By Tucker Reilly, News Assignment Editor
For the past several months, Dr. Connie Perkins, the founding director of nursing at St. Bonaventure University, has been gathering data for a pilot study for a new teaching tool. The study aims to find practical applications in a classroom setting for the tool, titled Evidence Based Classroom Observation Tool, or EBCOT.
“[EBCOT] is a three-step process,” said Perkins. “First step, the observed professor fills out a form describing their program or class. Second step, an observer comes and finds key objectives such as engagement or diversity, to see if there’s clear messaging to students, and if goals are met. Third step, the observer and observed have a conversation in order to exchange ideas and find new strategies.”
A particular feature that makes EBCOT unique among other observation and evaluation tools is its reliance on development and interdisciplinary participation to inform new methods of teaching.
“[EBCOT] is not a scoring system – which I think makes it unique. This tool is drafted to be a growth mindset; instead of ‘no’ it’s ‘not yet,’’ said Perkins. “Usually you would just have a professor graded on ‘yes or no,’ but here, it’s ‘they just haven’t done it yet.’ One of the main points is that we are all here to educate students and we can be exposed to other methods of doing so.”
The Spring 2021 semester is the final data collection period for the study, which began in Fall 2020. Notice Board announcements, beginning on Jan. 27, offer $100 to any faculty members willing to participate.
“The goal of the process is to get feedback in how [EBCOT] is phrased or worded, or used in any department – the goal is 30 faculty members,” said Perkins. “[When they join the study], people are put into an interdisciplinary team with members of other schools and departments. I’ve recruited participants from every school, every role possible and the goal is to get feedback from each role to see if we could use this moving forward as a method of teaching.”
While data collection is still in progress, Perkins has observed some promising results so far and is optimistic about the practical applications of EBCOT once the study has concluded.
“We’ve found that this information has passed both ways so far, with both observed and observing professors offering new information,” said Perkins.
“We’ve had even tenured professors comment that they have learned new strategies to use in the classroom.”
The future of EBCOT lies in the feedback of faculty members and Perkins hopes to offer the tool as an option for schools to use for improvement.
“We will be doing a presentation based on feedback at the Faculty Resource Center and then it will be available to be used by any school if they wish,” said Perkins. “I’d also like to offer this tool to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN] to be used on a national level if they would like it.”
reillyt19@bonaventure.edu
