When I was going through the tenure process, I was evaluated 10 times during a quarter, by four instructors and one student (twice each). They'd always inform me when I was going to be observed. But when you have a sample with that many number of observations, I think overall, on average, one's base teaching skills should be flushed out - whether or not one is adequately "prepared" or not. After the tenure process its just once a year (although that is in process of being two times).
When I was a part-time faculty at various institutions (doing the freeway flier thing), different colleges had different requirements for observations - but they were mostly similar - what was the subject I was teaching, how did I plan to conduct my lesson, were there any group activities / presentations / technology demonstrations, etc., was supposed to be let known to my advisor prior to (s)he coming to observe me. Very rarely has any one come to class unannounced to observe (which would be fine with me) - it's just a standard I've seen being maintained - at least the places I have taught in Southern California and Washington.
Shafin H. Ali, PhD
Spokane Falls Community College
Whitworth College
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