Classroom observation tool
Improving teaching quality is critical to addressing the global learning crisis. To better understand teaching quality and to influence policies and practices, it is important to look at what is happening in the classroom.
ACER has developed this training package to assist education researchers and practitioners in conducting classroom observations to gather evidence of teaching practices. It supports the use of a purpose-built classroom observation tool we designed to conduct research into teaching practice as part of the introduction of new primary curricula. The tool targets the early grades of primary education in low- and middle-income countries.
Purpose
The classroom observation tool can serve multiple purposes. At a systems level, it can help countries track changes in teaching practices, target professional learning and inform associated investments and policies. At a school level, the tool can be used for teacher support and development.
The tool is accompanied by a training package to support observer training, data collection and data analysis. It includes a User Guide and classroom video footage to help train observers.
How to use the training package
The User Guide provides detailed information on how to use the classroom observation tool and guidelines for a training program. Classroom videos have also been developed specifically for this training package. The User Guide provides instructions on how to best use the 2 classroom videos for training.
We recommend that those designing, overseeing and coordinating observation initiatives consult the User Guide before reviewing the tool and videos.
Classroom videos
The classroom videos are 2 consecutive Grade 2 Language and Communication (literacy) lessons, captured over 2 days. The videos are between 55 and 65 minutes in length. The teacher uses French as the primary language of instruction, and Bislama at times.
Lesson 1:
Grade 2 Language and Communication lesson, Vanuatu
In Lesson 1, students revise letter sounds before the teacher introduces a new sound and associated words.
Lesson 2:
Grade 2 Language and Communication lesson, Vanuatu
In Lesson 2, the teacher works with the students to construct a narrative from a series of pictures from a story.
About
This project forms part of the Education Analytics Service Teacher Development Multi-Year Studies, conducted by ACER. The studies were commissioned by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to better understand the effectiveness of its teaching and learning investments in 3 countries: Vanuatu, Lao PDR and Timor-Leste.
The classroom videos were filmed with support from DFAT and the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training. We thank the principal, teachers and students of Anambrou School in Port Vila for participating in this project.
Discover more about the Teacher
Development Multi-Year Studies
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26 June 2024
Understanding how teacher professional learning supports education reform
New ACER research has found that teacher professional learning has positively impacted teaching quality and student engagement in Vanuatu.
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31 July 2023
Investigating the impact of education reforms in Timor-Leste
New ACER research has found that school leader and teacher professional learning is helping to support curriculum reforms in Timor-Leste.
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22 November 2023
Understanding the impact of teacher development programs
A multi-year study has found students are more engaged in the classroom following the introduction of a new curriculum in Lao PDR.
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04 July 2024
What is needed to improve teacher professional development initiatives?
A multi-year, multi-country study in the Indo-Pacific region has identified strategies that can help shape future teacher professional development initiatives.
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20 February 2023
Lessons learned on research methodologies from assessing teaching quality
Over the past 5 years, the Australian Government’s Education Analytics Service has applied an adaptative approach to its multi-year study series, and has discovered valuable lessons on methodologies for future education research.
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09 September 2022
Emerging themes in teacher development
What we learned about improving education from monitoring teacher development investments in 3 countries.
Learn more about our work to drive equity and quality in learning.
