Watch how others react to what you’re observing. This can be a gauge to determine how effective they are depending on positive or negative responses. Avoid engaging in any other activities when observing. For example, put your smartphone away, turn off music, and don’t chat with the people around you. Don’t think about anything not related to whatever it is you are observing.
Use a journal to record your observations. For example, if you’re observing someone teach, make notes about what they do. If the person you’re observing verbally repeats what they’re writing on a whiteboard, write that down. It may be a technique you’ll want to mimic later. Write in shorthand, use abbreviations, or utilize some other sort of system so your notetaking will be efficient and will convey what you are observing. Type or re-type your notes later, this will help you retain the information you learned. [4] X Research source
Watch for repetitions in their behavior, thinking patterns, or actions. Ask yourself why they may perform those actions repeatedly, since they are usually done for an important reason. The more you observe, the better. Every observation will help you learn more about whatever it is you’re watching.
Write a short summary of what you observed. For instance, if you observed someone else teaching, you should write a summary of how they taught. Make sure to consult your notes when you write your summary. When writing your summary, consider writing something like “Nancy gave the lesson while showing relevant pictures. She then passed out a handout and walked her students through the directions. Afterward, Nancy walked around the room answering questions and instructing as her students worked in groups. " Talk to someone about what you observed. For instance, if you observed someone teaching, talk to that person about what you saw. Describe how they taught and the things they did that were effective.
Make sure you have all the materials and resources that you need to reproduce whatever it is you observed. For example, if Nancy used an overhead projector, a whiteboard, and a handout, make sure you have those materials, too. Ensure that you have the proper time to reproduce what you saw. Try to see if the person you observed can be present when you reproduce what they did. That way, they can guide you along through the process. For example, if you observed someone teaching, see if they can sit in on your classroom for the day. [7] X Research source
Create a structured and well-planned lesson about whatever it is you observed. Carefully explain, in steps, what you learned. For example, if you’re instructing people how to teach, explain to them basic principles and steps involved in teaching. Answer any questions the people you are instructing might have.
Consider the 1977 book ‘’Self-Efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change’’ by Albert Bandura. Read “Observational Learning: Evidence from Randomized Natural Field Experiment” by Hongrin Cai, Yuyu Chen, and Hanming Fang. Consider ‘’Opening Doors to Equity: A Practical Guide to Observation-Based Professional Learning’’ by Tonya Ward Singer. Singer’s book focuses on observation and learning in the education profession.
Go to educational conferences. Depending on the conference, they might have panels or speakers that will address observational learning. See speakers in your area who speak on the subject. To find useful events, use an internet search engine to search for “educational conferences” or “observational learning speakers. " Scroll through the results to find events in your area.
Consider classes on behaviorism, which focuses observing human behavior and drawing conclusions. Programs that might offer relevant classes include education, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and the sciences.
