Best Foot Forward: Video Observation Toolkit

A rubric to assess how successfully you are able to filter out noisy or distracting details and focus on your instructional practices during self-reflection.

A self-guided module for analyzing videos of your own instruction.

Research findings from the Best Foot Forward project regarding how video technology may be an effective tool for efforts to improve instruction by increasing peer observation and support.

Considerations to start building a video club in your school or district

A description of the protocol and requirements for the Teacher Rounds process

Summaries of additional research about the use and structure of video clubs in schools across the country

Four strategies to help teachers have an aha moment in virtual coaching experiences

Tips from a Teachstone blogger about focusing the feedback conversation while using video

Reflections from TNTP on effective virtual coaching based on experience working with Best Foot Forward participants

Tools for holding introductory and regular coaching conversations, courtesy of the MQI Coaching Project at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University

Tools for holding introductory and regular coaching conversations, courtesy of the MQI Coaching Project at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University

Tools for holding introductory and regular coaching conversations, courtesy of the MQI Coaching Project at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University

A list of companies and organizations that provide remote coaching services for teachers. *Please note that this does not constitute an endorsement of any products or services.

Information about the Best Foot Forward project and how video stacked up against in-person observations in an evaluation system regarding both improvements and challenges

PowerPoint presentation from the Best Foot Forward project focusing on the mechanisms by which video improves the feedback conversation in an evaluation

PowerPoint presentation from the Best Foot Forward project focusing on the impacts of teacher video choice on the fairness and reliability of observation scores

A glimpse at video as an advanced evaluation tool offering more depth to teachers and administrators, from District Administration

A list of online collections of classroom video 

A template letter to teachers highlighting the benefits of using video for classroom observations and evaluation, as well as responses to possible concerns over privacy

Checklist of the important steps to take when implementing video

Sample teacher form that can be customized for use in your district and that allows teachers to select what level of video observation they would like to implement

Sample agreement from a district using video; can be used as a reference when discussing video with your teachers’ union

A list of frequently asked questions that you can share with students’ parents

Slides that can be customized to inform parents about video observations and what it means for the students involved

Sample forms that can be customized for your context

Sample forms that can be customized for your context

Tools from YouTube to conveniently blur faces in a video

A guide to matching video equipment to your goals

A description of different types of microphones and their best uses

A guide to platforms that can be used for reviewing classroom videos

A checklist to ensure your infrastructure is in place before teachers and administrators start using the technology

An organizational chart to streamline support for users

Advice for making the most of your collaboration with tech vendors

A template letter to teachers highlighting the benefits of using video for classroom observations and evaluation, as well as responses to possible concerns over privacy

A sample lesson plan for a training for teachers and principals on using video for formal observations

Some how-to videos for using video technology in the classroom from the MTTS Study

A high-level checklist to identify gaps in your overall level of preparedness to implement video observations

A sample survey to evaluate the success of your video observation initiative and identify areas for improvement

A focus group script for you to customize to learn more about the value of video observations from your teachers