The opportunity to view our teaching from a new perspective can be enlightening. Class observations conducted by CTL staff members provide faculty members with a useful and descriptive picture of the class environment. This picture of the class environment can be used to identify and build upon strengths, and also to identify and make changes in areas that need improvement.
Observations are most helpful to faculty members when the observer has a context within which they can situate the class and when there is an opportunity to discuss the observations. Thus, each observation has three parts:
- Initial Meeting: This meeting is an opportunity for the faculty member to describe and discuss the context and goals of the course and the class meeting to be observed. Through this meeting, the observer gains familiarity with the faculty member and the context of their class.
- Observation: A CTL staff member will observe the class. During the observation, the CTL staff member will record observable data.
- Post Meeting: This meeting is an opportunity for the faculty member and observer to share perspectives, provide feedback, and exchange ideas.
Classroom observations conducted by CTL staff are formative and confidential. CTL staff members do not conduct observations for teaching evaluation purposes and will not supply any information for annual review or promotion purposes.
To request a class observation, please fill out this form: Class Observation Request Form
The format or data collected during a class observation may vary. To get an idea of what a class observation may consist of, check out these two resources:
Classroom Observation Guide | Wayne State University (Light)