Course Observation

You are not dummies!!  But this image was perfect!!

In order to grow as a teacher, it is important to actively consider teaching practices, and one of the best ways to do this is by observing other teachers.  Accordingly, one part of your grade for this course will consist of documenting a classroom observation in a report.  This should be typed and use proper documentation, etc. (and "no," you do not need to get that book!!!!!)

Your report should contain two sections:  Description and Reflection.  The descriptive section of the report should do just that—describe what happened in the class in enough detail so that I can get an accurate picture of what happened.  The second part of the report consists of reflection.  This part is the most important and should take up the majority of your report.  Please note that I use the term “sections” here loosely.  I don’t mean that part I should be description and part II should be reflection. The description and reflection may be mixed together as long as it is clear to me which is which.  

Some things that might be included in the report (among many possibilities) include: 

·        what the student(s) did

·        their reactions to the lesson

·        what seemed to go well (or didn’t go well) and why

·        what you would keep the same (or change) if you could do the same lesson with a            similar class, and why

·        how you could modify the lesson for a different type of audience/setting.

·        how you think the student(s) benefited from the lesson (or didn’t benefit at all!), and why

·        what in the lesson surprised you

·        what ways the lesson confirmed and/or changed your beliefs about how L2 reading and/or writing is learned/taught

·        how what happened in the session relates to the 445 class readings and/or discussions

The topics included above do not have to be in your report—they are mere suggestions in case your brain freezes up when it is time to write it up.  Talk about whatever you’d like—as long as it relates to what you saw.  I want a report that tells me what you saw and what you think about it.

There is no absolute length requirement for the report.  However, you do need to be sure that it does contain the description component (maybe around 1/3) and the reflective portion.  Doing this will likely take you at least 4-5 pages.

Who could you observe?

For those of you already teaching, approach your fellow teachers.  For those of you who are not teaching, you might approach some of your classmates!  In addition, I can put you into contact with some teachers either in the Service Courses or over at the Intensive English Institute.  You are also free to observe in a local school if you have contacts there.

What is it worth?  100 points, or 10% of the total. 

When is it due?    April 16th.  However, if you finish it earlier go ahead and turn it in.  I strongly suggest you schedule this observation earlier in the semester so that you don’t find yourself desperate for a class to observe just before the due date!!!!!