In the busy life of a teacher, finding time for reflection can be tough. However, self-observation — especially through video recording — offers a simple but powerful way to boost your teaching practice.
Recording your lessons allows you to step back and objectively review your teaching methods, student engagement, and classroom management. Much like athletes watch game footage to improve, teachers can use video to spot strengths and identify areas for development.
How to Get Started with Video Self-Observation:
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Set a Focus: Choose one element to observe — like how you question students or manage transitions.
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Review Honestly: Watch without judgment. Notice both effective moments and missed opportunities.
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Get a Second Opinion: Sharing clips with a trusted colleague can bring fresh insights.
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Take Action: Set small, achievable goals based on your observations.
Why It Works:
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Increased Self-Awareness: You’ll spot habits and patterns you might miss in the moment.
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Improved Strategies: Seeing yourself in action highlights what works and what needs tweaking.
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Continuous Growth: Self-observation builds a habit of reflection and professional learning.
By building video review into your professional development, you empower yourself to make smarter, lasting improvements — and ultimately, to better support your students.
For more ideas and practical tips, check out the full guide by Jon Tait at SecEd here.