Classroom Observations

Class Observation

The Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) and ASSETT at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ offer free and confidential classroom observations for educators at all levels. Whether you’re a tenured professor, instructor, or graduate student instructor, these observations provide supportive and constructive feedback to enhance your teaching practices and improve student learning outcomes.


Why Request a Classroom Observation?

Classroom observations create opportunities for personalized feedback and professional growth. They help you:

  • Refine teaching techniques to support student engagement and comprehension.
  • Address specific teaching challenges through expert insights.
  • Experiment with new strategies and evaluate their effectiveness.
  • Enhance student learning experiences by creating more inclusive and interactive environments.

What to Expect

Classroom observations are collaborative and flexible, tailored to your teaching goals. Here’s what the process includes:

  1. Pre-Observation Meeting:
    • Discuss your goals and focus areas for the observation.
    • Identify specific aspects of teaching you’d like feedback on (e.g., student engagement, classroom management, or lesson clarity).
  2. Observation Session:
    • A CTL or ASSETT consultant will attend your class to observe student-teacher interactions, instructional strategies, and classroom dynamics.
  3. Post-Observation Feedback:
    • Receive detailed feedback highlighting strengths, areas for growth, and practical recommendations for improvement.
    • Discuss strategies and resources to address your specific goals.

Areas of Focus

Classroom observations can focus on a wide range of teaching practices and instructional goals, including:

  • Student Engagement: Techniques to encourage participation, active learning, and collaboration.
  • Inclusive Teaching: Creating a welcoming, equitable classroom environment that values diverse perspectives.
  • Instructional Strategies: Evaluating teaching methods to align with learning objectives.
  • Classroom Dynamics: Observations on student-teacher and student-student interactions to assess classroom climate.
  • Course Structure and Design: Suggestions for lesson pacing, clarity, and content organization.
  • Technology Integration: Feedback on the effective use of Canvas, Zoom, and other tools to enhance learning.

Why Observations Matter

Research highlights that reflective teaching practices improve student outcomes and increase instructor confidence. Observations provide:

  • Objective Feedback: Focused insights that are non-evaluative and formative.
  • Actionable Strategies: Recommendations you can immediately implement to refine your approach.
  • Long-Term Impact: Tools and techniques to create a more student-centered, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.

How to Schedule a Classroom Observation

Classroom observations are available throughout the academic year and can be scheduled at a time that works best for you.

  • Step 1: Fill out the Classroom Observation Request Form below.
  • Step 2: A CTL or ASSETT consultant will contact you to schedule a pre-observation meeting.
  • Step 3: Prepare for your observation by identifying specific goals or areas where you’d like support.

Additional Support

In addition to observations, we offer:

  • Consultations: One-on-one meetings to discuss specific challenges or teaching goals.
  • Workshops and Trainings: Focused sessions on inclusive teaching, active learning, and technology integration.
  • Teaching Resources: Access guides, templates, and best practices to improve course design and delivery.

Ready to Get Started?

Take the next step in enhancing your teaching practices. Please fill out the Classroom Observation Request Form, and let’s work together to create engaging and inclusive learning experiences for your students.

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Consultation Type
 
 
 
Individual Teaching Consultation
Please tell us what you'd like to gain from a teaching consultation. Specifically, please provide as much detail as you are comfortable sharing about the teaching-related questions, goals, challenges, or issues you would like to address. This will help us identify the most appropriate person at the CTL/ASSETT or another unit to support you.
Please list a few times that generally work in your schedule to meet with a CTL/ASSETT consultant. CTL/ASSETT staff will schedule directly with you.
I prefer to be contacted...
 
 
Please list a few general times you may be reached by phone.
Departmental or Group Training
Please tell us about your group’s, department’s, or program's teaching needs. Specifically, please provide as much detail as you are comfortable sharing about the teaching-related questions, goals, challenges, or issues you would like to address. This will help us identify the most appropriate person at the CTL/ASSETT or another unit to support you.
I prefer to be contacted...
 
 
Please list a few general times you may be reached by phone.
Classroom Observation
Please tell us about your classroom observation needs. Specifically, please provide the name of the class, and as much detail as you are comfortable sharing about the teaching-related questions, goals, challenges, or issues you would like to address. This will help us identify the most appropriate person at the CTL/ASSETT or another unit to support you.
I prefer to be contacted...
 
 

Educator Testimonies

"I found my inclusive pedagogy consultation to be informative, generative and affirming. [I was] offered specific practices I could add to my everyday online teaching as well as ways to alter my course structure to be more responsive to the needs of all my students."

– CU Graduate Student Instructor 


"[My consultation] was an enormous help getting me started and comfortable with the new Zoom online teaching.  [The CTL staff member] listened very well and helped me solve every issue I confronted. He worked with me every week and truly helped my large lecture class become a success."

– CU Professor


"Thank you very much for your expertise, kindness, and patience during our email exchanges and Zoom chat. You have made time for any and all questions. You have not made me feel hesitant to ask a question or hesitant to state that I do not know something. You have been enthusiastic and sincere in sharing your expertise, sharing the insights that you have gained from others, and walking through things with me."

– CU Instructor