Appendix: Observing the Czech Cinema class by Richard Stock, Academic Director of CIEE
Richard Stock, Academic Director (rstock@ciee.org)
Faculty Member: Petra Dominkova
Course: Czech Cinema
Semester: Spring 2015
Date: April 7, 2015
Week of the semester: 8
Observer: Rick Stock
Number of students present 13
Descriptions from the observer
Describe the teaching style of the professor, based on this one class example.
• Energetic, social, teaching with students not to them, both discussion and lecture
Describe the atmosphere of the class, based on this one class example.
• Comfortable, entertaining in a good way
Describe the behavior and approach of this group of students, based on this one class example.
• Interested, involved because of implementation of lesson
Outline the structure of this class, what was done when, for how long, and in what order.
• Starts on time
• Logistical issues to 0:05
• 0:05 to 0:45 student presentation
• 0:45 to 1:00 questions from homework assignment
• 1:00 to 1:30 lecture
Along with written comments, assess a number to each of the below items corresponding to the following
scale: 0 = Not Applicable or Not Relevant, 1 = Strongly Agree, 2 = Agree, 3 = Disagree, 4 = Strongly
Disagree.
The professor
The professor exhibited an interest in the material.
• 1
The professor treated students with respect.
• 1, professor clearly wants student involvement
The professor directed the class with authority at the appropriate times and in appropriate ways.
• n/a
The professor was well-prepared for the class and this preparation was clear to students.
• 1
The professor used correct academic English during the class. The professor’s level of English is excellent,
as it should be for teaching in this program.
• 1
The content
The material covered in this class fit well into the overall plan of the course as represented in the syllabus
and also any other smaller units within the semester course. The material also was clearly directed toward
an evaluation in the form of an exam, paper, or other instrument.
• 1
• Class accords to the syllabus plan
• References to midterm papers completed emphasized that the class meeting is linked to evaluations like
this (those to come as well).
The objective of this class was stated, emphasized more than once, and was accomplished.
• n/a, no objective stated
The class
Class time was used well. Class started on time and ended on time (not early or late). Time on task was
reasonably high.
• 1
• Good variety of activities and effectively frequent changing of activities to keep students’ attention.
• However, it was a bit difficult to tell why these parts of the class were together in one session. Especially
the cinematography lecture did not fit, and it did not seem to be clear why it was being addressed in this
class.
The professor used an appropriate amount of interactive teaching methods during the class, at least 30%
of the class time. Interactive methods include interaction between the students and the teacher or among
students.
• 1
• The presentations were required to contain questions for students, so in that way there was studentstudent
interaction, and the professor also asked and responded to questions.
When teaching a discussion, the professor asked good questions, prepared students well for the
discussion, used appropriate wait time, re-directed and otherwise managed the discussion well, etc.
• 1
• Good ad hoc connections were made to parts of the film.
Visual aids were used effectively. If visual aids were used, they were designed and implemented
effectively. If visual aids were not used, they would not have benefitted the class. This includes handouts
as well as things appearing on a screen.
• 1
• Clips were used well: long enough to provide material, but not taking too much class time.
The professor effectively presented material, using good presentation skills such as voice tone, volume,
and variety; physical movement and positioning; eye contact; and exhibited preparation and practice for
the presentation.
• 1
There was a clear value-added to this class meeting. Students gained something they would not be able
to gain by individual reading, consuming other media, or doing out-of-class activities.
• 2
• The discussions were certainly beneficial activities that could not be done outside the classroom.
• However, the lecture on cinematography did not seem to be much better than the students reading the
web page that was used for themselves. This lecture appeared a bit disorganized and seemed to be little
more than reviewing this web page.
The material covered in the class and the assignment completed for the class reflects what is written in the
syllabus, including the weekly schedule.
• 1
• Seems to be exactly on the syllabus plan.
The students
During the class, most of the students were engaged and attentive most of the time.
• 1
• There was quite good participation, only a minority did not speak at all. It seemed to me that this was
mainly due to the effectiveness of the lesson. I think without that this group of students (on this day)
would not participate of their own free will.
During the class, students participated in discussions and activities when the correct context was created
for them.
• 1
• Again, because of the good teaching.
Students were able to show in the class that they had completed the assignment required for that class.
That is, they both did the assignment and also explicitly used that homework in the class (so that it is clear
that they did the assignment).
• 2
• In discussing the films, students could and did show that they watched and understood the films.
• The “small homework” discussion in the middle of the class was not clear what students were supposed
to do or whether they actually did it. It seemed unorganized. It was something about picking a small quote
from the reading, but students were not called on, and at least two of those who responded made other
comments, not quoting from the reading.
