CIDR offers individual consultation and observation for both faculty and TAs, and also works with faculty or Lead TAs involved in observing classes taught by other instructors in their departments. Customized workshops can also be developed for specific departments, addressing topics such as how to structure observations and how to provide constuctive feedback.

Observation of Teaching is a process by which a consultant, supervisor, or fellow instructor sits in on one or more class sessions, records impressions of an instructor's teaching practices, and then meets with the instructor to discuss the observers' impressions. A variation on this process, peer observation, involves instructors partnering to observe and give feedback to one another.

Observation of Teaching allows an instructor to:

• Receive feedback from an objective, experienced observer on classroom teaching issues such as classroom dynamics, lecture organization, class pace, explanatory techniques, or use of visuals.
• Gain additional perspective on other data collected on their teaching (such as student ratings, midterm class interviews, or other student feedback)
• Gain insights into their own teaching by observing a colleague’s teaching practices (peer observation)
• Engage in context specific discussions about teaching with colleagues (peer observation or observation by a departmental supervisor)

Individual instructors can ask a CIDR consultant to observe one or more class sessions and meet to discuss it afterwards. By observing your class and discussing it with you afterwards, a CIDR consultant can provide you with a neutral, non-threatening perspective on your teaching and help you reflect on whether, where and how to make changes.

Interested faculty or TAs can also meet with a CIDR consultant to discuss ways of conducting constructive observations in their departments. Finally, CIDR can also provide individual consultations or workshops for groups of faculty or TAs interested in learning to observe colleagues effectively.

Observation by a CIDR Consultant

Begin by contacting CIDR to request an observation, and a consultant will contact you to set up a pre-observation consultation so that you can give us more information about the course, your students, and your goals for the observation. It is also helpful if you can send your syllabus and any other relevant course materials to the consultant before your pre-observation appointment. We recommend that you choose one or more days for the observation which will show your typical approach to teaching as fully as possible.

The consultant then observes the class. After the observation, the instructor and consultant meet together to discuss and interpret the consultant's questions and notes on the class. Together they develop strategies to build on identified strengths and to address areas in need of change.

Consultations to Discuss Observations by Faculty or TAs

Contact CIDR to arrange a consultation meeting. We can discuss goals in observing instructors in your department, review strategies and approaches for structuring observations, and consult on ways for you to communicate your feedback to instructors after you have observed their classes.

If you would like to schedule a consultation or observation, call 206-543-6588, or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.

For additional resources to help you plan and conduct teaching observations in your department, see Classroom Observation Tools.