Some of the UNSW Scientia Education Fellows will be opening their classroom doors as part of a pilot during Week 5 in Term 3 (Week 12 in Semester 2 in Canberra).
With a genuine passion to inspire students to achieve their absolute best, the Fellows who are teaching this term will share their ideas and practices around teaching by opening their classrooms to UNSW staff.
If you have any queries about the Pilot Open Class Initiative, please email: Open Class
Where should I sit and what should I do?
Try and sit at the back - this will help you to see what most of the students are doing as well as observe the educator in action. It will also minimise any disturbance on the class. Students should have priority when it comes to seating in the class.
The observation is for your own learning and benefit, so feel free to take notes or just listen and observe the class as it unfolds. Below are some tips that may help you when observing someone else's class.
Should I introduce myself to the Fellow at the beginning of the class?
If you arrive early and feel that it is appropriate to introduce yourself, then do so. As long as you are not taking the Fellow away from their students or teaching tasks then this is fine.
Should I approach the Fellow after the class?
If you have had an amazing learning experience observing their class, then we’re sure any Fellow would love to hear encouraging words from their colleagues, provided this does not interrupt them from speaking with students afterwards.
Should I talk to the students in the class I'm observing?
If there is time before or after the class, it may be helpful to strike a brief conversation with students who are available and in your vicinity to gauge their perspectives.
What if I'm late to the class?
Come in through a back door quietly if possible, so as not to distract others. If this is not possible, we respectfully ask that you not attend that class and pick another one to observe.
Do I have to or should I provide feedback to the Fellow?
No, not unless you both agree to this. The primary aim of observing someone’s class is to see what teaching and learning approaches have been successfully used, and what you may wish to do in your own teaching. Remember that the Fellows have volunteered to open their classes.
What if I witness something I am uncomfortable with?
This largely depends on what you witness. If the disciplinary subject matter in that class is, for any reason, uncomfortable for you personally then leaving the class may be the best immediate course of action to take. Alternatively, if you feel that anything in the class breached the University’s rules or policies then the usual protocols or procedures that relate to WHS and student/staff conduct apply.
I forgot to register for a class - can I still go?
So as to manage numbers and not disrupt the classes, spaces in classes are limited. We ask that you only attend classes that you have registered for.
When observing, try to take in all elements of the class and make as many notes as you can.
It might be helpful to imagine you are a student in the class and think about how they might be experiencing it (but do not lose sight of the teaching process – much of the content will be really fascinating and may distract you!).
The following framing of the observation useful:
Other aspects you may wish to consider include:
Document your notes and reflect on this experience. What can you learn from this in terms of your own teaching practice?
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Taken from the Foundations of University Learning and Teaching (FULT) Program Module 1 which includes a topic on Formative Peer Review of Teaching.
The Pilot: SEA Open Class Initiative has been adopted from a similar and successful ‘Open Door Week’ at Sydney University. It aims to create opportunities for UNSW staff to be inspired by the Fellows who are known for their leadership and contributions to enriching educational excellence at UNSW and beyond.
