Observation and Feedback

A Key Opportunity for Reflective Teaching

We believe that good teaching is reflective teaching. A teaching observation can help facilitate this critical process of reflection. The Center for Teaching and Learning’s Educational Development staff conducts observations of teaching via video-recording and in-class observations for instructors looking for a confidential, outside perspective on the teaching and learning in their classroom.

How it Works

Generally, staff discusses the class with the instructor prior to the observation to gain understanding about how feedback might be tailored and to understand the unique challenges and opportunities related to teaching and learning in that particular instance. Frequent areas of focus for observations include but are not limited to: Classroom Management, Clarity and Organization of Content, Presentation Skills, Use of Technology, Teaching Methods, and Inclusive Teaching.

Following the observation, the instructor meets again with our staff to follow up and consider strengths and areas for growth visible during the session. A confidential observation document is written up after these meetings and shared directly with the instructor. If the CTL has recorded the session for the instructor, an MP4 recording of the class session will be made available to the instructor via WUSTLBox after the observation is completed.

Note that all observations are conducted only at the behest of the instructor themselves.