CTE - Reflective Teaching

Before observing a course, you will want to have a conversation with the faculty member being observed about the course, classroom environment, student engagement, and learning progress. During this conversation, you may want to ask the faculty member if they are looking for feedback about a specific element of their teaching and/or about their teaching goals. This conversation can help guide your observation and feedback.

Depending on the type of observer you are and observation you are conducting, you will want to review certain materials before observing a class:

The items you may request from faculty will differ according to the modality of the course:

Finally, you will want to bring certain items with you the observation:

Materials: can include syllabus, lesson plan / class agenda, and any materials to be discussed

Observation Form: with notes from your pre-observation conference

Blank Paper: for taking notes that will later be transferred to the observation form

If you are new to classroom observations, we suggest looking over the following reflection questions that outline some of the elements you want to look for during the observation: