Class Observation Assignment

All of you have emailed your first choice professor for class observations, and some of you have already heard back that you are allowed to come and observe.  If you haven't heard back from your first choice professor by the end of the day today, email your next choice professor.  You should be asking to observe during the first week of November.

Here is what you will be doing for this class observation project:

1. Before observing:

• Once you figure out which class you're observing, go to the department's website (by searching for it on www.psu.edu). On that departmental website, look for a tab about the degree program that you are pursuing, and find the class description of the class you are taking.  There will probably be a sample syllabus there (like this: http://www.mne.psu.edu/Undergraduate/Curriculum-MECore.html). Print out a copy of this syllabus to take with you to the class and to have as you prepare your presentation.  
• If you are unable to find a syllabus, email the professor you are observing to see if he or she might be able to send you a copy.  
• Also, figure out which building your class will be in and make sure you know how to get there.  

2. During the observation:

• You don't want to be late when you observe your class - try to get there at least 10 minutes early.  
• If the professor is there and doesn't seem too busy, you could go and introduce yourself at the beginning of class.  If the professor seems busy at the beginning, wait until after class to go and introduce yourself.  Don't take too much time doing this - just say your name and that you are the international student who emailed them about observing, and thank them for letting you come.   
• Sit back down in your seat and make sure you have paper to take notes on.  Take notes in three topic areas:
• what is happening in class in terms of activities and material (what topics are covered and how?)
• what the students are doing (how they are interacting with each other and with the professor)
• what the professor is doing (how he or she is interacting with the students)

3. After the observation

• Send an email to the professor you observed thanking them for permitting you to visit their class.
• Prepare for your presentation by looking at the rubric on Angel to make sure that you have information about each area.
• Practice your presentation so that you are ready on Nov. 18 or 20