I attended a LoTi training session recently. LoTi (http://loticonnection.com/) stands for Levels of Innovative Teaching. LoTi has developed a classroom walkthrough protocol with a simple acronym: HEAT. This stands for
H igher Order Thinking Skills
E ngaged learners
A uthentic learning
T echnology Use
and lends itself to shorthand phrases like "turning up the HEAT" and assessing the HEAT in a classroom (or lesson).
LoTi has developed resources to show that the HEAT framework aligns to and supports many educational initiatives, like Understanding by Design:

"Is your school swamped with curriculum projects, state mandates, and technology infusion programs aimed at improving student achievement? LoTi (Levels of Teaching Innovation) was designed to harness the critical attributes of these initiatives (e.g., Daggett’s Rigor & Relevance, Marzano’s Research-based Best Practices, and Wiggins & McTighe’s Understanding by Design) into one UNITED EFFORT to improve instruction and maximize student achievement."
http://loticonnection.com/freelotisessions.html

What I like about LoTi (so far):

• the recognition that pedagogy and approach is as (or even more) important than technology use, &
• the simplicity of the acronym which makes it easy to remember and use, but does not oversimplify the concept to the point of being simplistic.

I hope to learn more about it and try it out. Of course, I am already wondering if it needs to be tailored to fit. If I’m doing walkthroughs, don’t I want to watch for safety? classroom management? I guess I’ll see. I would love to hear from anyone who has used the LoTi method. What were your experiences with LoTi and HEAT?