Strategies for Developing Teaching

Instructor Self-Assessment

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  This is an instrument developed by the Measurement and Research Division of the Office of Instructional Resources at the University of Illinois-Urbana. It aims to provoke instructor reflection about assumptions and priorities that affect teaching.

Student Questionnaires

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  You find the descriptions of teaching on most evaluation instruments vague and abstract, often describing elusive qualities of one's personality. You wish to know what instructors need to do in order to be more effective.

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  The environment of your class concerns you. You wonder if students find it constructive and positive—an atmosphere that contributes to their learning endeavors, or you're puzzled, just what kind of learning environment do students want? It would be useful to have them describe the ideal classroom experience for them.

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  You need new ideas, fresh vision, new approaches for a course you've taught countless times before. You need specific illustrations of what it is you do that is the most and least effective for learning.

Peer Observations of Teaching

• Peer Observation Guidelines and Report Form
  You would like input about your instruction from somebody other than students, but asking a colleague to come to class and having no idea of what they might say is cause for trepidation; or, you would like specific feedback from students on how to improve instruction, but you are unsure how to phrase the items and format of the instrument.