In post-training observation, it should be clear that you are not rating faculty as good or bad instructors, rather you are observing them for professional growth. Though the observation instruments may contain different assessment levels, their purposes are to highlight those areas, from a professional development perspective, where an instructor demonstrates mastery of a training application or where improvement may be needed. Your intention is to provide positive feedback and support as they progress through your faculty development program and accomplish their individual objectives. An instructor should never feel that his or her job is on the line!
Below are some guidelines for completing post-training observation instruments.
- Review the instrument with your instructor prior to the observation - In fact, the instructor may wish to highlight a specific observable area(s) that he or she plans to demonstrate during the class observation. Agree to a specific date and time for the observation as it should not be a surprise visit to the classroom. If possible, have two or more observers for each class. This will help give the observation results a wider perspective and more accuracy. It also serves to reduce any observer bias that might exist.
- Remain in the classroom for the entire time period - A brief visit for the purpose of an obligatory evaluation will not suffice. The instructor needs the entire period to effectively demonstrate performance in the observable area(s). If a laboratory component is part of the course that the instructor is teaching, then you should observe both lab and class sessions.
- Take notes, view examples and write comments during the observation, then complete the assessment right after the class - Write your comments for each observable area first and then select the appropriate assessment level, rather than choosing the level first and then writing comments to justify it. When writing your comments, refer specifically to examples or demonstrations of effective techniques displayed by the instructor in relationship to acquired training.
- Meet with the instructor as soon as possible (but no later than five business days) after the observation to discuss the results - Remember that the observation should be used as a learning tool relating directly to the instructor’s individual, professional development goals.
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