Classroom Observation

Date October 21, 2013

Instructor Name Don Dillard
Supervisor Name Carla Todaro, Dean of Humanities
Course Philosophy 1030-112 Human Nature and Life

Instructor Organization Satisfactory/
Unsatisfactory
Comments
The instructor stated the
relation of the class to the
previous one.
S Informed the class that they would
continue their studies from the previous
class with a discussion of Hobbes and
Rousseu.
The instructor knew how
to use the educational
technology needed for the
class.
S Enabled the students to access
Powerpoint to make a presentation.
The instructor
summarized periodically.
S Placed summary notes on the board and
summarized verbally when moving from
one point to the next.
Variety and Pacing of
Instruction
Satisfactory/
Unsatisfactory
Comments
More than one form of
instruction was used.
S Quiz, lecture, lecture notes, group
discussion
The instructor provided
explicit directions for
active learning tasks.
S This instruction had been provided
previously to guide student
presentations.
The instructor used class
time appropriately
S Class time was portioned appropriately
to accommodate quiz, review of
semester schedule, presentation, lecture,
and discussion.
Interaction with
Students
Satisfactory/
Unsatisfactory
Comments
The instructors
explanations were clear.
S
The instructor helped
students feel free to ask
questions.
S Encouraged students questions and
showed respect toward the opinions they
expressed.
The instructor answered
student questions
satisfactorily.
S Answered questions in a manner that
prompted further discussion and
exploration of new or related ideas.
The instructor treated
students with respect.
S
The instructor seemed
genuinely interested in
what he/she was teaching.

S
Talked with enthusiasm, followed
students lines of reasoning and
contributed to their discussion; worked
to generate interest in the ideas and
information that was presented; made
the class fun and engaging






General Observations / Comments

Mr. Dillard is scholarly and professional; he exposes students to new ideas and
reframes their comments using academic vocabulary and sophisticated phrasing.
His command of the discipline is evident and impressive, and the classroom
experience is structured so that students can learn the material easily and
understand it thoroughly. Quizzes assess learning, assignments ask students to
respond to ideas and to one another, and structured materials such as the semester
schedule keep students headed toward success.

Mr. Dillard puts students at ease by talking with them before class, listening
carefully to their ideas, and encouraging them to express differing viewpoints.
Students are comfortable enough to challenge even the instructors assertions
respectfully and seem to enjoy the exchange of ideas that results. He turns this
expression of ideas into learning opportunities by asking students to justify their
opinions and explain their points of difference. Finally, he links their ideas back to
the course content to reinforce their understanding of key concepts. It is clear that
both the talkative and quiet students are engaged with the course.

Mr. Dillard is a confident and effective teacher of philosophy. His learning
environment is inviting, and his instruction is sound.