School of Public and Nonprofit Administration
CLASSROOM OBSERVATION REPORT
1. The reviewer and instructor meet ahead of the in-class observation to review the syllabus and planned classroom activities. If peer-reviews from
previous years exist, they can be consulted. A set of instructor’s goals should be established and some criteria (based on the goals) should be
agreed upon. This document has nine criteria that can be used in many situations. However, they can be modified. In general, observers should not
attend classes where the sole activities are student presentations, guest speakers, or exams.
2. The reviewer then visits the class and makes notes based on the criteria established. A second visit can be scheduled if there are two styles of
class that the reviewer wishes to observe. For an online class, the reviewer should be given access to the class Blackboard site for a week.
3. A debriefing meeting should occur at which the reviewer and instructor discuss strengths and weaknesses regarding achievement of the goals.
4. The reviewer then submits the Classroom Observation Report to the Director. A summary statement should be appended, including suggestions
for the candidate’s growth and development. These Classroom Observation Reports are placed in the candidate's portfolio.
5. The instructor is encouraged to consider these suggestions for possible syllabus or assignment revisions, provision of materials to students, class
management, etc. They can comment on these intended changes in the Portfolio and Work Plan.
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:
Greg Cline
CLASS NUMBER & TITLE: PA611 Research Methods
Oct 8, 2013, 2010; 6pm – 8:50pm w/ a 7 min
DATE & TIME:
break
OBSERVED BY:
Donijo Robbins
STUDENTS PRESENT /
COURSE ENROLLMENT:
TYPE OF CLASS (e.g.,
seminar, lecture, on-line):
ROOM:
lecture
205A DeVos
CRITERIA
Criteria should be agreed upon by instructor and
observer prior to the classroom visit. Below are only
suggestions. Please modify to fit the situation.
OBSERVER’S COMMENTS
SCALE
1 = Problem
2 = Normal; to
be expected
3= Exemplary
Class Objectives
Is a clear statement of goals (learning outcomes) shared
with students at the beginning of class? Does the
instructor indicate how the material links to previous /
future classes and to course texts or to other course
activities?
Content Level
Is the content appropriate for the level of the
students?
Check on Learning
Although there was no explicit
statement of purpose or link to previous
class, the professor did provide an
overview of the day’s materials
Yes; the class was graduate students
and content was appropriate.
2
2
Yes, professor stopped periodically to
Does the instructor periodically pause to ensure learning ask questions and asked if there were
is taking place? Does the instructor check on learning by questions
asking questions or gaining feedback?
2
Management of Discussion
Are the opportunities for dialogue well facilitated? Is
focus kept on relevant subjects? Are students
contributions treated with respect by the instructor
and by other students? Are conversations monopolized
by only a few students? Or by the instructor?
Management of the Learning Environment
Are students well behaved and attentive? Are classroom
distractions and disruptions minimized?
Time Management
Is the session well organized? Is the class time used
efficiently? Are activities either rushed or drawn out?
Is the variety of mediums and activities appropriate for
the length of the class? Is class held for the full
designated time?
Discussion is not part of a research
methods course; the class is not
designed to facilitate dialogue.
NA
Yes, students were well behaved; being
in a computer can sometimes be
disruptive as some students decide to
use the computer during the lecture.
There were no disruptions.
2
The professor spent a few minutes
covering the content and then a large
portion of the course demonstrating
SPSS – recoding data and running
analysis. The final part of the course
students did hands on activities.
2
Oral Presentation Style
Does the instructor have an acceptable oral
presentation style? Is volume and enunciation
acceptable? Is eye contact acceptable? Is body
language acceptable?
Visual Presentation Style
Does the instructor have acceptable visual aids? If
slides or overheads are used, do they have clear,
focused content with clean, readable images? If the
whiteboard is used, is the handwriting legible?
Classroom Demeanor
Does the instructor behave appropriately? Is the
instructor on time to class? Does the instructor’s
demeanor encourage a good relationship with the
students in terms of rapport and respect?
Yes
2
Yes, professor used PPT slides
2
Yes, yes, yes
2
Summary and suggestions
Dr. Cline began on time and with administrative stuff (taking attendance). He moved into the day’s agenda. Used PPT slides that
were simple to understand with bullet points. Students were attentive, took notes. Students seemed engaged in the hands on exercises