Peer Visitation Assignment

You are required to visit one of your fellow GSI’s sections to observe and comment on their teaching skills. This is a good opportunity for you to see how other people teach section. In the past, this has been very effective for generating new ideas (for both participants) on how to run a better section in general.

We want you to do this assignment next week. Here are the necessary steps:

  • Choose a partner by Sunday 9/12 and fill out the table: write your name, the name of the GSI you are visiting, and the time of the section you are visiting. Note: your partner can be GSIing the same class as you or not. Also, you are free to choose to visit a GSI not in this class (i.e., Therese for C10 or Yookyung for 7A). Please discuss with your partner what day and time next week would be best for your visit.
    • To fill out the table, click “edit this page” at the top of the page. You will need to sign in to be able to do so.
  • Attend the section and bring a copy of the questions listed below. Answer them while observing. Also, jot down some notes of what you liked or disliked.
  • After both partners have attended each other's section, meet outside of Ay300 and discuss each other's responses. What general impressions did you have of each other's sections? What did you like or dislike?
  • Bring the filled out response sheet to class on 9/20 for a class discussion.

This is due on 9/20 when we will discuss the results for the group as a whole.

Visitor Visitee Section Attending
Aaron Lee Josh Shiode Monday 9-10am
Michelle Kislak Rachel Kennedy Wednesday 1-2
Jieun Choi Rachel Kennedy Wednesday 1-2
Rachel Kennedy Michelle Kislak Thursday 10-11
Tim Kwan Jonathan Wednesday 12-1
Allison Merritt Jessamyn Allen Tuesday 3-4
Jessamyn Allen Allison Merritt Tuesday 9-10
Casey Stark Karto Monday 1-2
Jonathan Wright Tim Monday 10-11
Marin Anderson Iok Chang Wednesday 10-11
Iok Chang Marin Anderson Friday 12-1
Garrett Karto Keating Francesca Fornasini Monday 2-3
Francesca Fornasini Katie Silverio Monday 1-2
Katie Silverio Casey Stark Thursday 11-12
Michael Yee Therese Thursday 1-2

Worksheet

Observing GSI:

Observed GSI:

Date & Time of Section Observed:

  1. Briefly summarize the section that you visited (e.g. what was taught, how it was presented, any demos or activities that were used).
  2. Describe the student's reactions (e.g. were they engaged, did all students/groups participate equally).
  3. How did this GSI's presentation of the material differ from the way you would have presented the same content?
  4. Comment on how the GSI presented themselves in section. Did the environment appear comfortable? How did the students appear to react to the GSI?
  5. List two or three of the GSI's strengths.
  6. Give two or three suggestions for how the GSI might improve their teaching in the future.
  7. What's one thing that you saw that you'd like to incorporate into your own sections?