Math 503, Spring 2003

Notes for observations

What questions/topics for discussion should you have in mind for
observing and talking with your host?
As noted in class, you will probably focus on some subset of this list,
and possibly add additional questions or topics. Also some of these
points could be discussed before or after observing.
Before you observe class (by e-mail or in person):
- Overview of the course:
      topics to be covered, at what level,
      what should students be able to do at the end of the course?
- Students: background? How many enrolled? typically attend?
- Instructor: background?
o 1st, 2nd, nth time teaching the material?
o Established technique or trying something new?
- What is to be taught?
o Where does this class fit into course?
      What was done in the last class?
      o Specific topic of the day (e.g. related rates)?
      o What is the instructor's idea of most important point
      for students to learn from this class period?
While observing class:
-- How does the instructor get the students' attention focussed
at start of class?
-- How are logistical details handled?
      e.g., papers collected and returned by instructor,
      or by students stopping at desk on way in;
      homework on a handout or written on board.
- Is there review/connection to previous class?
-- method of instruction (lecture, discussion --what kind, worksheets --
individual or group)
-- general atmosphere: formal, informal? students speak up often, or
only when invited to?
- How are the students "filling the time"?
- What are the students saying? How vocal are they?
- Does the teacher hear the "real questions" (get at the heart of what
they're saying)?
- How does the teacher include interaction with/between students? Asking
students questions?
      o How long does the teacher wait?
      o What if there is no response?
- Time management? Closure?
- What is different between this class and UW?
- Any difficulties? How are they managed?
Debriefing class:
- How does the host think the class went, and was it typical/atypical of
course?
- Typical assignments?
- Frequency of homework, do students do it?
- Hours of work expected?
Of course you will have some questions that come from the specifics of the
class, method of instruction, student questions, etc.
More generally with host:
- What do you do differently now than when you started teaching?
- Departmental support?
      o Resources for teaching (e.g. limited copying,
      travel, course website,
      graders, TAs, study center)?
      o Do they care about teaching?
      o Do they care only about teaching?
      o Do they care about student evaluations?
- How much freedom in choice of curriculum, text ,etc.?
- Required office hours, attendance?
- Size of math faculty?
- Teaching load?
o Hours, prep, etc.
o Feelings about that