Visibly Better began as the Best Foot Forward Project, which was developed by the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University to investigate video’s impact on the classroom observation process. In a randomized controlled trial, our study team gave cameras to 350 teachers across the country and allowed them to select their best lessons for evaluation.
The findings were compelling. Our research found that giving teachers control of the video collection and submission process improved several dimensions of the classroom observation process, such as:
- boosting teachers’ perception of fairness,
- reducing teacher defensiveness during post-observation conferences,
- leading to greater self-criticism by teachers, and
- allowing administrators to shift observation duties to quieter times of the day or week.
Such positive findings encouraged the CEPR team to develop the Best Foot Forward Video Observation Toolkit, a guide to help educators start video observations in their school communities. The positive reception of the research findings and practitioner toolkit inspired CEPR to promote the use of video for professional learning on a grander scale, through the creation of Visibly Better.