Format for reporting class visits via e-mail or paper:
Be sure to include:
1) Your name
2) The title of the course you observed
3) The instructor of the course
4) The date you observed
5) Description of class setting (how many students, what type of seating arrangement, etc.)
6) A short paragraph outlining several observations about the way the class is taught, including teaching methods and student reaction. You may use the questions below as a guide for some points you might look for. However, you do NOT need to answer all of the questions listed below. Select a couple of major points you noted and describe briefly.
7) Did you learn anything useful for your own development as a teacher (it could be something you might try in your classroom, or it may be something you observed which does not seem to work)?
Guidelines for Class Observations:
One of the most useful ways to learn about teaching is to watch others at work. You can benefit from the expertise and innovation of experienced instructors and identify with the enthusiasm and fresh ideas of new instructors.
The purpose of class observations is to learn about various teaching styles and methods which might provide you with new ideas for your classroom. Even if the size and subject of the observed class are very different from your own, you may be able to adapt methods to your own purpose. Sometimes you may even learn what NOT to do in your class based on your observations.
There are many elements which go into teaching a class, and you may want to consider some of the following elements in your observations:
What is the class size? How does this affect the teaching format and methods?
What is the arrangement of the room and the seats? Does this affect the way the instructor moves and/or addresses the class? Does it affect interaction among students?
What is the format of the class? Discussion? Lecture? Is the format best suited to the subject matter?
What kind of structure does the instructor use? Teaching by giving examples? By description? By transmission of facts? How does the subject matter help determine the structure of the lesson?
Is the instructor easy to follow? well organized? What elements contribute to the organization (or lack thereof)? For example, does he/she identify and follow main points of discussion? follow a logical sequence? write an outline on the board or overhead?
What kind of teaching aids does the instructor use and why? For example, the blackboard, overhead projector, videos and movies, computers, etc. How does this help or hinder the teaching process?
What is the instructor's overall demeanor? Is he/she quiet, friendly, distant, enthusiastic, easy to understand, etc.?
What is the students' reaction to the instructor and to the class? Are they attentive, bored, engaged? Do they ask questions? How does the instructor respond?
Does the instructor have sufficient control over the class? Is there excessive whispering, talking, or other distracting behavior? Why does (or doesn't) this occur? How does it affect the lesson?
How does the instructor begin and end the lesson? Why is this important?
How does the instructor handle written materials (returned exams, handouts, etc.), if there are any?
Is this a class that YOU, as a student, would find interesting (subject matter aside)? Why or why not?
Does the instructor use any innovative or surprising methods? Are there any strategies which you might be able to use in your class?
Remember, the purpose of the class observation is not to evaluate the instructor but to evaluate the teaching methods as they may relate to your own teaching. Try to think of ways in which you might incorporate good ideas and avoid problems which you may have noted. Although you may not have a response to each of the above questions, use the ideas as a basis for the comments on your class observation reports.