FAQs
Quality Teaching Rounds has many features that distinguish it from other forms of observational rounds.
| Quality Teaching Rounds | Other Rounds |
| Full lesson observations | Walkthroughs, short observations |
| Observing each other | Observing others |
| Focus on comprehensive set of lesson aspects | Focus on one or a small number of lesson aspects |
| Must involve observed teacher in discussion | May involve observed teacher in discussion |
| Consistent membership throughout a full set of rounds | Group membership may change |
| Observation and analysis framed by QT Model | Observation and analysis often restricted to individual perceptions |
| Confidentiality required of group members | Confidentiality not necessarily addressed |
| Respects teachers’ capacity to analyse and refine their own practice | Often involves mentoring or coaching |
| Flattens power hierarchy | Typically relies on a facilitator |
| Focuses on classroom practice and student learning | May focus on whole school/jurisdiction priorities beyond the classroom |
Participation in Quality Teaching Rounds can be used as self-directed professional learning hours for teachers in all states and jurisdictions.
For teachers in NSW and the ACT, the foundational Quality Teaching Rounds workshop is accredited for 10 hours of registered professional learning with NESA and TQI. Participation in Quality Teaching Rounds at school can be logged as teacher identified professional development (TIPD) for the purposes of maintaining accreditation.
Quality Teaching Rounds is highly effective professional development suitable for all school contexts.
Teachers from across school contexts have attended our workshops and successfully implemented QTR in their schools. During the workshop participants receive practical guidance on strategies for QTR implementation, and our Quality Teaching Rounds Advisers are available to assist in planning for your specific school context.
Schools overwhelming report that Quality Teaching Rounds strengthens other teaching and learning initiatives. QTR provides a powerful process through which teachers and school leaders can analyse and reflect on such initiatives.
For example, a professional learning community could decide to observe lessons that all focus on the school literacy strategy or the use of digital technologies in the classroom. Participation in QTR will yield fresh insights into how well such initiatives are functioning.
To introduce Quality Teaching Rounds in your school, at least two teachers should attend a two-day QTR foundational workshop. The workshop provides attendees with the knowledge, skills, and resources to implement QTR in their schools.
QTR Digital offers an approach to conducting Rounds that takes into account the unique challenges faced in many small, rural and remote school settings. In QTR Digital, teachers use online tools to engage in professional learning communities with colleagues from different schools. Completing the QTR foundational workshop is the first step to engaging with QTR Digital.
Our research has demonstrated impressive results for teachers and students from just one set of Rounds. However, teachers value the experience so much that we recommend QTR is embedded in the school’s ongoing professional development plan, ideally supporting teachers to engage in Rounds every couple of years.
We recommend schools evaluate the impact of Quality Teaching Rounds using both qualitative and quantitative data. Examples of ways that schools can evaluate the impact of QTR include:
- Surveying teachers before and after participation in QTR
- Analysing teacher and student data you may already collect within your school setting
- Tracking the number of teachers taking part in QTR over time
- Gathering detailed feedback from QTR participants through focus groups or interviews
The Academy also provides a range of services to support evaluation.
The two-day foundational workshop is designed to thoroughly prepare participants to implement QTR in their schools. We advise that at least one teacher in the school engages in subsequent QTR professional learning every two years. The Academy offers a suite of professional development opportunities to support teachers and school leaders to refresh and deepen their knowledge.
