In Lesson Study (LS), the facilitator can wear different hats – she*he can be the initiator of a Lesson Study and/or the coordinator of the Lesson Study group, a member of the LS4VET-team or a knowledgeable other (e.g. a teacher educator or a researcher) experienced in Lesson Study. Some of the facilitator tasks summarised below may even be shared among the members of a LS4VET-team, and this may also evolve depending on the school context and the needs that arise.

Step 1 – Phase 1: Organise the team, set the goal – Introducing Lesson Study

  • Organises meetings and discusses the Lesson Study process with the team;
  • Discusses or leads the discussion about the Lesson Study process with the school leader/manager; 
  • Negotiates ground rules for collaboration with the team; 
  • Identifies what they would like to get out of the whole experience in terms of student/teacher learning while keeping open to unforeseen learning opportunities;
  • Plans with the team and then shares with the school leader/manager and the Meta School LS4VET Community (if there is one)  the Lesson Study design that includes a timeline with Lesson Study trial dates, meeting times, means of communication, roles and responsibilities 
  • Provides support with resources related to readings and reports about previous Lesson Studies, outlining also what the experience will entail.

Step 1 – Phase 2: Organise the team, set the goal – The problem identification phase

  • Prompts the team to identify areas that are challenging to teach or areas that are challenging for students to learn; students may be included in this step.
  • Challenges the team to delve deep into why the identified areas, poses teaching and learning issues; 
  • Keeps the discussion on track;
  • Supports the team to reach an agreement as to what could be investigated in their Lesson Study, with which group of students and when.

Step 2: Study alone and together

  • Discusses with the team how to conduct a search for resources on the identified topic;
  • Assists the teams in identifying resources, including finding and consulting with knowledgeable other(s) and students, if and when necessary;
  • Coordinates how the team shares experiences and resources, and the discussion about them;
  • Initiates and maintains communication in the team.

Step 3: Plan Lesson Study research lesson 

  • Facilitates team discussion about identifying and designing the main learning task;
  • Assists the team in keeping track and focusing on the Lesson Study objectives during Lesson Study research lesson planning;
  • Encourages discussion around possible lesson tasks if and when necessary/required to stimulate teachers’ thinking;
  • Coordinates the design of data collection tools to be used during the Lesson Study research lesson observation as well as the collection of student feedback, e.g., through interviews.
  • Coordinates the logistics for the teaching of the Lesson Study research lesson, Negotiates with observers about their roles during the Lesson Study research lesson.

Step 4: Lesson Study research lesson: teach and observe

  • No facilitation is required in this step, the facilitator carries out tasks related to observation and collecting feedback as a team member or a knowledgeable other, as planned.

Step 5: Analyse and discuss

  • Suggests the ground rules of discussion and how the session will be structured;
  • Facilitates discussion about what worked and what could be improved;
  • Makes sure everyone has had an opportunity to share insights on the LS research lesson based on data collected during and/or after the lesson;
  • Keeps discussion focused on the teaching of the LS research lesson and on students’ learning;
  • Holds discussion on track and with a clear focus on intended outcomes (the improvement of the LS research lesson).

Step 6: Repeat: Revise, improve, teach, observe, analyse & discuss the teaching unit

  • Supports the team in evaluating  evidence gathered to inform the changes to be made in the next Lesson Study research lesson cycle
  • Helps the team plan to make changes for the next LS research lesson trial;
  • Repeat Steps 3 to 5.

Step 7: Reflect and disseminate

  • Supports the team in taking the initiative to reflect on and document the whole Lesson Study process;
  • Supports the team in disseminating Lesson Study findings and outcomes across the school and beyond.