Piloting the Impact of Classroom Observations for Pre-Service Teaching Practice Evaluation

Abstract

The Purpose of the Study. The focus of the current research was to investigate classroom observation as an effective tool for TP of pre-service teachers of English. The Research Methodology. The survey was conducted to analyze checklists designed by the authors of the article and completed (45 items) by pre-service teachers of English while developing their observation skills during teaching practice throughout the year 2023-2024. In the context of our piloting project pre-service teachers of English represent bachelor’s and master’s degree students majoring in 014 Secondary Education (Language and Literature (English)), T.H. Shevchenko National University "Chernihiv Colehium", Chernihiv, Ukraine. Two kinds of classroom observation checklists for bachelor students and three kinds of classroom observation checklists for master students were used to gather data. The checklists for bachelor students are focused to evaluate teacher’s behavior and learner’s behavior in the classroom environment according to certain criteria: rapport, dynamics, teacher talk, social-emotional support. The focus of the classroom observation checklist for master students was on their analytical and creative thinking development while they observed the growth of professional competence in the context of teacher planning and preparation, instruction, classroom environment. The Scientific Novelty. 45 checklists for classroom observation app were cross checked by pre-service teachers of masters degree level and their observers (university mentors) to analyze the checklists and define the evidence of data for classroom observation app. The Conclusion. The analysis of data suggested that classroom observation played a significant role in the year 2023-2024 in enhancing pre-service teachers’ English professional growth. They got real experience in TP while planning, conducting and evaluating their own English lessons of their peers and themselves. The analyzed data will be implemented while designing our classroom observation app. The further steps in the context of our investigation are to use the piloted checklists in classroom observation app design and issue the app.