Peer Observations

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Peer Observations

• Professor Croxford
• Mr Kevin Millam

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Purposes

• To explain the reasons for teaching observations
  and peer review of teaching
• To share good practice in their implementation
• Initial application to all new staff, then extend
  later

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Why teaching observations?

• Quality Assurance and probation requirement
• Quality Enhancement
• Capture and share good practice

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How teaching observations?

• Procedures
• Paperwork
• Practices observation and feedback

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Procedures

• Peer Observation of Teaching Guidelines
• Faculties have some freedom, subject to review by
  Teaching and Learning Resources Committee
• Observers appropriate and trained
• Observation agreed, at least 45 minutes
• Pre-meeting and paperwork
• Observation
• Feedback meeting afterwards

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Pre-meeting The purposes

• See section 2.2
• Where, when, how long etc
• Explaining it to the students
• Purposes of the teaching session and criteria
• Any particular issues
• Paperwork more later
• Feedback arrangements
• Looking for good practice
• Reporting mechanisms

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Pre-meeting Paperwork

• See section 3.1 - Form 1
• The observee must provide the observer with
• The module specification
• The weekly plan
• The session plan - Form 1
• Copies of any handouts to be used or references
  to eLearning

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Pre-meeting The paperwork

• See section 3.2 - Form 2
• Observee must have
• A copy of observation form - Form 2

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Observation

• See section 2.3
• Fade into the background
• Look for evidence
• Observe student responses
• Appreciative inquiry look for strengths
• Take notes unobtrusively
• Recognise that what works for you doesnt
  necessarily work for someone else.
• Objective Knowledge Inexperience

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Post-meeting The paperwork

• See sections 2.4 and 3.2 - Form 2
• Observer writes report Form 2
• Member of Staff comments and signs
• Shared with HoD and Dean

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Feedback meeting - Purposes

• Can be really helpful
• if handled well
• Can be really dreadful
• if handled badly
• The Johari Window is a useful concept.

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Johari window
Feedback ?
Known to self
Yes
No
Yes
Disclosure ?
Known to others
No
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Feedback agenda

• At least 45 minutes
• Evidence-based
• Overall comment from Member of Staff items
• Overall comment by Observer
• Identification of strengths
• Discussion of strengths
• Identification of possible areas for improvement

• Discussion of possible improvements
• Discussion of other items
• Agreement on how to do anything differently
• How to share good practice
• Overview of report
• Reminder of actions.

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Giving feedback

• No interruptions
• Build rapport
• Encourage self-analysis
• Draw upon evidence
• Promote discussion
• Be honest
• Put yourself in their shoes

• Own your feedback
• Describe behaviour
• Use I statements
• Look forwards
• Good and bad
• Feedback sandwich
• If good share
• If bad plan

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Receiving feedback

• Be open
• Listen carefully
• Avoid filtering
• Ask questions
• Be prepared to contribute
• Be proud of your achievements
• If you can improve then decide to take action

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Follow-up

• A successful review, or one with limited
  feedback, requires no follow up review apart
  from reflection and enhancement Form 3
• Reciprocal reviewing will be encouraged as a
  confidence-building measure
• In the event of serious quality concerns there
  would be a further observation by another
  reviewer, but here too the focus would be on
  development
• Observation evidence will be shared with the head
  of department and dean

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Discussion