ITC: Procedures

(for additional information about ITC, please read its description)

1. Contact the Sheridan Center to make an appointment two (2) weeks in advance so that we can arrange for consultants to visit your class. The optimal way to do this is via the form on this web site.
Give yourself more time if you can't use the form, and need to contact the Center either by e-mail or telephone.

2. The Observee Form: It is your responsibility to let the consultants know what you wish to accomplish in the session they are to observe. As the consultants are not experts in your specific field, you need to clearly explain how (pedagogy) you plan to teach, not what (content) you plan to teach. The consultants also need to know the context for this session, its relationship to the course as a whole. PLEASE fill in the form fully and if you have questions, please contact the Center ASAP.

3. The Observation: Two consultants will observe and videotape the session. We recommend videotaping so that you can see what your students see. Please advise your students in advance that the class will be observed for your benefit, not for evaluating student performance in the class. Consultants will remain for one hour of any session. The consultants will leave the tape with you for your private viewing.

4. Meeting: You and the consultants will arrange a meeting within two weeks of the session to discuss their observations and recommendations which will be included in the Final Report.

5. Final Report: An official copy of the Final Report will be sent to you by the Sheridan Center. This Final Report is for your own records and your own use. It will not be sent to your department. We do not recommend that these be submitted to any form of University review board (such as CONFRAT). A confidential copy will be kept on file at the Center.

6. Follow-up Questionnaire: The Center will send this to you via e-mail to help us assess your experience. Please return it to the Center as soon as possible.

N.B.
a) Discipline-specific expertise: The consultants who visit your class have been chosen because they are not experts in your discipline. This will ensure that they focus primarily on your teaching rather than on your course content. If you wish to get suggestions from those who are knowledgeable in your discipline, the Center encourages you to contact members of your department for a separate session intra-department. Your departmental FTL or GSL may be able to help with this.
b) Pedagogical Goals and Objectives: The " Sample ITC Observee Form" and "Master Syllabus Form" will help you to define your educational goals and objectives. The "Elements of an Effective Teaching Style" lists the hallmarks of good teaching.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sheridan Center. We hope that you will find this a useful and constructive experience.