Videotaping: A Tool for Teachers

(Please note that this Study Group has been changed to an school-based Study Group—only teachers from Legacy Charter School may apply for this Study Group.)

Coach: Lara M. Levine, Legacy Charter School
Adaptable for grade levels: PreK-8
Key Subject Area(s): Interdisciplinary

Study Group Teaching Method Description:

Explore your classroom instruction from a new angle!  Videotaping is a valuable tool in effective lesson reflection and it has the power to exponentially improve one’s teaching practice overall. This Study Group will help teachers bring their instruction to a whole new level, demonstrating ways to collaboratively work with other teachers in order to examine and improve instruction.

Watching a videotape of oneself is an extremely valuable experience since it allows teachers to view and listen to their instruction in the classroom as the students do.  Videotaping can be utilized in the evaluation of student reactions and responses to a project or a lesson. By analyzing a videotape of the dynamics in the classroom, teachers can check the accuracy of their perceptions regarding their instructional effectiveness, and can also identify the techniques that work and those that need revamping. Additionally, this teaching method was designed with the idea that teacher professional growth can best be fostered through sustained collaborative inquiry between teachers. In this Study Group, each teacher will have the opportunity to self-select a lesson for videotaping, with each teacher’s videotaped lesson serving as the focus for a study group meeting and discussion on steps necessary to improve the lesson.  Members of this Study Group will learn how to share feedback, accept constructive criticisms and praise, and ultimately implement more effective and meaningful classroom lessons.

Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks:

This teaching method addresses many Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks, as it is up to each study group member to select the area of instruction he or she will videotape.  The following State Standards and Benchmarks are some that could be addressed:

State Goal 1: Read with understanding and fluency

State Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations

State Goal 24: Promote and enhance health and well-being through the use of effective communication and decision-making skills

Social-Emotional Learning Goal 3: Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.
About the Coach:


Lara Levine teaches third grade at Legacy Charter School. Lara began her teaching career with Teach for America in New Orleans, Louisiana, before receiving a master’s degree at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Lara’s leadership experiences include training and supporting incoming Teach for America candidates, coaching Girls on the Run, and participating in CFE’s Study Group program—all of which have helped her develop the leadership and collaboration skills to be a Study Group Coach.

Meeting Times:

The Study Group meeting schedules are determined together at the Study Group Program Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2009.

(Please note that only teachers from Legacy Charter may apply for this Study Group.)