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​ Sarah Roberts

​Linda Dias Mobilio

EDTE 255

Formal Observation #1

My video observations have given me great insight on effective environments for

learning. Looking at the commonalities between the video observations specific seating

arrangement seemed to be an aspect all of the classes had in common. In the majority of classes

students were placed in table groups. In these table groups students were strategically placed and

would work together to complete a task. I observed that all of the classes in the younger grades

K-5 were placed in table groups while the middle school level classes were not. I think the

younger grades were in table groups because it was more effective for behavioral control in the

classroom. The students were able to work better by collaborating and were more engaged in the

material. The video ​Analyzing Text by Engaging in Meaningful Discussion​ (Chapter 4)​ ​was a

middle school group set up in a socratic seminar. I think this was a great way for students to

learn at this age group but it would have been chaotic if done in a first or second grade

classroom.

The use of routines and a set schedule was very effective in creating a productive

learning environment. This was more beneficial in the younger grades. For example in the video

Analyzing, Interpreting, and Judging Artworks Produced by the Works Progress Administration

(Chapter 1) the teacher starts off the class by explaining what they were going to do for the

activity step by step. For younger students I think knowing the outcome of an activity and how

many steps it will take is important. Younger kids are constantly asking questions such as “how
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much longer” or “are we almost done”. Having a set schedule set out for them in the beginning

gives them the confidence they need to get through the assignment.

Furthermore, there were many effective instructional strategies used in the videos I

observed. The most common throughout was use of different learning styles in the lessons. For

example in the videos on ​The History of Schooling in America​ (Chapter 3) ESL learners had

many different ways to learn the material. They were able to learn visually by looking at pictures

on the board. Next they were able to learn by listening and repeating verbally. In the lesson

Identifying Letter Names and Articulating the Corresponding Letter Sounds Through

Multi-Sensory Activities​ (Chapter 5) students also were instructed through different learning

styles. For example they used logical-mathematical learning by connecting the sentence into the

story and the character in the worksheet. Next they used interpersonal learning by explaining

what they learned to the group and presenting their own knowledge. In addition all of the

teachers I observed used facial and hand gestures to explain content. They were excited about the

lesson they were teaching and as a result the students were excited as well. I also noticed that in

all of the videos the moral was high. Students liked working with each other and there were no

noticeable issues.

The teachers I observed used effective assessment strategies to determine student success.

For example in the observation on ​Identifying Letter Names and Articulating the Corresponding

Letter Sounds Through Multi-Sensory Activities​ the instructor was constantly giving little checks

to make sure the students understood the information. She sat in the middle of a small table

group and let each student share individually. After each student shared she would help correct

them or applaud them for answering correctly. The same strategy was used with the ESL
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learners. The instructor was continually checking up on the students and clarifying if they were

stuck but also rewarding them if they were correct.

Creating an effective classroom is one of my main goals as a future teacher. One thing I

will take with me is seating arrangement. Different table groups and even the way the socratic

seminar was set up gave me a better idea on how important this aspect is. Next constantly

moving around the room and checking in on my students is something I learned from the videos.

The only thing I will do differently in my future classroom is to use more technology aspects.

The switch to online has made me realize how important it is to get students comfortable with

using technology. I personally had many takeaways from observing these videos.