Evaluation and observation provide opportunities for you to see both your strengths and make improvements to your teaching. All teaching faculty and staff at Harvard are evaluated by students at the end of the semester. These scores are reported in the Q Guide. Additionally, EPS TFs and TFs teaching in EPS courses have access to mid-semester surveys that allow them to understand their strengths and weaknesses and make improvements before the end of the semester.

Teaching Evaluation, Observation, and Feedback: 

Before the semester

• Microteaching

As part of the G1 and First-Time TF training offered by the EPS preceptors, TFs/TAs have the opportunity to plan and present a 5-minute mini lesson and receive feedback. 

During the semester

• Mid-semester surveys

Mid-semester surveys are carried out for all TFs/TAs teaching for the first or second time in EPS sections or labs. TFs/TAs that do not teach a lab or section may choose to have a survey emailed to their students. Those TFs/TAs teaching their third+ section have the option to have a survey administered to their students. The surveys are specifically geared toward section or lab, but with prior arrangement, instructors may also request surveys providing feedback on lecture. TFs/TAs may choose to add course-specific questions to the surveys.

The EPS preceptors will email the TF/TA and provide a few options for when the survey will be administered during section or lab. On the scheduled day, one of the preceptors emails a survey link to the students and may visit the lab or section for the first five minutes to announce the survey and encourage the students to complete the survey on lab computers or their own laptops or cell phones. Having the preceptor "administer" the survey in class encourages the students to fill it out at that moment and be honest in their responses. The results of the survey are anonymous. Results of the surveys are provided to the TF/TA and allow them to understand their strengths and weaknesses and make improvements before the end of the semester. As necessary, the preceptors meet with the TF/TA to discuss improvement strategies, goals, and additional training and practicing opportunities.

• In-class or video observations

Observations by preceptors are required for all 1st time TFs and strongly recommended for all 2nd time TFs. Multiple observation options are available:

(1)    In-class: The preceptor or Bok Center representative will attend a section (typically the same one as the section survey) and observe the TF/TA.

(2)    In-class recording: For lab courses that cannot be held in a different location, the TF can arrange for the Bok Center staff to professionally record the TF teaching on location.

 (3)    Recorded at Bok Center: The TF schedules the recording room at the Bok Center and holds section there while being professionally taped by Bok Center Staff.

Following the observation, the TF/TA will meet with either an EPS preceptor or a consultant from the Bok Center to discuss their notes and observations. TFs/TAs may keep video recordings for their teaching portfolios.

End of the semester

• Student evaluations (Q scores)

At the end of the semester, all of the students in your courses will be asked to evaluate the course, course head, and TF/TA for each class they have completed. These scores are reported shortly after the end of the semester in the Harvard Q Guide. You should receive an email when your scores are available. TFs with scores 4.5 or above (out of 5) are eligible for the teaching awards given by the Bok Center (see Recognition page). Student evaluations may be useful to include in your teaching portfolio when applying for jobs.

• Debrief with preceptors

This is a very informal opportunity for you to talk with the preceptor(s) about your experience. We request that you meet with the preceptors to share general information about the course (electronic copies of the syllabus and schedule, textbook and software information, equipment used, etc...) that will benefit future TFs. The preceptors will email you towards the end of the semester you teach to set up this meeting. If you'd like, you can also set up a meeting to talk about how to look at your evaluations and glean the most important "takeaways" for your future teaching.

• TF survey

The preceptors use your feedback to prepare future TFs for the same course, as well as take note of issues with the expected versus actual number of hours worked, etc... Contact the preceptors if you'd like to take the survey.