Collaborative Peer Review of Teaching

What is collaborative peer review of teaching?

Collaborative peer review of teaching involves entering into a voluntary, confidential and reciprocal relationship with a trusted colleague to observe/consider an aspect of each other’s learning and teaching activities, and offer constructive feedback within agreed parameters. It is primarily formative and developmental and not intended for a performance review. The process of a collaborative peer review and the formative feedback gained develops insights into teaching and drives quality enhancement of teaching.

How can I use collaborative peer review?

  • To further improve learning and teaching. When used for this purpose, the review relates to seeking feedback and constructive input from peers that will support the development of teaching and/or improvement of teaching materials.
  • As evidence. For example, peer review might be one source of evidence to support claims and arguments made by an applicant in addressing promotion/award criteria.
  • Increase awareness of what your colleagues do in teaching.
  • To develop collaborative relationships.

What can be peer reviewed?

Teaching:

  • Face-to-face teaching
  • Online/blended teaching

Out-of-classroom aspects of teaching:

  • Course documents - outlines, materials, resources
  • Assessment schemes
  • Postgraduate supervision
  • Management of teaching teams/tutors

Note: It is advisable to have at least 2 cycles of peer review to:

a) provide opportunity to trial any changes put in place following the first review

b) provide the reviewer with a more reperesentative view of the revieee's teaching.

 

A proposed cycle

 

Guiding principles

Effective collaborative peer mentoring of teaching assumes a culture where teaching colleagues actively seek feedback. It is essential that the person being observed has control over what happens to the information generated by the reviews and subsequent discussions.

The person being observed decides:

  • What the review/feedback is about
  • When/where the review will take place
  • How the feedback will be used.

Supporting materials