Evaluation Observation Instructions

The ECO-STEM Peer Observation Tool can be used in a variety of ways for the Retention, Tenure, and Promotion process.

1.     As part of a self-reflection. In this case, see instructions for Peer-Observation.

2.     As part of an official observation. With the observer, follow Steps 1 – 6 below. The notes and class observation will form the basis of an observation report.

	Step 1: (Each instructor individually) Familiarize yourself with the tool by using the summary version of the observation tool. It is broken into the three areas of climate, structure, and vibrancy. You may have identified an aspect of your class that you want to change – think about which of the observable behaviors of students and faculty relate to that aspect. Narrow down your list to 10-15 observable behaviors.
	Step 2: Meet with the observer. Discuss your overarching goals for the observation and the list of observable behaviors you want to focus on. Together with the observer, narrow down the list to 10 observable behaviors, using the feedback from the discussion with the observer who may have given feedback on additional/alternative ways you could get at your goal. Create a tailored observation form https://ecostem.calstatela.edu/pot with only your selected behaviors that your peer can use in the observation.
	Step 3: Agree on an observation and debrief date.
	Step 4: Observation takes place using tailored observation form.
	Step 5: Meet with the observer to debrief. The observer will provide a copy of the tool and notes to the observed instructor. If during the discussion, areas of growth are identified, then the Eco-STEM repository can be a useful resource providing research articles or examples on how one might implement specific strategies.

Note on the scalability of this process

Below we describe how this process can be scaled/adapted when many observations need to take place during a review cycle, with several observations for one observer.

Step 1: Have an initial (Zoom or F2F) meeting with all the instructors or a video recording to introduce them to the observation tool. Then the instructors individually follow the instructions in Step 1 above.

Step 2: Either have a meeting with all the instructors to be observed and to pair them up during the meeting, or pair up the instructors (without a meeting).  The pairs then follow Steps 2 and 3 of the Peer Observation. This will allow for the reflective discussion with a peer on objectives and which behaviors to select. Instead of giving the personalized observation tool to the peer, it is given to the observer with a brief explanation of why those behaviors were selected.  The observer acknowledges that these are the behaviors to be observed.

Step 5: While there is the need for the individual debrief, a more extensive faculty development opportunity can be created by bringing back all the instructors for a debrief meeting. In this meeting, general observations across all the observed can be shared (without mentioning of names).  Then the instructors connect with the peer with whom they worked to select the observable behaviors. They can share (if they so choose) to discuss their respective observation results and potentially team up to work with each other, and maybe even visit each other’s classes informally.