Record of Observation of Teaching for All Staff on Probation with

Teaching Responsibilities

Observed
Staff Member / Date Session Observed
Department / Time
Observer / Room No.
Type of Session / Lecture □ / Small group teaching□ / Language Class □ / Other (specify)□
……………………
Staff group e.g. New lecturer, Teaching Fellow, Lector etc
Contract Start Date

To be completed by the observer. Original held by the observer and copies sent to:

a)the observed member of staff

b)the Head of Department

c)the Staff Development Office

Please comment on the following aspects of the observed session:

Aspects / Observations / Comments
1 / Are the learning objectives clear?
2 / Is the session well planned and organised? Is it appropriate to the needs of all students in the group?
3 / Are the teaching and learning methods appropriate?
4 / Is the content accurate, suitable and illustrated with examples?
5 / Are the delivery and the pace appropriate?
6 / Are the students encouraged to learn actively and participate?
7 / Other comments

Did the staff member provide an effective learning experience for the students at this level? Yes / No

If yes, recommended area(s) identified for further development:

1
2
3

If no, what are the issues and how will they be addressed? e.g. support from mentor and/or ADD; attendance at course etc

Area for Development / Details of Support Required and Time Frame

Signed …………………………..………… Signed ……………………………………......

(Observer)(Observed staff member)

Date ……………………………………......

Appendix 1

Observers might like to use the following to help them identify strong and weak areas of practice:

Preparation and planning

  • Learning outcomes for session (explicit, achievable, achieved)
  • Session organisation (opening, closing, signposting, structuring)
  • Preparation (content, handouts, planning of activities, etc)
  • Time management (also allocation of time to various activities)
  • Other (please specify)

Classroom management

  • Teaching methods/approaches
  • Delivery (clarity, pace, variety of modes of delivery, repetition, summary)
  • Use of resources/teaching materials (extent, types, effectiveness, etc)
  • Student responses (participation, attention, note-taking, etc)
  • Attention to diversity (inclusive strategies)
  • Guidance to students
  • Learning activities in which students are engaged
  • Classroom organisation e.g.pair/group work
  • Overall style and atmosphere
  • Other (please specify)

Feedback and assessment

  • Questioning strategies (number/types of questions, wait time, tutor responses, etc)
  • Error correction strategies
  • Giving feedback to students (oral/written)
  • Obtaining student feedback on teaching (oral/written)
  • Assessment tasks
  • Marking criteria
  • Grading scheme
  • Other (please specify)

------

SOAS, University of London, StaffLearning and Development Office

College Buildings Room 472