Lecture 07: Observing Others Teach and Reflecting on Your Own Teaching

CS298 / EDUC298

Fall 2023

Stanford University

Computer Science Department

Lecturer: Chris Gregg

You should continuously strive to improve your teaching!
- You don't simply learn to teach and then apply it unchanged for the rest of your teaching career
- You want to grow to become a better teacher
- No one is the same teacher in the beginning of their career as they are in the end of their career
Teaching is predominantly done alone
- The teacher is responsible for all aspects of the course (but may have TAs to delegate to)
- Co-teaching does happen, and can be a great opportunity -- if you can co-teach, do it
- Because teaching is largely independent, you might not get to see others teach, which is unfortunate (that said: as students, you get to see lots of teachers! Observe them whenever you can!)
You should regularly observe other teachers
- Don't just observe "good" teachers -- you can learn something from all teachers.
- Don't limit yourself to just observing CS teachers, either -- cross-pollination is always a good thing

Observe anything that the instructor does before class
- Are they setting up?
- Are they talking with students?
During class, take notes on what you see. Here is one method:

As the class progresses, jot down the time on the left, and then your observations and any notes you might have.
Keeping these kinds of notes can help you recall what you thought was important in the class, and any questions you might have for the instructor.
During your observation, write down anything that you think is unique, or that you think is interesting about the way the in- structor teaches.
Highlight anything that you would like to include in your own teaching, and also highlight the things that didn’t work that well (e.g., were the students distracted near the end of class?)

After the class is over, you should thank the instructor, and you should consider asking the instructor if you could go over your notes some time with them
- Ask any questions you have about the lecture
  - Discuss what you liked
  - Don't focus on your feedback -- focus on what you thought was excellent, and ask for any tips about how to deliver something
If you can, ask students what they thought -- they may have an insight you missed
After you leave the class, reflect on what you observed
- Is there anything you might want to copy for your own teaching?
- If something didn't go well, use that as something you might want to avoid

When you teach, you should reflect on your own teaching
- Just like athletes think about how they can improve, and then train for it, you should do the same thing.
  - It takes time to reflect, but it will have dividends
Before each class:
- Think of one key thing (or possibly two) you want to do well.
  - Maybe you want to facilitate a detailed class demonstration of a certain sorting technique, or maybe you want to introduce a proof by asking students key ideas that will lead them towards the solution.
  - Jot down a couple of outcomes that will indicate a success (e.g., lots of students participated, and we ended up with the correct proof ), and an outcome that indicates that you still to work on the technique (e.g., students were confused)
  - If you have taught the course before, consult any notes you took to review what went well and what didn't

After each class
- Look at the potential outcomes you hoped for -- how did you do?
- Take some quick notes on what went well, and what you might change for next time
- Keep this list where you can find it next time!
- Get some feedback from the class (Tiny Feedback?)
After an assessment
- Reflect on how it went
  - How did the students do?
  - What kinds of questions did they have (about an assignment, for instance)
  - Could you have made a better handout for an assignment (yes)
  - Did you prepare them enough before the assessment?
  - Keep notes! Make changes!
At the end of the term
- Congratulate yourself -- you did it!
- Read the student evaluations (but be wary -- this might be frustrating)
- Take any constructive feedback seriously
Recording lectures?

Find time this week to observe a class you aren't currently taking, and follow the guidelines in this presentation.
It can be any class you aren't currently in
Observe the teaching, not the content!
Consider filling out notes as per this slideshow
Write a couple of paragraphs on your observations
If you can, talk to the professor afterwards, but this is not critical

Assignment: Observe a class! Due: November 27

By Chris Gregg