CLASSROOM OBSERVATION INSTRUMENT 
                    
          Name of Faculty:                                               Course/s Offered:                                            Observation Date: 
          Observee Name:                                                 Department:                                                  Probation Status of Observee:  
          Observer Name:                                                 Observer Position:                                                                            
                    
                                                                                   Excellence in Teaching and Learning 
                         Areas & Criteria for Effective Teaching                                               Comments                                              Sample Comments 
          1.   Objectives                                                                                                                                                        
          •   Teaching schemes, and assessment schedules, are at                                                                                         •    Vague goals 
               hand                                                                                                                                      •    Context is unclear 
          •   Aims and objectives are made explicit, and are                                                                                             •    No sense of purpose 
               appropriate for students and course etc.                                                                                                  •    Students unclear what they should 
          •   Context: The relevance and importance of the objectives                                                                                         be learning 
               are stressed persuasively. Links are made to prior                                                                                        •    Resources forgotten 
               learning 
          •   Resources are at hand 
                                              
          2.   Lesson Planning                                                                                                                                                   
          •   Active learning: The lesson requires students to apply                                                                                     •    Inappropriate strategies 
               and develop the learning described in the objectives.                                                                                     •    Students passive 
          •   An effective plan: well-paced, varied, active, interesting,                                                                                •    Activities are of dubious purpose 
               challenging and logically structured                                                                                                      •    Students lack interest 
          •   Individual needs are met:  tasks are a mix of mastery                                                                                                                
               and developmental tasks and appeal to different 
               learning styles 
          •   Methods are appropriate to students, objectives, and 
               context 
          •   Key skills are integrated and developed 
                                              
          3.  Content and presentation                                                                                                                   •    Too long 
          •   Content and instructions are explained clearly at the                                                                                      •    Too fast 
              correct pace, level, breadth, depth, length, and in a                                                                                      •    No checking of learning 
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              logical order                                                                                                                       •   Too much content 
         •    Presentation is lively and interesting                                                                                              •   Too thin 
         •    Subject knowledge of the educator is sound                                                                                          •   Flat or distant 
         •    Voice is clear and easily heard 
         •    Understanding is checked e.g. by question and answer 
                                            
         4.  Classroom management                                                                                                                 •   No reference to the materials 
         •    The educator and students possess course outline and                                                                                    used 
              learning material.                                                                                                                  •   Interactions failed to promote 
         •    The seating arrangement supports different activities                                                                                   educator–student and student–
              and the methods used.                                                                                                                   student interactions 
         •    The classroom environment is inviting and conducive to                                                                              •   Classroom disorder  - not 
              quality teaching, learning and assessment.                                                                                              conducive for learning 
         •    The educator ensures that all students have the relevant                                                                            •   Seating arrangement failed to 
              resources (learning materials).                                                                                                         support different activities & 
         •    Good order and discipline support quality teaching and                                                                                  methods used 
              learning in the classroom.                                                                                                          •   Learning resources not available 
                                                                                                                                                  •   Noisy & no discipline 
         5.  Atmosphere and relationships                                                                                                         •   Poor rapport 
         •    Atmosphere is positive, enthusiastic, purposeful, and                                                                               •   Unaware of student need 
              warm.                                                                                                                               •   Group dynamics inhibit learning 
         •    Inclusivity: Efforts are made to value and include all 
              students 
         •    Rapport: Efforts are made to achieve mutual respect 
         •    Student – student relationships are good or developed 
         •    Dignity: Learners are treated with respect and dignity, 
              especially when they don’t deserve it (!) 
         6.  The student experience                                                                                                               •   Individual needs are ignored 
         •    Interest: student interest is engaged and sustained.                                                                                •   A teacher centred approach 
         •    Participation: all students take part and keep on task                                                                              •   Weak students are not discovered 
         •    Activity: Students develop and apply knowledge and                                                                                      and supported 
              skills, some of the tasks are high order, challenging, and                                                                          •   Able students are not stretched 
              relevant 
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         •    Check & Correct: learning, and work in progress is 
              checked and corrected  
         •    Praise/rewards for effort, progress, completion of tasks 
              etc. are frequent. Criticism is constructive and positive 
         •    Weaker students are supported and rewarded for effort 
              and the completion of ordinary learning tasks 
         •    Able students: are challenged but supported if 
              necessary 
         •    Autonomy: Students take enough responsibility for their 
              own learning. There is evidence of self-motivation. 
         •    Cooperation:  students have an opportunity to work in 
              pairs or groups and to support each other 
         •    Creativity: Students have an opportunity to take control, 
              exercise initiative, and make individual responses 
         7.  Resources                                                                                                                            •   Resources are inadequate or 
         •    Adequacy: Resources are adequate, appropriate,                                                                                          inappropriate 
              effective and up to date                                                                                                            •   The environment inhibits learning 
         •    Handouts are clear, well designed, fit for purpose, and 
              well produced. Extensive writing of notes unnecessary. 
         •    A variety of media and methods are used 
         •    Safety of the equipment and its use are ensured 
         •    Accommodation is appropriate and well managed 
         •    Room layout is appropriate and effective 
                                            
         8.   Evaluation of Lesson & Achievement of objectives                                                                                    •   Learning is not checked, or does 
         •    Clarity: learning is summarized, clarified and put in                                                                                   not take place 
              context 
         •    Achievement: Students demonstrate that learning has 
              taken place 
         9.  Professionalism                                                                                                                      •   lesson starts late and finishes 
         •    Timekeeping:  Teacher arrives and finishes on time and                                                                                  early. 
              expects their students to do the same.                                                                                              •   Dress and manner is inappropriate 
         •    Dress and manner are appropriate and professional 
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                                  THE POST - OBSERVATION ACTION PLAN 
                As a result of the outcome of this classroom observation, I have developed the following actions to improve performance: 
                                            
        Name of Observee: ________________________________   Name of Observer: _____________________________  Date:__________________________ 
         
         Areas & Criteria for Effective Teaching  Action to be Taken 
        1.   Objectives      
                             
        2.   Lesson Planning 
                             
        3.   Content and Presentation 
         
                             
        4.   Classroom Management 
                             
        5.   Atmosphere and Relationships 
                             
        6.   The Student Experience 
        7.    Resources      
        8.  Evaluation of Lesson & Achievement   
          of Objectives 
                             
        9.  Professionalism 
         
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