Course Observation - Process Description

The Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ITLE) offers in-class teaching observation for both faculty and TAs. ITLE instructional designer(s) can work with faculty, TAs, and departments to develop customized plans to provide constructive and ongoing feedback and assess the classroom dynamic for teaching enhancement.  In particular, multiple teaching observations, students' focus groups, and mid-term evaluations, among other methods, can be customized to meet faculty and TAs' needs. The process was pilot tested with a couple of faculty members in a department at OSU in Spring 2009.

Please note that the whole observation process is intended to have a formative value (providing ongoing and constructive feedback) rather than a formal evaluative procedures unless it is indicated otherwise by instructors. 

Purpose of Teaching Observation

Observation of one's teaching, particularly if conducted in a collaborative, professional manner, can offer faculty an opportunity not only to improve upon their instruction by examining what current teaching elements are effectual, but also to modify or eliminate those that are not.

Keep in mind that the ITLE observation process provides only one source of information and should be balanced with other forms of instructional feedback, such as student evaluations and peer faculty observations.  
 

The purpose of the teaching observation is three-fold:

• Clarify and connect the instructor's teaching styles and philosophies to support effective student learning outcomes.
• Provide constructive and ongoing feedback to the instructor at any point of instruction (and students, if necessary).
• Affirm what works well, communicate what to change, and incorporate changes to the curriculum. 

Guidelines

• The instructor first submits a Course Observation Request Form.  Upon completion, the instructor will be contacted to set up the initial face-to-face meeting wherein format, expectations of the process will be discussed.

• The Observation Process usually includes the following components with the flexibility to be customized to meet faculty and TAs' needs.

    * Teaching observations (single or multiple class visits) See Rubric here.
    * Student focus group meetings
    * Mid-term course analysis

• Student focus groups are conducted by ITLE instructional designer(s) with groups of 6 - 10 students in an informal setting. Student focus group meetings are approximately 30 minutes in length and are arranged with the faculty member to accommodate course workloads, class schedules, and facility availability.

• It is expected that the instructor inform the students of the upcoming observation and its purpose. Ideally, ITLE professionals can be introduced to the students at the first observation visit.
• The class observation is usually conducted during OSU business time: 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Post-Observation Meeting

The Post-Observation follow-up meeting will provide faculty with constructive feedback based on the observation visits as well as the information derived from the student focus groups.

ITLE instructional designer(s) will help the instructor analyze teaching strengths and areas that could be improved upon.  A summary of observation feedback based on the Observation Rubric Instrument will be provided to the instructor.

Questions? Please contact Hong Lin, Manager of Faculty Development, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 405-744-1000.