OCCC’s Adjunct Observation Instrument

OCCC values the 400+ adjunct faculty members who provide excellent instruction and support to our students as they learn.  Many times adjunct faculty members are provided some initial resources and then a feeling of isolation can develop as they work to teach their courses.  To help provide a conduit for structured teaching and learning focused conversations, OCCC has implemented an adjunct observation instrument.  The goal of this instrument is to help provide support, direction, and guidance to the members of our adjunct faculty.

Seven Principles of Good Undergraduate Education

OCCC based the Adjunct Observation Instrument (AOI) on Chickering and Gamson's "Seven Principles of Good Undergraduate Education" (1987).  This landmark work has been adopted as a framework for quality collegiate level instruction across the United States.  The seven principles address elements of student engagement as well as instructor professionalism.

The Seven Principles of Good Undergraduate Education are:

1.  Encourage contact between students and faculty
2.  Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students
3.  Encourage active learning
4.  Provides prompt feedback
5. Emphasize time on task
6.  Communicate high expectations
7.  Respect diverse talents and ways of learning

These principles apply to all courses regardless of the format in which the class is taught. While the way in which each of these principles are manifested differ with the learning environment, each is still an essential part of the course being taught.

The Center for Learning and Teaching has identified multiple resources that may support professional growth related to the use of this instrument.  They can be found on the Adjunct Observation Instrument Resources page.