Third Person Perspectives:

Videotaping and Analyzing Your Classes

By viewing your class as an outside observer might (but without the intrusion of an actual additional person in the classroom), it is possible to see a number of interactions and patterns in your classroom presentation style that you would not notice otherwise. It's also enlightening to see your students from an observer's point of view rather than as you would ordinarily see them in the heat of a classroom session. The Center for Teaching Excellence provides equipment for taping classes for your own formative analyses of teaching -- you, the instructor, maintain ownership of the tape as well as full discretion over the use of the tape. You may, of course, find that you wish to share your results with others, but that is entirely up to you. In case you choose to analyze your class along with others, the Center for Teaching Excellence can assist you with amenities. Here is how it's done:

The instructor initiates and carries out the procedure for videotaping:

• At least one week in advance, make an appointment with the Center for Teaching Excellence to have your class taped.
• The camcorder is delivered and set up by CTE staff.
• Instructor controls tape on/off during class.
• Instructor keeps tape; CTE picks up camcorder after class.

Analysis of the class on tape can be done in several ways:

• View the tape on your own.
• Invite colleagues of your choice to view and review (or, ask CTE to suggest colleagues to invite)
• Join a user's group -- view and review in a small group with others who each have videotaped their classes.