Effective Observers

One of the events at the POD conference discussed Faculty/Student evaluations of teaching. One of the discussions looked at ways of being an effective observer. Much can be learned from observation in the classroom (or through the campus for that matter). However, often observations are skewed by our vantage point or by the fact that individuals change behaviors when they know that they are being observed. Below is a list of characteristics of an effective observer which may increase the value of observations in the classroom.

• Observation must be focused
• Distinguish descriptive from judgmental
• Get to class early; position self for best observation (back of room, for instance)
• Note environment, physical layout of class, atmosphere of class, mood of students
• Take notes on process, not content
• Quantify as much as possible
• Note facial expressions, body language of faculty and students
• Watch how class disperses – what do they do? (rush out, crowd around faculty to talk, talk in groups)
• Offer some positive reinforcement to faculty at end
• Make appointment to go over observations later in detail
• Be aware of own biases and limitations
• Know if field has distinct ways of teaching
• Know something about students (all majors, mixed, etc.)
  

(Information posted through the sharing of notes and discussions with other POD members. We all took notes and continue to share our experience at the conference via e-mail. Thanks to those willingly to continue to share the conference after the lectures have ceased.)

POD Website; (http://www.podnetwork.org/)