Are Walkthroughs Just for the Classroom?

Today, I will be doing a walkthrough with my custodian and lead maintenance rep from the district.  This got me thinking.  Are there other areas I should be looking at besides the learning that is happening in the classrooms?  The obvious answer is yes.  The more difficult question is how to track and share that info with the staff (custodians, cafeteria staff, secretaries, EA’s, TA’s, and other abbreviationsJ). 

Today, despite the bigger question, I am going to focus on what areas we should be walking through.  In my next post, I will discuss some thoughts and ideas on how to track and share that data.

·         Before school bus, cafeteria, and playground areas:  As an administrator, it is important that you walkthrough and see these areas throughout the year.  Many students will face conflict issues because there is a higher concentration of students in unstructured time over a larger area.

·         Passing time:  Go out and see how kids walk in the hall.  Are they following the protocols taught at the beginning of the year?  Are they being safe?  Does staff watch the halls?  Are bathroom areas monitored?

·         Recess/Lunch:  Check the lunch line and drop off procedures.  Also, look at how students are dismissed from the cafeteria.  Is it orderly and safe?  Are students being responsible?  Do they have enough time to eat?  Once outside, are rules posted for games and different play structures?  When the bell rings, do students line up safely?  Are teachers picking up students in a timely manner? 

·         The Office:  What is the expectation for customer service at the front desk?  Is there an expectation for how the phone is answered?  Do visitors get recognized quickly?  What is the sign-in procedure for your school? 

·         After School:  This is the most confusing time of the day.  Kids that should have rode a bus end up walking with a friend, or parents forgot that someone else was picking up.  Therefore, it is imperative that there are clear expectations that are being followed through at the end of the day.  Also, be sure that pick-up procedures are communicated to parents. 

·         Safety Walkthrough:  This is the area that got me thinking…be sure to walkthrough with your lead custodian.  First, safety issues need to identified and fixed.  Next, look for issues that are making it hard for teachers to do their jobs.  Finally, identify cosmetic fixes that need to be taken care of…staff, students, and parents want to have pride in their school no matter the age. 

Please feel free to comment on areas that may have been missed and/or your thoughts.  I selected these areas because of safety and the effect on the culture of the school.  This is by no means a complete list, but it should get the creative juices flowing. 

Walkthrough Tools

Here is a list of walkthrough tools available for the iPad.  Many of these applications have android, netbook/laptop, and iphone options available. 

• iWalkObservation is the tool that I am currently using.  It is created by a principal, and he is quick to support his product.  Several tools come with the standard application, however districts/schools can request custom options for a fee.  The product I purchased was $79 dollars and requires that the user have Filemaker Go.
• eCOVE is another tool that has been around for a long time.  I have known principals that have used the laptop version in the past.  It has a long history, however I have not used to product myself.  If any readers have used it, please post a comment.  This program cost $299 and does offer discounts for larger purchases.
• Teachscape is available in the app store for free, but I believe you have to observe or attend a seminar to actually access and store walkthrough data.  It is not a bad idea to consider the cost of professional development when purchasing a program.  I am unsure of the cost of this application. 
• GoObserve is available on the app store for a free trial, but the full cost is $149.95 to purchase.  I have very little knowledge of the program.
• Observation 360 is another product that displays as a free app, but a subscription must be purchased to use the product. 

It is clear that there are several products out there, but knowing which one to purchase can be a daunting task.  If you have used one of these products, please post comments/reviews...or, if you know of another product, please post about it in the comments. 

At this time, I am not aware of a quality product that is free.  If you have an Apple computer and Filemaker Go, the following link will direct you toward a precreated sheet that might meet your needs.

Getting Started

I am a third year elementary principal in a school of almost 600 students.  Like most, I believe that the most important thing I can do is be in classrooms observing instruction and interacting with students.  The best discussions I have with teachers about student learning happen because of being in the classroom and having a conversation about the learning that has taken place.  However, starting that conversation can be difficult.  Here are some tips and ideas for classroom walkthroughs based on my experiences...please feel free to respond by adding your thoughts, challenging mine, or asking questions.

1. Just do it!  First, get out of your office and visit classrooms.  Even if you have no formal observation tool or schedule.  Just like eating right or working out, you first have to just start the process.  If you wait until the perfect moment, you will never start.
2. Look for positives.  If you have not been in classrooms on a regular basis in the past, it is important to develop trust with your staff that you are not out looking for something wrong.  Bring note cards or sticky notes and point out something positive. 
3. Let your staff know what you will be looking for as you do your walk-abouts.  Once you have started getting out on a regular basis, create or find a walkthrough tool that gives them an idea of what you are looking for when you visit.  I use iwalkobservation for the iPad.  This tool has several pre-created tools to use and sends an email to the teacher before you even leave the class. 
4. When I use my observation tool, I tend to ask reflective questions instead of pointing out concerns (however, there are times that certain issues need immediate direction).  I have already let my staff know that they do not have to answer the quesitons, they are just reflective.  Also, I remind them that I am in the classroom for only a portion of the lesson, so I realize that my question is a result of a limited observation...but it is still a thought, so they can respond if they want.  I have had the best discussions in response to these reflective quesitons. 

This is not complete list of what a walkthrough entails...like how often, how long, or other walkthrough tools.  If you have tips or tools you use for providing feedback, please share them.