Improving Observation of Diverse College Classrooms: A G-Theory Study of Culturally Relevant Teaching

• In Event: Classroom Observation Instruments and Tools

Abstract

In an observational study of culturally relevant teaching, many aspects of the research design can affect reliability of the measure. Generalizability theory can examine the optimal number of raters and occasions needed to for reliable measurement in an observational system. Yet, G Theory has rarely, if ever, been applied to observational systems in college teaching. Observational study of college teaching is increasingly important as faculty are called upon to use new frameworks to reach diverse college learners. This study examined culturally relevant teaching in college classrooms at one public comprehensive university in the US, using G Theory to determine the optimal number of raters and time points for observation given desired reliability.

Authors

• Corbin M. Campbell, American University

• Johnnie Yaj, University of California - Los Angeles