Home  >  Educational Development Opportunities / Educator Development / observations / Reflective Practice

Developmental Observations of Teaching

Share this Teaching Tip
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I was delighted to review the observations about my teaching. They were extremely thorough. I love how multi-dimensional the feedback is and how it can really help for a faculty to hone their teaching and other related professional skills.”

Feedback received by observer Fran Gregory (Spring 2021), Retired Conestoga Faculty Member

The purpose of Conestoga’s developmental observation of teaching is to provide faculty with input on effective teaching. The following video introduces the observation process.

See our Frequently Asked Questions Hub post for answers to questions you may have.

Steps in the Observation Process

The observation process is typically a Chair-requested observation and should take no more than 2 to 3 weeks to complete.

  1. Set a time and date for the observation with a T&L observer – faculty have choice and flexibility regarding the course, date, and time of the observation
  2. Share with your observer course Instructional Plan and other relevant lesson materials
  3. Review observation resources (see list below)
  4. Complete the pre-observation checklist (see list below) and meet with your observer*
  5. Teach class with observer present (~1 hour)
  6. Receive the observation form from your observer, and complete and share your post-observation reflection with your observer (see below)
  7. Attend your debrief/consult meeting (~30 minutes to 1 hour)

*Self-requested observations will not include a pre-observation meeting or involve a program’s Chair.

Resources for Faculty to Review

Faculty are encouraged to review these resources before the observation.

Example Observation of Synchronous Teaching Report
Reflections on my Observation of Teaching
Early Course Check-in – Taking Action Guide
BOPPPPS Lesson Plan Template (DOC)
The Spectrum of Effective Questioning (PDF)
Student Appraisal of Teaching SAT Survey (PDF)

Pre-Observation Checklist (Full-Time Faculty Only)

At least two days before the observation, please provide your observer with the following:

  • A copy of your Instructional Plan for the semester (download it from your eConestoga shell)
  • A brief outline or lesson plan for the class (BOPPPPS Lesson Plan)
  • The specific course outcomes you are focussing on during the class
  • Any PowerPoint slides and handouts

Post-Observation Reflection

Within one week of the observation, complete and share this document with your observer in preparation for the post-observation meeting.

Please send questions to Teaching & Learning.

Elan Paulson

Elan Paulson, PhD, has been an educator in Ontario's higher education system since 2004. Before joining Conestoga as a Teaching and Learning Consultant, Elan was on the executive team at eCampusOntario. She previously served as Program Director and as an instructor in professional education programs at Western University's Faculty of Education. With a Master's in Educational Technology, Elan specializes in technology-enabled and collaborative learning to support diverse learners. She has also conducted research on faculty participation in communities of practice for professional learning and self-care.

Related Posts