Observation Learning Log (IPT) TE107 TEIP5119

The IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase

Teaching (IPT) 1st Year
Observation Learning Log
2020

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Observation Learning Log (IPT) TE107 TEIP5119

Spending time in school, for the sole purpose of observing for learning is a critical component of any
teacher education programme. It allows you to map your theory to practice, learn from master
teachers, and plan your own identity as a beginner teacher. The observation tasks in this Log are
designed to help you have a more productive learning experience. The school is a complex community
that requires you to be skilled in the art of teaching, in interpersonal skills, administrative tasks, sport
and extra-curricular activities and a host of other responsibilities that will unfold during your time at
school. Be open to learning, engage with your mentor, observe, take notes and ask questions. There
is much to learn.

What follows in the Observation Learning Log are a number of focused observation tasks designed
to:

• Make you aware of the dynamics within a classroom.

• Be critical of teaching methodologies.
• Learn about classroom management.
• Understand the needs of your learners.
• Engage with the subject content and map it to CAPS
• Track the responsibilities of a teacher over the course of the school day.
• Cover all subjects regardless of whether or not they are part of your teaching subjects.

Be mindful of:

• Using vague generalities such as “nice lesson”, “interesting and well presented”
• Questioning the integrity of the decisions or instructions given by the school.
• Evaluating. You are here only to observe and learn.
• Passing judgement on your host school.
• Becoming overly familiar with staff or learners.

Guidelines on the Observation Learning Log.

• Each task must be numbered correctly, completed on a separate page, and submitted
sequentially.
• All work must be typed in Calibri font, size 11, with 1.5 spacing.
• You may take notes during your observation tasks but you CANNOT complete your Learning Log
during this time. This must be done outside of classroom time.
• You have been given tasks to complete. You may need to move some tasks around to
accommodate the school schedule but ensure that all tasks are completed. It has been paced
for you so that it a continuous process. The schedule appears in the Teaching Experience
Learning Log (TE108).
• This schedule covers a minimum number of formal tasks. You are expected to observe beyond
the minimum expectations. Some suggested activities to ensure a comprehensive school
experience could be to:
o Observe the impact of different classroom layouts on teaching and learning and consider
whether different subjects lend themselves to specific layouts.

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Observation Learning Log (IPT) TE107 TEIP5119

o Observe whether there are children who appear to experience difficulties in learning.
Think about how they could be accommodated within the current school context.

o Observe and track the daily activities of a Grade 4 learner to understand the learner
experience of school.
o Ask questions about school policies to gain insight into a few school procedures and how
these relate to school management.
• This Observation Learning Log must be submitted in your POE.

REMEMBER:

Remain gainfully and consciously engaged in all lessons as a support to the teachers and an
extension to your learning experience.

Here is a summary of tasks. Use it as a checklist and then as a Table of Contents for your Observation
Learning Log.

Task Completed Page Marks

✓ Number
1 Classroom Management 5
OBSERVATIONS

2 Planning for Teaching Experience 5

SECTION A
GENERAL

3 Recorded on Lesson Observation Template

A on page 5
SPECIFIC SUBJECT
OBSERVATIONS

3.1 Social Sciences 10

SECTION B

3.2 Mathematics 10
Recorded on Lesson Observation Template
B on page 8
3.4 English First /First Additional language 10
3.5 First Additional Language 10
Total 50

SECTION A: GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

1. Classroom management
1.1 Describe how the teacher uses the layout of the physical classroom to enhance teaching and
learning.
1.2 Describe the atmosphere that exists in the classroom.
1.3 Describe the culture of the classroom.
1.4 What classroom rules are in place to manage discipline and to provide a conducive environment
for learning?

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Observation Learning Log (IPT) TE107 TEIP5119

2. Planning for Teaching Experience

2.1 Discuss what you are expected to teach with the subject teachers of Social Sciences and
Mathematics. Document each subject and specific topic together with the desired learning
objectives for both the lessons that you are required to teach within each subject.
2.2 Discuss and write down the subject teacher’s expectations of you during this time.
2.3 Use the template below to organise your planning.
2.4 Draw up a teaching schedule for your two teaching subjects. This must be made available to
your mentor teacher in the first week of Teaching Experience. This schedule can be found in
TE108.

Subject Topic Lesson Objectives Teacher’s Expectations

Social Sciences
Lesson 1
Social Sciences
Lesson 2
Mathematics
Lesson 1
Mathematics
Lesson 2
Lesson presented
to The IIE
Supervisor

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Observation Learning Log (IPT) TE107 TEIP5119

SECTION B: SPECIFIC SUBJECT OBSERVATIONS

A. LESSON OBSERVATION RECORD FOR

(Social Sciences and Mathematics for TE107) (Natural Science and Technology for TE108)

Obse rve and re cord (on the te mpl ate provi de d) at l e ast ONE l e sson pre se nted by your
me ntor te ache r i n e ach of the fol l owi ng subjects: Soci al Sci e nce s and Mathe mati cs (for
TE107) and two l e ssons for Natural Sci e nce and Te chnol ogy (for TE108)

NAME OF STUDENT:________________________________STUDENT NUMBER:_________________

Date of lesson Subject (CAPS)

Grade Topic
Number of learners
Duration

CAPS Specific Focus:

L e sson Obj ectives:

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to…

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LESSON DEVELOPMENT:

INTRODUCTORY PHASE

How did the teacher get learners motivated, curious and ready to learn?

How did the teacher introduce the topic?

How did the teacher provide a sense of direction by outlining the lesson objectives?

TEACHING AND LEARNING PHASE

What content did the teacher cover?

What teaching strategy/s did the teacher use?

Did this/these strategy/s suit the content? Say why.

Was the lesson effectively paced?

CLOSURE PHASE:
How did the teacher draw the lesson to a close and prepare learners for the next lesson?

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNERS
What assessment techniques, if any, did the teacher use to assess learning?

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS: (answer the following questions to evaluate the success of the lesson)

Describe aspects of the lesson that worked really well.

Re-visit the lesson objectives. Where they achieved? Briefly discuss your answer.

What did you learn about the learners?

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B. LESSON OBSERVATION RECORD FOR

English First / First Additional Language and
First Additional Language – Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Northern Sotho, Setswana

Obse rve and re cord (on the te mpl ate provi de d) at l e ast ONE l e sson pre se nted by your
me ntor/maste r te ache r i n e ach of the fol l owing subje cts: Engl i sh Fi rst and Fi rst
Addi ti onal Language and Fi rst Addi ti onal Language – Afri kaans, i si Zul u, i si Xhosa,
Northe rn Sotho, Se tswana)

Subject
Topic
Date

Document your detailed comments on the observation lesson below.

1. Appropriate teaching
strategy for content
being taught

2. Use of additional
learning materials

3. Extent of learner
engagement in the
lesson

4. Teacher’s classroom
management style

5. Use of assessment to
determine learning and
future planning

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MARKING RUBRICS

A. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
1. Classroom Management (5 marks)

Score 0-1 2 3 4 5
Criteria Poor An attempt A fair attempt A good Insightful
observation made to to answer the response to the responses that
skills, with answer the questions and questions that exhibits deep
little or no questions but shows some shows understanding
evidence that lacks sincere insight but understanding of the dynamics
the student observation insufficient to of the questions that contribute
observed the and uses showcase but lacks some to effective
lessons with generic their learning depth. classroom
intent to answers. from this management.
answer the observation
relevant task.
questions.

2. Planning for Teaching Experience (5 marks)

Score 0-1 2 3 4 5
Criteria No/little Evidence of Student did Good Excellent
evidence of planning but it engage documentation evidence of
discussions to appears to have with the with adequate organisational
prepare for been done mentor evidence of planning,
Teaching retrospectively. teacher but forward insightful
Experience. there are planning. thinking, and a
Appears that lapses in plan that shows
the student elements of forward
was fielding the tasks. thinking.
each day as it
came.

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Observation Learning Log (IPT) TE107 TEIP5119

B. SUBJECT-SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS:

TEMPLATE A: LESSON OBSERVATION RECORD. The same marking rubric should be used for the
following:

1. Social Sciences (for TE107)

2. Mathematics (for TE107)
3. Natural Science and Technology (for TE108)

Sc ore 0-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 - 10

Criteria Possible Responses are A reasonably Record is A comprehensive
responses done complete but complete complete in and complete
retrospectively lack credibility, record of the every regard record of the
without being depth and lesson and the observed lesson.
present in the insightful observation student has Student obviously
lesson observation. with mediocre obviously understands the
Or Reflection is documentary engaged in the structure of the
Minimal/abrupt insincere. responses that observation lesson, makes
responses done in that lack depth. process. The valuable
haste with no responses are commentary with
evidence of insightful powerful
sincere though missing reflection.
observation and some elements
documentation. of the required
responses.

TEMPLATE B: LESSON OBSERVATION RECORD: The same marking rubric to be used for:
1. English First /First Additional Language
2. First Additional Language (Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Northern Sotho, Setswana)
Score 0-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
Criteria Possible Responses A fairly Record is A
responses done are complete complete complete in comprehensive
retrospectively but lack record of the every regard and complete
without being credibility, lesson and the record of the
present in the depth and observation student has observed
lesson insightful with mediocre obviously lesson. Student
Or observation. documentary engaged in obviously
Minimal/abrupt responses that the understands the
responses done that lack observation structure of the
in haste with no depth. process. The lesson, makes
evidence of responses valuable
sincere are insightful commentary
observation and though and there is
documentation. missing some evidence of
elements of learning from
the required observation.
responses.

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