Peer Observation of Teaching

Peer Observation of Teaching (PoT) allows colleagues to collaborate in a formative professional development process to balance, complement, or replace the summative Student Evaluations of Teaching (SET). In addition, PoT trains instructors on how to engage in meaningful classroom observations of each other, since many faculty have not received formal training on how to conduct or document these observations in a useful way. The PoT process can include: faculty requesting a peer observation, pre-meeting with the observer, in-class observation of specific items requested by the instructor, observer summary notes, post-observation meeting, and submission of observation letter. The goals are self-reflection on teaching, evidence of teaching effectiveness, constructive feedback on growth areas, improving student learning, and increasing colleague dialogue about teaching.

Download the PDF "Creating effective peer observation faculty training through a community of practice" by Becky Tugman, Lauren E. Stephens, Taimi Olsen, and Alfred E. Bundrick