Feedback is essential for growth. Just as the feedback you provide to students enhances their learning, feedback via observations and mid semester surveys foster teaching excellence. To schedule an observation or receive assistance with survey development, please contact our team via email at koehlercenter@tcu.edu.
Observation of your teaching by a Koehler Center Teaching & Learning Consultant is conducted in supportive and nonjudgmental context so that you can reflect on your teaching, recognize your strengths, and consider areas for improvement.. They allow you to focus on your needs and goals and reflect upon your teaching practice. The process includes (1) a planning meeting, (2) class visit to observe teaching methods and student engagement, and (3) a follow-up consultation. You will receive feedback based on high-impact instructional practices in higher education.
FAQs Teaching Observations
Who can request an observation?
Any faculty member, instructor, graduate student, or adjunct teacher at TCU can request a teaching observation. This is a free service provided by the Koehler Center to support TCU’s teaching community.
What is the benefit?
Teaching observations provide you with insights into your teaching strengths and areas for development, help you reflect on your practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement in teaching. In addition, you can use the teaching observation to document your reflective teaching practices.
Is the observation evaluative?
No, the process is non-judgmental and designed to support your growth as an instructor. It is not used for evaluative or punitive purposes. You will receive all feedback and documents directly. The Koehler Center will not share these documents with anyone else.
Who conducts the observation?
Koehler Center Teaching & Learning Consultants conduct, who understand the challenges and nuances of teaching, conduct the teaching observations.
What happens during a teaching observation?
After an initial consultation, your Teaching & Learning Consultant attends your class unobtrusively, observes various aspects of your teaching, and provides you with detailed feedback and support during a post-observation meeting.
Can I choose the focus of the observation?
Yes, you can identify specific areas or aspects of your teaching that you would like the observer to focus on, ensuring that the feedback is relevant to your needs.
How is the feedback from the observation shared?
Feedback is shared in a confidential, supportive manner, through a follow-up meeting during which you can discuss the observation and collaborate on strategies for enhancement.
Will the observation results be shared with my department?
No, the results are confidential and are not shared with your department or used in any formal evaluations.
How much time does the teaching observation require?
We understand faculty are busy and times is limited. That is why we have designed our teaching observations to take as little time as possible. Typically, the observation process includes a 15-minute pre-conference with the instructional consultant, the classroom observation, and a 20 to 30-minute post-conference during which the feedback is shared.
A simple mid-semester survey provides student insights. Online end of term evaluations, you have time to make changes with this group of students. You can create a survey the complete on their computers or mobile devices or use color coded index cards of paper for their written responses in class.
Ensure students know you want feedback that will help them improve their learning in the class. Also as them to focus on the course and the learning experience in general; what you do together and teacher and learners.
What should we start doing?
What should we stop doing?
