Teacher Candidate Observation Instrument (TCOI)
Initial Candidate (Student Teaching)
T, LIBERAL EDUCATION: A liberal education prepares one for “Tifelong intellectual, personal, and
professional growth.” A liberally-educated teach:
passion fo communicate this knowledge.
one who possesses great content knowledge and a
Ele, Values intellectual independence (D)
Indicators
4
Evidence
Ta & Ib, Possesses and applies content
knowledge across the curriculum (K,S)
{ Domain 1- Planning and Preparation)
1. Little or no knowledge of content in one oF
‘more subjects; makes uncorrected errors in
content; does not correct exrors made by students;
lacks awareness of connectedness of concepts.
2, Limited knowledge of content in one or more
subjects; makes content errors in one ot more
subjects or does not correct ervors made by
students; lacks awareness of connectedness of
concepts
3, Familiar with the concepts inthe disciplines
being taught; corrects teacher and student ervoss;
limited awareness of how the concepts relate to
cone another
4. Accurate knowledge of concepts in the subjects
taught; corrects teacher and student errors; solid
awareness of how the concepts inthe discipline
relate to one another
5. Accurate, deep, and extensive knowledge of
‘concepts in the discipline and how they relate
‘both to one another and to other disciplines;
readily assists students in correcting errors or
misconceptions in content
Not Able to Rate (NATR)
NATR
*
+
COMMENTS:
‘All content is accurately demonstrated
‘Uses multiple resources in addition to the textbook
Readily corrects teacher and student errors
Gives constructive and supportive feedback to
incorrect sludent responses
Additional Evidence:
nal Suggestions:
Clarifies concepts and addresses misconceptions
Gives appropriate feedback to comrect student
responses
Provides prompts to increase the student's ability
to recognize and comrect errors
Revised 1/7/13Teacher Candidate Observation Instrument (TCOL)
Initial Candidate (Student Teaching)
TL. LIBERAL EDUCATION: A liberal education prepares one for “lifelong intellectual, personal, and
professional growth.” A liberally-edueated teacher is one who possesses great content knowledge and a
passion to communicate this knowledge.
Ede, Values intellectual independence (D)
*
Tb, Practices and encourages eritical
thinking, problem-solving and innovation fo
‘meet students? needs (S)
(Domain 3: Instruction}
1. No attempts are made to encourage critical
thinking ; all questions are of poor quality (i...
low level with single correct response; questions
are asked quickly giving students little time to
think,
2, Few attempts are made to encourage critical
thinking; most questions are of low level and
asked quickly with litle time to think of
thoughifl responses
3, Multiple artempts are made to encourage
‘critical thinking; questions are a combination of
low and high quality (one answer responses and
‘open-ended); some questions elicit thoughtful
responses
4, Multiple attempts are made fo encourage
ccitical thinking; most questions are of high
‘quality; students are given adequate time to
respond.
5, Consistently practices and encourages critical
thinking by using various and alternate
‘explanations in an effort to enhance siudents"
deep understanding; questions are consistently of
high quality with adequate time to respond.
Students sometimes develop their own questions.
Not Able to Rate (NATR)
NAIR
‘Uses appropriate instructional strategies (€.2.
projects, discussions, discovery learning,
differeneiated instruction, cooperative leaming,
literacy centers, balanced literacy techniques) 10
facilitate critical thinking
4 Consistently uses open-ended questions
Uses “wait-time” effectively
4 Uses various group configurations to mect
students" needs and address individual interests
“+ Consistently uses metacognitive techniques (e.2,
think-alouds) to teach strategies
Explicitly teaches vacious critical thinking
strategies (e.g., inductive and deductive thinking,
compare/contrast, metaphorical reasoning,
analogies, ete.)
Uses Bloom's Taxonomy to select activities,
instructional strategies, and questions
Guides students as they make various connections
to other subject arcas
& Uses “gradual release of responsibility” effectively
4 Uses open-ended and divergent questions to
‘generate discussions
‘> Fosters independent thinking by allowing students
to give their opinions based on evidence
Gives students choices in methods of presenting
assignments
+ Facilitates student-generated problems and
solutions
Additional Evidence:
COMMENTS:
Revised 1/7/13Teacher Candidate Observation Instrument (TCOI)
Initial Candidate (Student Teaching)
T, LIBERAL EDUCATION: A liberal education prepares one for
jong intellectual, personal, and professional
growth.” A liberally-educated teacher is one who possesses great content knowledge and a passion to communicate
| this knowledge.
1-26, belive that positive constructivist classroom is critical to student engagement (D)
Indicators # Evidence
Ta, Understands constructivism a5 i pertains Uses “gradual release of responsibilty” model
to student learning and students ereating th effectively
‘own meaning. (K) 4 ‘Teacher asks higher level open-ended questions
1, Demonstrates no understanding of 4 Respecis students” opinions as they respond to
constructivism and its relationship to student 1 questions
learning, Uses students? background knowledge a the
starting point for the lesson and to bring meaning
2. Demonstrates lite understanding of and relevance tothe lesson.
Constructivism and its relationship to student 4 ‘Teachers use strategies and activites that requite
leaning. students to synthesize information presented
4 Teachers guide students as they “discover”
3, Demonsttates a developing understanding of pattern and make connections.
‘onstructivisn and its relationship to student 2 4 Teachers guide students as they use information to
earning draw conclusions.
Teachers allot enough time for students to explore
4, Demonstrates thorough understanding of concepts.
constructivism and its relationship to student 4 Explain the nature of learning to students
Teatning; shares that understanding with students 4% Additional Evidence:
5. Consistently demonstrates a thorough 3
“understanding of constructivism and its ‘COMMENTS
relationship to student learning; explicitly teaches
students about constructivism and its implications
for learning,
[Not Able to Rate (NATR)
NATR
Revised 1/7/13Teacher Candidate Observation Instrument (TCOL)
Initial Candidate (Student Teaching)
T, LIBERAL EDUCATION: A liberal education prepares one for “lifelong intellectual, personal, and professional
growth.” A liberally-educated teacher is one who possesses great content knowledge and 2 passion to communicate
this knowledge.
Disposition
{:2e, believes that a postive constructivist classroom is critical to student engagement
-— Indicators é Evidence
Tb, Creates a learning community that $F Siadents work in small cooperative groups
bolsters the tenets of constructivism by % Physical arrangement of classroom allows students
encouraging student interaction and to workin small groups.
participation in purposeful activities (8) 4 Physical anangement allows teachor to see all
students and have access to them
{Domain 2: The Classroom Environment} 1 Teacher guides class discussions.
Students lead discussions in small groups.
1. No evidence that students are encouraged to Lesson and assignments meet the learning needs of
interact and participate in purposeful class all stadents
activities; teacher interaction toward most 4 Faillates student-to-teachor and studentto- |
students is negative, demeaning or sarcastic; student interactions |
students show no respect forthe tscher 4 Teacher has high expectations for ali studonts |
(5 lovel of questions, cues given, various
2. Little evidence thnt students are encouraged to | 2 assignments, cle.)
Jnterat and participate in purposefl class 4 Motivates and invites all stadents to participate
activites; teacher interaction to some students is 4 Students ace not isolated for inexplicable reasons.
negative or sarcastic; student show litle respect “Most ofthe students ae actively engaged
forthe teecher throughout the lesson.
Students and teacher interact with each other in
3. Some evidence that students are encouraged to respecful ways (eg. no sarcasm, ridicule, et.)
interact and participate in purposefl class 3 4 Bnsures that attention is given equitably to all
activites; teacherstudent interactions ace usually students (gender, race, SES, etc.)
appropriate with occasional inconsistencies, Additional Evidence:
favottsm, or insensitivity to some stadents*
cultures; students show minimal respect forthe Other Suggestions:
teacher. ‘Uses various instructional formas (8,
whole group small group, pars,
4, Usually encourages students to interact and individual, etc.)
participate in purposeful class ativities; teacher Confers with individual students
student interactions are cordial and demonstrate Heterogeneous Seating Arrangement and
cating and respect. Interactions are appropriate Grouping (race, gender, bility, language,
forthe age and caltues of the studens, Students ote)
show respect forthe teaches. + Prepares modified anddifferentiated
assignments ahead of time
5. Consistently encourages students o interact 5 «Sunints assume responsibility fo ther
and participate in purporefl class activities; ouieane
teacher interactions with exoups and indvidal
sfudents appear genie; students soem to trast, ounceure:
the teacher.
Not Able‘To Rate (NATR)
NATR
Revised 1/7/13Teacher Candidate Observation Instrument (TCOT)
Initial Candidate (Student Teaching)
TI, PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE: Danielson (1996) posits that “a person cannot teach what he or she does not
know” (p. 62). The researcher further contends that while content knowledge is necessary in the development of
‘exemplary teachers, pedagogical techniques are eritieal to a teacher's effectiveness. Wesleyan College’s teacher
‘education candidates are those who attain a high degree of competence in their knowledge, skills, and dispositior
necessary to lead a classroom of students, Tn addition, the candidates recognize the preeminence of human
selationships in teaching. i
Dispositions
U-3e, Appreciates the impact of learner development on instructional decisions
i Indicators @ Evidence: it
Ti-3a, Understands and uses best practices, F Lesson meets all students” developmental needs
various learning theories, subject matter, (materials and resources, length of lesson, cto.) a5
curriculum development, and learner indicated by the level of student engagement.
development to make curricular and 4 Information is accessible to all students.
instructional decisions (K, S) 1 4 Smdents are actively engaged throughout the
Tesson
{Domain 1: Planning and Preparation} 4 Teacher activates and builds schema before the
lesson,
1. The content, curricular and instructional 4 Teacher is responsive to students’ questions
decisions are not based on learning theories and 4 ‘Teacher responds to students” lack of
the developmental needs of students; no evidence understanding.
(of differentiation of instructional strategies ‘Teacher provides the necessary support for
2 students as they learn new material
2. The content, curricular, and instructional (constructivism).
‘decisions are partially based on learning theories Uses “gradual release of responsibility” effectively
‘and the developmental needs of students; little and consistently.
‘evidence of differentiation of instructional 4 Uses questioning and discussing techniques
strategies. Additional Evidence:
3, While the content and curricular decisions are 3
based on learning theories and the developmental COMMENTS:
needs of students, the instructional strategies lack
differentiation.
4, All ofthe content, curricular, and instructional