Observing Classes

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will provide classroom observations for any university teachers. Before observing, the teachers should make an appointment with the Center at 662/915-1395 or email jlott@olemiss.edu for an appointment. The following procedure will be used:

• Discussion of what the observer will be watching for; either specific behaviors of students or faculty
• Plan for the observation with the observer providing any forms to be used or agreeing with the faculty member on how to report the observations and the format for that reporting
• Observations of the class or classes; two sessions are advised, one for a general observation, and then after a reporting back a follow-up visit

Observations are private with only the teacher and the observer involved. All reports are given to the teacher.

Videotaping Classes

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will videotape classes for any university teachers. Before videotaping, teachers should make an appointment with the Center at 662/915-1395 or email jlott@olemiss.edu for an appointment. The following procedure will be used:

• Discussion of what the observer will be videotaping
• Plan to tell students about videotaping and with explanations that no individual students will be videotaped; nor will any tape be used for any purpose other than to talk to the teacher about the taped session
• Actual videotaping of class to focus only on the teacher
• Observation of the videotape by the Center staff involved with notes made to review with the teacher
• Observation of the videotape by the teacher
• Conference of the Center staff member and the teacher with any subsequent recommendations made to the teacher
• Videotape becomes the property of the teacher with a recommendation to be erased during the semester of the videotaping

Conferences over videotaped sessions are private with only the teacher and the Center staff member involved. All reports are given to the teacher.

Feedback on Teaching

Feedback on teaching involving the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and a university teacher may take different forms: observations, videotaping, or review of student evaluations. In each case the feedback is private and involves only the Center Staff member and the teacher.

If student evaluations are used, then the Center staff member will request the right to review the student evaluations, will analyze the evaluations and will synthesize comments. Based on the synthesis, the Center staff member will possibly make recommendations to the teacher. The feedback is not shared with others without the express permission of the teacher.