What is Lesson Study for ISEND

Lesson Study is an internationally known model of teacher-led practitioner research which aims to support professional development and facilitate reflective practice. Originally developed in Japan, the approach engages three teachers in a study-plan-do-review cycle.

The version of the Lesson Study utilised in this project has been extensively researched by Professor Brahm Norwich (University of Exeter) and is designed to support the development and adaption of teaching approaches for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The study-plan-do-review cycle

The study-plan-do-review cycle is broken down into 11 Steps: Steps 1-5 address the required Lesson Study preparations, whereas Steps 6-11 focus on the Lesson Study reviewing, planning, teaching and evaluation; see below for further information.

Preparation

Step 1 - Decide on pedagogic focus and case pupils
Step 2 - Arrange who will be in the Lesson Study team; decide on roles and how the team will function
Step 3 - Decide on what knowledge base to inform the pedagogic focus. If completing an interprofessional Lesson Study consider: What knowledge will the Outside professional bring to the Lesson Study process?
Step 4 - Decide on the research questions relevant to the 2 case pupils
Step 5 - Decide on a timeline and how this can be arranged

Review and Planning

Step 6 - first Review and Planning meeting (RP1)

Teaching

Step 7 - Teaching 1^st Research Lesson (RL1) joint observing and assess the learning of case pupils

Review and Planning

Step 8 - Second Review and Planning meeting (RP2)

Teaching

Step 9 - Teaching second research lesson (RL2), joint observing and assess the learning of case pupils

Review and Planning / Teaching

Step 10 - Go to Step 8 for RP3 and Step 9 for RL3.

Review and Planning

Step 11 - RP4 final review of the achieved outcomes

Evaluate and summarise findings/outcomes and communicate

Key

LS= Lesson Study
RP = Review and planning meeting
RL = Research Lesson

Source for Lesson Study for ISEND, 11 Steps.

Lesson Study for inclusion and special educational needs and disabilities (ISEND) provides an opportunity for three teachers to reflexively develop their confidence, knowledge, understanding and/or practice for ISEND and removing barriers to achievement.

Participating schools and colleges will benefit from personalised guidance from leading academics in the field of ISEND (who are also qualified teachers). Each participating setting will learn how to setup and run their own Lesson Study for ISEND project.

To participate in this project, a group of three teachers from one setting will need to identify:

an area of practice to focus upon (for example, boys’ engagement in writing; progress in mental maths; independent working in design and technology, etc.);
two case study learners to specifically focus upon, for this project both learners need to be listed on the setting’s SEND register.

Further information about Lesson Study can be found on the University of Exeter webpages Lesson Study for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.