Learning Forward

Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.

Menu

Pause, rewind, reflect

Video clubs throw open the classroom doors

By Learning Forward
October 2011
Vol. 32 No. 5
Carl Witter’s Algebra I class is discussing a multiple choice problem involving percents. Standing at the overhead, Witter asks students to raise their hands to vote for the answer they think is correct. As they vote, students talk among themselves. Lakisha asks a friend, “Why are you raising your hand for that one?” Her friend explains, “It’s gotta be C.” Another student responds, “No way!” Across the room, Sonia calls out, “All I know is that it’s not A.” Shortly after, Lakisha looks at Witter and asks, “Are you trying to trick us?” The teacher smiles and laughs as he continues to count the raised hands. After Witter completes his tallies, he turns to the class. “Sonia had an interesting comment. Sonia, why are you

Read the remaining content with membership access. Join or log in below to continue.

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.

Log In
   
Forgot password? Click here to reset
New User? Click here to register

Authors

Miriam Gamoran Sherin and Katherine A. Linsenmeier

Miriam Gamoran Sherin (msherin@northwestern.edu) is associate professor in Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, Evanston, Ill. Katherine A. Linsenmeier (k-linsenmeier@northwestern.edu) is a high school teacher and research associate in Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, Evanston, Ill. 

Potential benefits of A video club

  • Provides common text to ground discussions of what takes place in classrooms.
  • Offers space for sustained reflection on classroom interactions.
  • Counters norm of privacy among teachers and promotes professional community.

Guidelines for video clubs

  • Attend to the evidence: Focus on what did take place, not on what might have been.
  • Attend to the details: Focus on specific aspects of classroom events (e.g. student thinking).
  • Attend to what’s typical: Focus on examples of everyday practice, not on exemplars.

References

Goodwin, C. (1994). Professional vision. American Anthropologist, 96, 606-633.

Linsenmeier, K. & Sherin, M.G. (2009). Selecting video clips of student mathematical thinking. Teaching Children Mathematics, 15(7), 418-422.

Sherin, M.G. (2000). Viewing teaching on videotape. Educational Leadership, 57(8), 36-38.

Sherin, M.G. & Han, S. (2004). Teacher learning in the context of a video club. Teaching and Teacher Education, 20,163-183.

Sherin, M.G & van Es, E.A. (2009). Effects of video club participation on teachers’ professional vision. Journal of Teacher Education, 60(1), 20-37.

van Es, E.A. (2009). Participants’ roles in the context of a video club. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 18(1), 100-137.

Image for aesthetic effect only - Learning-forward-logo-square
+ posts

Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.

Search
The Learning Professional

Published Date
Reset

CURRENT ISSUE

    • Recent Issues

    EVALUATING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
    February 2024

    How do you know your professional learning is working? This issue digs...

    TAKING THE NEXT STEP
    December 2023

    Professional learning can open up new roles and challenges and help...

    REACHING ALL LEARNERS
    October 2023

    Both special education and general education teachers need support to help...

    THE TIME DILEMMA
    August 2023

    Prioritizing professional learning time is an investment in educators and...

  • © Copyright Learning Forward
    • Skip to content