Teaching Certificate - Classroom Observation Sequence

Recognizing that not all Teaching Certificate participants will have the opportunity to teach their own course or lead a section or lab during the time they are completing the certificate, we have conceived of a number of ways that participants might complete a classroom observation sequence. The list below (under "Teaching Session") is representative rather than exhaustive; we thus invite participants to identify other types of teaching that might allow them to complete a classroom observation sequence. In any case, we encourage participants to select teaching opportunities that reflect the kind of teaching they anticipate doing as faculty members. All sequences will begin with a pre-observation consultation and end with a post-observation consultation, both with the same CFT consultant.

Pre-Observation Consultation

During the pre-observation consultation, participants will identify a particular aspect of teaching they have explored in an Inquiry phase (Cycle One – pedagogical workshop or Cycle Two – reading) that they would like to put into practice or refine in their teaching.

They will then situate this aspect in the context of the goals for the teaching session to be observed and, if applicable, to the larger goals for the course of which that session is a part. The CFT consultant will use these goals to frame his/her observation and conversation with the participant in the post-observation consultation.

Teaching Session

Participants may use any of the following as a teaching session to be observed and, if desired, digitally videotaped or audiotaped as part of a classroom observation sequence:

• one meeting of a class they are teaching

• one meeting of a discussion section or lab they are leading

• a review session for a particular course

• any other kind of help session for a course

• a portion of their office hours

• a one-on-one meeting with a student to discuss an assignment, problem set, paper topic, etc.

• a workshop they are leading for a unit on the Vanderbilt campus (for Cycle Two sequence only)

If a CFT consultant cannot be present for the teaching session, whether it be for logistical or pedagogical reasons, the session must be digitally videotaped or audiotaped so that the consultant can watch or listen to the session in preparation for the post-observation consultation.

The CFT maintains a list of teaching opportunities in and near Vanderbilt for Teaching Certificate participants. One of these teaching opportunities might provide a venue for these teaching sessions.

Post-Observation Consultation

During the post-observation consultation, participants and their CFT consultants will discuss the teaching session in light of their discussion in the pre-observation consultation. Questions to reflect upon might include the following.

• What actions did you take to refine the teaching practices in your targeted areas?

• How well did those efforts seem to work?  Did you discern any impact on student learning?

• What further refinements would you be interested in making?

Logistics of the Classroom Observation Sequence

All participants should contact the CFT by calling 322-7290 or by visiting 1114 19th Avenue South to arrange for the pre- and post-observation consultations with a CFT consultant and for that consultant to observe, if possible, the teaching session. Participants should provide the CFT with as much information as possible about the teaching session (date, time, location, duration) and indicate whether or not they would like the session digitally videotaped or audiotaped.

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