Tuning+Protocols

Most, if not all, of us experienced the Tuning Protocol during our three days together. A tuning protocol is a means to improve practice or critique the teaching and learning process by looking at either student work or adult work.


 * RATIONALE** (p. 267-268):
 * 1) Tunings provide accountability beyond test scores
 * 2) Tunings provide information useful in a classroom
 * 3) Tunings build a learning community
 * 4) Tunings work
 * 5) The process is relatively risk-free (although I would argue this point; an educator is indeed putting her/him-self out there during this process)
 * 6) These results are richer than those from a typical discussion
 * 7) Everbody learns from a tuning protocol (I would argue "everyone who is invested and committed to the process")

The steps outlined in the book are similar to our resource book we received during our training. There were interesting variations to the Tuning Protocol. In particular, I enjoyed "The California Protocol" on p. 270-271 (relatively short read). This variation organizes the group into two teams: analysis team (presenters and analyzers) and reflection team (asks clarifying questions and comments on analysis).
 * STEPS**

Time, Consistency, Facilitation, Vigilance, Substantive discussion, Active participation, and Balanced feedback
 * CRITICAL ELEMENTS**

"Tunings honor the professionalism, expertise, experiences, and skills of those who work with learners. They promote reflective practice. They are collaborative and build on the notion that all professionals want to get better and want their students to do better. They focus on learning--not just student learning, but learning by everyone in a school or district" (p. 272).
 * CONCLUSION**