April 13, 2023

Peer Observation of Teaching

Dr. Chris WakemanStaffordshire University

Centre for Professional Development

April 13, 2023

Aims for Today……. To explore possible models and

accepted procedure(s) for the peer observation of teaching.

To raise awareness of the accepted observation criteria.

To discuss the most appropriate ways to give feedback to colleagues.

April 13, 2023

Activity………………

Consider the benefits of staff observing each others teaching. Note down what you consider to be the three most important benefits and three most obvious drawbacks

April 13, 2023

What is POOT….?

POOT – ‘Peer observation of teaching’: the formal medium by which the principles of good teaching & learning practice are identified, disseminated & developed at Staffordshire University.

April 13, 2023

Objectives and Benefits Relating to Peer Observation……

Maintain & improve teaching quality

Disseminate best practice across schools and faculties

Support continuing professional development

Provide opportunities for reflective practice

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Observation Partnerships…….

Free choice of reciprocal observation colleagues

Relationships around existing team teaching arrangements

Allocated observation partnerships

Mentors to observe mentees

Designated observers within faculty

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A University Approach……..

The Director of School (DoS) appoints a

scheme co-ordinator

Scheme co-ordinator

identifies POOT ‘trios’ (Bi-annual)

Staffordshire University POOT

Policy (2002)

Scheme co-ordinator nominates a trio

co-ordinator. Trio meets to agree focus for POOT

Trio co-ordinator ensures smooth

running and completes

appropriate form

University Forms Developmental and Confidential

Scheme Co-ordinator compiles

anonymous summary report

for DoS

April 13, 2023

Phase 1 – The Pre-observation discussion

Explain the observers role and responsibilities. Explain the faculty policy and related issues. Agree a date, time and location. Explain confidentiality issues and discuss

documentation. Discuss the format of the session that you have

agreed to observe. Identify any particular strategies or techniques on

which the observee would like feedback. Clarify what students will be told regarding the

observation session.

April 13, 2023

Phase 2 – The Observation….

Arrive in good time Decide where to sit Ensure students are

informed at the outset Observe (don’t join in) Record staff & student

non-verbal communication

Ensure balance between positive & negative observations

April 13, 2023

Phase 3 – Post Observation (1)….

Wherever possible, provide a verbal feedback debrief directly after the session

Ask the observee how they felt the session went

Give verbal feedback on the main points (positive & negative)

Agree format for formal feedback (i.e. written, audio etc.)

April 13, 2023

Phase 3 – Post Observation (2)….

Prepare formal feedback within 2 weeks of the observation activity (audio or written)

Where applicable, give feedback in private

Ensure feedback is developmental

Avoid information overload Identify & elaborate on

strengths & weaknesses Ensure you are unambiguous

about areas for development Ask observee to consider

action plan with timescales

April 13, 2023

Summary of Suggested POOT Process……

At the start of each semester: Programme area POOT co-ordinator produces ‘trio’ lists &

identifies ‘trio’ group co-ordinators Each ‘trio’ group co-ordinator convenes a ‘trio’ meeting and

produces a schedule of observations to take place that semester

During each semester: Observer & observee undertake scheduled observation.

Observation form is completed by the observer but not given to the observee directly after the observation

Observation form is formalised after the observation and sent to the observee prior to the formal feedback session

April 13, 2023

Summary of POOT Process (cont.)…

At the end of each semester: POOT group co-ordinators compile summary

report and return it to the POOT area co-ordinator. POOT area co-ordinator produces evaluation

report for the area & sends to faculty co-ordinator. Faculty co-ordinator for POOT produces an end of

semester faculty report. POOT report considered by the Faculty Quality

Development Team. Faculty approved report forwarded to University

Quality and Standards

April 13, 2023

The End