Clarity on the Purpose of Lesson Study

This entry is a result of a question posed by Jia Min when we had the first Lesson Study session.

In the midst of discussing about team formation, she asked for clarity, what exactly are we looking to accomplish with Lesson Study.

There I was, dizzy with the fervour of trying to get the whole Lesson Study engine started, just re-emphasized the idea of teacher professional development. Even after the session, my soul was not satisfied with my own answer. I rewatched a Lesson Study intro video and re-read a couple of Lesson Study materials just to appease my own quest for clarity.

So, here it is: What on earth are we trying to accomplish through Lessson Sudy.

Lesson Study, in essence, only has one primary purpose: to investigate how best to instruct our pupils so that they may achieve long-term and short-term goals. Long-term goals usually include some form of character development or habits of thinking. Short-term goals are mainly content goals or skills related to specific topics or concepts.

It is in the course of the pursuit to design and conduct the "best"-fit lesson that we, as teachers, get professionlly developed. This pursuit often requires us to revisit our pre-conceptions on curriculum content and pedagogical approaches. At the end of the cycle, we become better teachers because our instructions have been well-thought through to get our pupils to learn effectively.

Only 1 lesson cannot dramatically turn a mediocre teacher to become a master teacher; but Lesson Study has an effect of making us better than we were before. Sub-consciously, the experience of discussing, designing, observing our design in action (succeeding or failing), reflecting, shapes the way we think, say and act when we meet our class in our many other thousand lessons when the Lesson Study cycle is long completed.

That to me, is the magic of Lesson Study.

Yes, Lesson Study is a simple idea which is complex to implement well (similar to Invitational Education). That probably is the magic of it; and that's probably why I found it initially tongue-tied to explain clearly to Jia Min and the rest of the P5 teachers.

Jia Min has already the first step in the spirit of Lesson Study by asking difficult questions.
The time is now and upon us to do the same.

Will you?

Mun Wai

"The Hour of Change has and always will be upon us; it's our choice to bring change and to make a difference. The hour and minute hands do not shape the times and bring change. It's our hands of clay which create the times and bring change." - mine

A First Update to all teaching staff 2009

Dear all

This is my first update on Lesson Study in SKPS. I will attempt to do this update on email and on my Lesson Study blog: http://skpslessonstudy2009.blogspot.com/

There are just 2 points for us to take note.

First of all, I would like to share with everyone the school's adopted Research Theme (main goal of Lesson Study) for 2009.

Through Cooperative Learning structures and/or ICT resources, we aim to support our pupils' growth in one or more of the following Social-Emotional Competencies:(a) Self-awareness, (b) Self-Management, (c) Social Awareness, (d) Responsible Decision-Making, and/or (e) Relationship Management.

The Research Theme's focus is on the integration of SE competencies in our Research Lesson. I have also included CL and ICT to align Lesson Study with two of the school's Key Strategies to achieve All-Round Excellence (Strategic Thrust 1).

Secondly, the size of Level-based Lesson Study teams will be based on your choice.

Originally, I had explained that each level should form teams of no more than 5 members each. This is to ensure that there are opportunities for everyone to participate in discussions during Lesson Study sessions. However, since some of the levels have expressed the desire to form teams of 8 members, I have considered their requests and have granted them the go-ahead. This is to allow all of us to settle down in the processes of Lesson Study, so that our focus will solely be on our pupils' learning and our professional development and not be distracted by the concern for work overload.

For more information, please tune in to the mentioned blog.

Thank you very much for your attention.
Remember, find your passion and follow your heart!

Your friendly Lesson Study Zealot,Mun Wai

Research Theme for SKPS Lesson Study 2009

Before the close of the school year 2008, we all went through some discussions on the Research Theme we will be adopting for all the teams.

A Research Theme is the main aim of the Lesson Study process. It usually embodies long-term goals like pupil qualities and/or habits of mind; and short-term goals like content goals.

We reflected on the desired qualities in our pupils and the actual qualities and noted some gaps between the ideal and reality.

I have condensed all our thoughts and proposed the following Research Theme, including some new input from the ICT and Pupil Development Departments.

Through Cooperative Learning structures and/or ICT resources, we aim to support our pupils' growth in one or more of the following Social-Emotional Competencies:(a) Self-awareness, (b) Self-Management, (c) Social Awareness, (d) Responsible Decision Making, and/or (e) Relationship Management.

If there is any feedback, please email me at chew_mun_wai@moe.edu.sg or you may leave your comments on the blog.

Thanks

Mun Wai

Seng Kang Primary Lesson Study 2009

Hello hello

Welcome to LS @ SKPS 2009.

In this blog, you may receive notices, updates and reflections on Lesson Study for this year. So, stay in tune...

Ciao

Mun Wai