Observation of professors turns into larger issue

By: Miriam Arias/Staff Writer

Regular observations may be the key to evaluating instructors and their teaching methods and may prove to be successful for students in the long run.

Ratings given as a product of observation are the most successful form of evaluation, according to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

At FIU, professors are evaluated at the end of term by students. Evaluations are anonymous and ask students to rank their professors on a number of characteristics based on their experience in the
classroom, but professor observations are not regularly conducted.

“Legislators were not able to pass this legislation two years ago, but are now finally seeing their efforts pay off,” said Brian Peterson, a professor of history

Teacher observations have been occurring for years as a way to obtain reassurance that instructors are teaching properly, students are learning efficiently and that students are receiving the proper education to help them excel not only in standardized tests, but later in life.

In the past years, evaluation methods seemed to be lacking effectiveness as rating and observing instructors was rare. Few schools had yearly teacher evaluations.

Adding to the cause of ineffectiveness was that the evaluators, which were at often times, principals, tended to be inexperienced in this area and unsure of what exactly they were looking to rate.

Consequently, the methods for watching and rating instructors have begun to come across several changes, essentially evaluations.

Beginning two years ago, legislators have been working to enforce the need for school and teacher evaluations.

Many changes are being implemented and monetarily supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, including more frequent observations- about six per year, and certified evaluators.

According to Peterson, heavy reliance is put on students’ standardized tests scores, i.e. the FCAT.

A report by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation provides further information on the reason for this. It explains that the scores provide evidence of how much or how little students are learning in their classrooms. Senior and international relations major, Jorge Mendez, feels somewhat different on the issue.

“While I agree that teacher observations are vital in evaluating an instructor, I would not like to have so much reliance fall on standardized test scores since in some cases, it can cause an instructor to focus the most attention on test taking methods which can deprive students of many other learning experiences.”

However, the report concludes that the best way to rate professors is to rely on these scores, which is also referred to as a value-added formula, and to observe instructors several times throughout the year by the aforementioned certified evaluators.

Certification is only granted if the evaluators go through and pass a program in which they must analyze lessons in order to gain experience and better understand what he or she must be looking for when evaluating another instructor.

“In order for an observer to properly evaluate a professor, that observer must have a solid knowledge of what constitutes good teaching,” said psychology professor, Stephen Charman.  He explained that due to the fact that different instructors have different teaching methods and beliefs on what ‘good teaching’ really is, rating one another without having some sort general training or guideline would be ineffective.
“I can certainly understand teachers’ hesitance with being evaluated by a professor/administrator since the very knowledge of being evaluated can change the way the professor teaches. Consequently, what is being evaluated is not the teacher’s normal teaching style, but their teaching style when they know they are being evaluated,”Charman said.

While some teachers might feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, or perhaps judged by being watched, rated and evaluated, others including both feel that the evaluations are quite beneficial.

“I think it’s good; a lot of students who feel their classes are being taught poorly won’t go to administration to explain their experience,” said junior and international relations major Darcy Rachel Ruiz

She agreed with the necessity and benefits of teacher evaluations. Also, in response to the possible discomfort that can be caused by observing a teacher perform his or her job, Peterson stated, “Teachers themselves, maybe retired teachers, could evaluate peers.”

Peterson feels that there is no one better to evaluate teachers but teachers themselves who are aware of the methods of teaching and what they must look for in a good instructor.  This could also ease the evaluated teacher’s nerves and perhaps add a sense of comfort.

He said that as of now the evaluations will continue to be more strenuous particularly as we near 2014.

Be the first to comment on "Observation of professors turns into larger issue"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*