Ghost Walks: A Fresh Take on Teacher-to-Teacher Observations
Ghost Walks: A Fresh Take on Teacher-to-Teacher Observations
October 12, 2023|Education
We often hear about teachers wanting to observe other teachers to gain new ideas, but the all-too-common barrier of time rings like an ominous bell at midnight. But, have you ever tried ghost walks? What better time of year than October to try out this approach to sharing ideas among teachers.
Disclaimer: The excerpt on Ghost Walks from PLC+ Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design (2020), was entered into Open AI and the article below is a result of the AI-generated content, with some tweaking from us. Technology is amazing.
Exploring "Ghost Walks" in PLCs: A Journey into Classroom Observations
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, professional learning communities (PLCs) are at the forefront of fostering collaboration and innovation among educators. PLC+ Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design by Fisher, Frey, Almarode, Flories, and Nagel (2020) introduces an intriguing concept known as "Ghost Walks," which offers a unique perspective on conducting learning walks within PLC+ teams.
Ghost Walks: Unveiling a New Approach
Ghost walks, as described in the book, provide an inventive way for team members to explore classroom observations. This approach is particularly valuable for teams that are new to learning walks or those looking for a fresh angle to enhance their professional development.
What Are Ghost Walks?
Ghost walks involve visiting classrooms when the students are not in the room, making the primary focus on the physical environment rather than the teaching and learning activities. Teachers within a PLC make their classrooms available during a prep period, and in return, they participate in these ghost walks. The main objective is to foster dialogue and reflection about the classroom's setup, organization, and its impact on teaching and learning.
A Real-Life Example
To illustrate the effectiveness of ghost walks, consider the case of Baldwin Elementary School. The school had a specific focus on improving the communication of learning intentions and success criteria to students, especially with emerging readers. In this scenario, teachers in the primary grades PLC decided to use a ghost walk to gain insights into how their colleagues accomplished this goal.
The Benefits of Ghost Walks in PLC
Non-Intrusive Observation: Ghost walks are non-threatening and non-intrusive, making them ideal for teachers who may be apprehensive about being observed in a traditional sense. By focusing on the classroom environment, it provides a more comfortable starting point for teachers to participate in peer observations.
Reflection on Physical Environment: This approach allows for an in-depth examination of the physical aspects of a classroom, such as seating arrangements, displays, organization, and materials. These elements can significantly impact the teaching and learning experience, and the ghost walk offers a platform for constructive discussions.
Collective Learning: Ghost walks encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among teachers. The discussions that follow these observations often lead to innovative ideas and best practices for classroom setup and design.
Promoting Transparency: By making their own classrooms available for ghost walks, teachers demonstrate transparency and openness in their professional growth. This helps create a culture of trust and mutual support within the PLC.
Conclusion
Ghost walks, as introduced in PLC+ Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design, provide an alternative lens through which educators can conduct learning walks. These walks focus on the physical classroom environment, offering a fresh perspective and a valuable starting point for discussions within PLC+ teams. Ghost walks not only promote reflection on classroom design but also foster collaboration and the sharing of best practices, ultimately leading to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
References:
Frey, N., Almarode, J., Flories, K., & Nagel, D. (2020). Ghost Walks. In PLC+: Better Decisions and greater impact by design. essay, Corwin.
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (September 25 Version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
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