Introduction
What is peer observation?
Peer observation is a collegial activity in which a faculty member invites a colleague, who has some training, to sit in on one of their classes. Prior to the classroom observation, both faculty members meet to discuss the type of feedback desired. For example, a faculty member may want some feedback on their nonverbal cues during a discussion. Or, feedback on whether or not the learning goals were clearly communicated. Ideally, the faculty member requesting the feedback will select 1-3 teaching methods or other for the observer to take notice of. Following the class session, both faculty members meet to discuss the observations made by the observer.
Key steps of the process are:
- Develop goals for a peer observation.
- Select a faculty member who has peer observation training.
- Review logistics (e.g. time the class meets, location, etc.).
- Plan the feedback discussion meeting.
- Meet to identify specific teaching skills and/or behaviors that you would like the observer to focus on.
- Class observation happens.
- Feedback conversation occurs.
What Peer Observation is not:
Peer observation is not a substitute for student evaluations of teaching. Collecting feedback from students enrolled in a course is essential. Student feedback provides information that can be used to facilitate course evolution as students evolve over time. It may be helpful to collect such feedback more than once per semester.
Peer observation is not a substitute for administrative evaluations of teaching. A request to be observed by a trained colleague is one way that a faculty member can formally request feedback on a particular aspect or two of their teaching. This could be (but is definitely not required) a first step taken prior to inviting the Associate Dean to observe your teaching.
Peer observation notes are personal and need not be shared with anyone else. This is a formative process designed to help the faculty member requesting an observation. The option of submitting feedback as part of the T & P process is a choice for the requesting faculty member to make.
Peer observation form.
The peer observation form template is included below. This form is from the Peer Observation of Teaching Handbook, by Lori R. Newman, MEd, David H. Roberts, MD and Richard M. Schwartzstein, MD of the Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This handbook can be downloaded from MedEd PORTAL.
Requesting a Peer Observer:
Complete the form below to request a Peer Observer. If possible, a peer observer who is an expert outside of your content area will be selected for your approval.
Peer Observation Request Form click here
Becoming A Peer Observer
Faculty: If you are interested in becoming a Peer Observer, click here to fill out the form. Interested faculty will receive formal training in peer observation. Once training is completed, faculty members will be available, upon request, to serve as a peer observer in another faculty member’s classroom.
