2025 Fall Observation Report

Observation Report 2025-2026

When answering the following questions, please write descriptive and complete sentences. These will be helpful to the assistant director when they write letters of recommendation for the consultant. After submitting the report, take 35-40 minutes to debrief with the consultant you observed. The consultant will receive a digital copy of your report, but often the real learning in the observation process happens during the debrief. Offer detailed praise, constructive critique, and helpful advice about how well the consultant met the student's goals.
Consultant Name
Consultant Email
example@example.com
Observer Name
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
How did the consultant do with basic procedures and set-up at the beginning?
(This includes such things as welcoming the student, asking if they've been in before, explaining ND/NE and our time limit, explaining that accommodations are available upon request, telling student about the exit survey, asking if they want a note sent to the professor, and helping them navigate technology as needed.)
How did the consultant do with discussing the assignment and deadline, what the student has done so far, the student's goals, and the agenda for the session?
(Some useful questions for them to ask at this point include: "What is the writing task as you understand it?", "What have you done up to this point?", "What do you hope to accomplish in our meeting today?", "What should we prioritize if we can't get to everything?", "Do you want me to provide feedback on other issues as I notice them, or would you rather focus on those things that concern you right now?", and "Is there anything else you want me to know before we start?")
How well did the reading strategy work for this particular paper? Did it set the consultant and consultee up to meet the consultee's goals for the session?
(Some things to consider: What reading strategy was used in the session (consultant reads, consultee reads, silent reading, paragraph-by-paragraph, all-the-way-through)? Did the consultant and consultee decide on it together? Did they agree on any tasks (note taking, reverse outlining, etc.) that would happen during the reading? Did the agenda or focus of work change as a result of reading the paper?)
What did the consultant do especially well in the session?
Some things you may consider: non-directive as appropriate (asks questions, allows writer to retain ownership, holds student responsible for revisions), non-evaluative (avoiding simple judgments), describes what works for them as a reader and why, tailors level of instruction to student's needs, listens attentively, suggests other things to consider (if writer desires), sensitive to writer's emotional investments, respectful tone and behavior, responsive, flexible, makes efforts to maintain ease of interaction, commends and supports writer's process, puts focus on audience, responds as an experienced reader (first-person responses), acknowledges when they don't know something, shows students how to find answers/resources, uses minimal marking for grammar and punctuation, uses reverse outlines when useful, metaconsulting, summarizes next steps with consultee).
What are some things the consultant can keep working on to improve their practice?
Again, you might consider the following: non-directive as appropriate (asks questions, allows writer to retain ownership, holds student responsible for revisions), non-evaluative (avoiding simple judgments), describes what works for them as a reader and why, tailors level of instruction to student's needs, listens attentively, suggests other things to consider (if writer desires), sensitive to writer's emotional investments, respectful tone and behavior, responsive, flexible, makes efforts to maintain ease of interaction, commends and supports writer's process, puts focus on audience, responds as an experienced reader (first-person responses), acknowledges when they don't know something, shows students how to find answers/resources, uses minimal marking for grammar and punctuation, uses reverse outlines when useful, metaconsulting, summarizes next steps with consultee).

Please review the consultation note before the consultant sends it and answer these questions.

	Yes	No	Not observed	Not applicable
Double check that consultant information, course information, and student information are correct.
Check the appropriate boxes
State what the writer came in to work on ("You came in to work on organization in your paper for RHE306.")
Provide a brief, accurate summary of what you worked on together
State the next steps the writer plans to take
Use language indicating collaboration/"we"
Use a respectful, non-evaluative tone
Proofread carefully before sending

Should be Empty:

Observation Report 2025-2026