Abstract:

Evaluation is a systematic, comprehensive examination of the quality and effectiveness of educational activities. Many tools are used in evaluation of teaching and learning. One of the appropriate tools to complement the complex evaluation processes is a classroom observation. The paper focuses on the implementation of optional, so-called teacher-requested observations within the evaluation processes of a selected university in the Czech Republic. The purpose of such kind of observation is to improve the pedagogical effectiveness of teachers, focused especially on their teaching competences. This means that the required observation in the classroom is carried out in those teachers who are included in the evaluation of their teaching in the given semester, and they took the advantage of the offered observation. The aim of the paper is to assess the observation activity within the selected university, taking place by the method of a standardized observation and a follow-up interview between the supervised teacher and the evaluator twice a year during the academic year.

Specifically, the paper focuses on the analysis of structured observation protocols from the point of view of:
(a) the form and course of university teaching led by academicians,
(b) course-specific, didactic and teaching competences of the teachers,
(c) teachers‘ presentation skills, verbal and nonverbal communication.

It is clear from the results that the examined teaching can be considered as successful, conducted with professional knowledge, but with some certain shortcomings especially in the didactic and communication with students.

Keywords:

Evaluation, observation, quality of teaching, tertiary education, teaching competences.