Protocols for Collaboration

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When teachers together analyze student work and/or observe in each others' classrooms, how do they speak with one another using a collaborative positive tone that shows respect but also benefits the ultimate goal of improving instruction?

In previous teacher training sessions, we practiced two techniques - pausing and paraphrasing. During our last staff meeting, we learned two new protocols – probing and inquiry. We probe for specificity or for better understanding of generalizations. We inquire when we want to explore interpretations or different perspectives. We probe for clarity; we inquire for connections.
Sometimes, words or expressions are vague and require probing for further clarification. For example, vague nouns are: the parents, those students, the curriculum. To which parents might you be referring? How many? What aspect of the curriculum do you find complex? Vague pronouns include: they, we, them. Again, to whom in particular might you be referring?

A small change in the use of a word can change an inquiry from one that solicits a defensive response to one that solicits reflective thinking. Think of the difference in the following questions: “Why do you think that is?” “What do you think are some of the reasons for that?” Switching the word “why” to “what,” and switching the word “the” to “some” prevent a teacher from feeling on the spot. The word changes invite teachers to join a reflective conversation.
Similarly, changing yes/no questions to open-ended questions can have the same effect. Consider the difference in the following two formats: “Did you see that he had 5 spelling mistakes?” “What did you notice about his spelling?” The latter alternative invites dialogue and discussion.

While these changes might be small and obvious, they are not always the first words that come to our lips when we are in an informal conversation with colleagues. A little change and a lot of attention to how we frame our inquiries and probes, can lead to more effective reflection and collaboration.

Thank you to Jennifer Rosenberg for providing us with these protocols.