Observations
General Teaching Observation
A CTL consultant can observe instructional practices in any environment. After the visit, the consultant and instructor will discuss what was observed and develop strategies for further experimentation, refinement, and reflection.
COPUS Observation
The Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS) was developed as part of the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative as a strategy for assessing and documenting teaching practices in STEM courses; however, the observation protocol can be used to document teaching practices in a variety of disciplines outside of STEM.
During a COPUS observation, a trained observer uses the COPUS protocol to record, in real time, and characterize how the faculty member and students are spending their time in the classroom. The results are quantitative and non-evaluative (there is not a rating or score) and can be used in combination with other data to track teaching improvements over time or to document teaching practices to include in a teaching portfolio.