ITLE instructional designers are here to support you in analyzing any aspect of your course. We find that course observations are most helpful when they occur between weeks 4 and 12 of the semester, when students are actively engaged in their learning and the routines of the course are well established. This timing allows us to provide you with insights that are relevant, practical, and immediately useful for strengthening your teaching and enriching your students’ learning experience.

 

The process typically follows the steps outlined below:

• Pre-conference: The instructor meets with ITLE instructional designers to discuss the goals of the observation.

• Observation: During a mutually convenient time, instructional designers conduct the course observation noting items related to the predetermined goals. As part of the observation process, instructors may choose to have instructional designers gather student feedback in writing and/or through student focus groups.

• Post-conference: Following the observation, instructional designers provide faculty with constructive feedback based on the observation.

In addition to constructive conversations regarding the goals of the instructor, the typical midterm course analysis process results in a qualitative compilation of analyzed student feedback, as well as a letter from ITLE that documents the process.