Teaching Excellence Award TEA Forum

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Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) Forum

• Professor S Kitipornchai
• 20 October 2005
• 1000 - 1130 a.m.

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Classroom Observation of Teaching

• The main purpose
• To see whether the shortlisted TEA nominee, in
  fact practices teaching in the way he/she has
  described it in his/her Teaching Portfolio
  submitted to the TEA Selection Panel previously.

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How is it done?

• Selection Panel Members are encouraged to visit
  the class of as many candidates as possible
• Each member visits the classes of at least 2
  candidates
• The Chairman of the Panel has visited the classes
  of ALL candidates in the last 2 exercises
• The arrangements to observe classes take care of
  any conflict of interest situation
• There are 3 separate templates to observe
  teaching Lectures, Tutorials and Lab Sessions

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Areas Covered for Observing Lectures

• Introduction of the lesson(e.g. captured
  attention, indicated proper organization,
  clarified objectives, related back to previous
  lesson, etc.)
• Delivery of the lesson(e.g. logical main ideas
  clear and specific pacing appropriate use of
  examples in supporting information evidence of
  command of subject matter, etc.)
• Resources for teaching(e.g. Use of teaching
  aids appropriateness, effectiveness, handouts
  and reference materials, etc.)

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• Rapport/Interaction with students
• (e.g. knows and uses student names responds to
  students as individuals treats class members
  equitably praises students for useful
  contributions encourages mutual respect between
  students, etc.)
• Impact on learning(e.g. helps develop rational
  thinking helps develop problem-solving ability
  helps develop skills/views necessary to
  understand the topic of the lesson broadens
  student views fosters respect for diverse
  opinions stimulates independent thinking
  provides feedback uses positive reinforcement,
  etc.)
• Conclusion of the lesson(e.g. summarizes main
  points indicates possible steps forward etc.)

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Examples of Comments from Observers -
Introduction of the lesson

• Clear, concise introduction capturing students
  attention.
• Actually quite well done except that quite a
  number of students didnt seem to be paying
  attention to the instructor.

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Examples of Comments from Observers - Delivery of
the lesson

• The "lecture" was interesting, with many examples
  and real-life cases. The presentation was clear.
  Students appeared to enjoy the "lecture".
• Clear, vivid and lively delivery of the lesson.
• Summarizes well at the end.
• The lecture was interesting, lively and
  interactive. Students appeared to enjoy the
  lecture.

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Examples of Comments from Observers - Delivery of
the lesson (Cont.)

• Very comfortable style, plenty of illustrations,
  involved students.
• It was obvious that he/she had a good command of
  the subject matter.
• Clear, but boring.
• Although the structure is logical, the delivery
  is rather monotonous.

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Examples of Comments from Observers - Resources
for teaching

• Using real world cases to teach during the
  lecture and on the web.
• The information on the web is updated.
• Lots of visuals, handouts and reference materials
  were distributed in class.
• Transparencies, handouts and a book. Nothing
  fancy, but appeared to be effective.

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Examples of Comments from Observers -
Rapport/Interaction with students

• A very interactive class with excellent rapport.
  Students were eager to participate and contribute
  their views.
• Very interactive lesson, students showed interest
  by asking questions even when told they could
  take a break.
• Very little rapport with students. I noted many
  students were in fact chatting/reading other
  materials in his/her class.
• Only 1/2 class turned up for the lecture. Limited
  interactions with students. The students were on
  the whole very passive.

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Examples of comments from Observers - Impact on
learning

• Active student participation in response to his
  questions.
• Since the students didnt ask or answer
  questions, it was hard to see whether theyre
  learning.

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Examples of comments from Observers - Conclusion
of the lesson

• Good summary reinforced by students acting-out
  in the examples.
• The lecturer didn't sum up or re-iterate the main
  points again at the end of his lecture.

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Examples of comments from Observers - Overall

• Excellent teacher, materials well prepared, well
  spoken and clear, used real life examples, good
  interaction with class, lively and energetic.
• Lecture uninteresting, class control poor -
  students talked during class, PPT copied from
  text - could be better prepared, little student
  interaction.