Lesson Study: Student-centered Professional Development

Lesson study is a brilliantly conceived professional development process. It has the potential to be nothing short of transformative in a school. 

One of the most appealing things to me about lesson study is that it is built on a foundation of common sense: teachers work together to help students learn better. Lesson study provides the medium and the structure for doing exactly that. By using it, practitioners learn to effectively combine the “why” with the "how" of teaching. Through the lesson study process, teachers become communities of learners; they become researchers into their own practice; they become expert observers of children; and as they deepen and enhance their teaching, they learn to think critically about pedagogy.

There have been passionate groups of lesson study advocates in the U.S. for quite some time and now lesson study is beginning to garner some wider recognition and gain some traction around the country. Why? Because it works. There's a growing body of research demonstrating the efficacy of lesson study, but no proof is as convincing as the words of educators themselves.

Before I share some quotes from lesson study practitioners, I want to point out the best and most important thing of all about lesson study:

IT'S ABOUT THE STUDENTS!

Here it is from teachers in Orange County, FL:

“It’s the best opportunity for learning…and also the best opportunity to work collaboratively with a group.” —Alexis Rapp

“…[it] changed the way I think of a professional learning community…” —Abby Bragg

“The best part about of it is working with the kids and not just hearing about ‘Ok when you go to your classroom this is what you need to do.’” —Felicia

See video and hear more from the teachers here.

Grady Carson is a materials developer at Developmental Studies Center