Enriching Instruction via Sustained Self-Observation

The benefits of recording teacher performance for purposes of reflection and analysis has long been recognized in ELT (see Richards & Lockhart, 1996; Farrell, 2015) and in general education (see Tripp, 2010). Between June 5th to November 22nd 2024, I engaged in self-observation with subsequent reflection and analysis of a blend of audio and video recordings from 15 different lessons

Christopher Miller

Abstract

The benefits of recording teacher performance for purposes of reflection and analysis has long been recognized in ELT (see Richards & Lockhart, 1996; Farrell, 2015) and in general education (see Tripp, 2010). Between June 5th to November 22nd 2024, I engaged in self-observation with subsequent reflection and analysis of a blend of audio and video recordings from 15 different lessons. I will discuss the procedures for engaging in self-observation and subsequent reflection, perceived benefits of sustained self-observation, modifications of teaching performance partially triggered by the act of self-observation and the limitations of such an approach. Perceived benefits included greater awareness of multiple aspects of teaching performance, activating and strengthening professional knowledge bases, creating a space for reflection and making implicit theories explicit.

Keywords

self-observation; reflective practice; recording; teacher development

How to cite

Miller, C. (2025). Enriching instruction via sustained self-observation. ELT Classroom Research Journal, 2(1), 58-41.

Link

https://eltcrj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ELTCRJv2i1_Miller.pdf

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