MoHS Learning Activity: Teaching Habits
The first thing to recognize is that “instruction” is human behavior. As such, it is governed by habits. Most of the time these habits don’t change for two reasons: (1) teachers do not think about their instructional habits, and (2) teachers do not plan to change their habits. We have found teachers will not change their instructional practices unless they learn to reflect on their instructional habits and implement pedagogical lesson planning. STAR Learning Walks are a process by which teachers learn to observe other teachers for the purpose of reflecting on their own instructional practices. We have found that by creating a safe, reflective, respectful peer observation environment, teachers are eager to engage in instructional improvement efforts.
Instructional practices are difficult to change because they are related to human behavior and can only be changed through the voluntary commitment of individuals. Therefore, real changes in pedagogy do not occur as a result of top-down mandates or punitive evaluation systems. Rather change in behavior is inspired and occurs in a safe, non-threatening, and respectful environment. We believe teachers want to be the very best they can be; they just need the appropriate resources, supports, and structures in place to help them develop effective instructional habits.
True to the STAR Process, the PD Team wanted to establish a culture of camraderie and trust that we have never truly had here at Moanalua High School. As such, we have further placed these norms as we move towards that culture.
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This is a quick guide on the Learning Walk Process. All digital copies on this website can be accessed under the resources tab. Please use only for MoHS Professional Development activities as it is copyrighted. Moanalu Complex has funded the process so that we can utilize the resources available.
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