Peer Observation Group
Learn observation skills and evidence-based teaching practices through working with a peer partner and conducting mutural observations to spark reflection and teaching improvement. Participants also with the entire group to connect with colleagues, discuss how to make observations productive and how to improve teaching.
This group meets in person on River Campus four times during the semester for 90 minutes each. In addition, peer partners visit each other’s classes once during the semester, with structured and confidential pre- and post-conversations built in as part of the process.
Eligibility
This community is open to instructors who are teaching a course at the University of Rochester in the semester they are participating in the community, are able to attend the in-person meetings on River Campus and have enough flexibility in their schedules to observe a colleague’s course and meet their partners in person for the pre- and post- observation conferences.
How to Apply
Registration has closed for the spring 2025 cohort.
Additional Logistics
Each instructor will be partnered with a colleague outside of their own department/program, with considerations as to schedule match, etc., to ensure the ability to attend each other’s course once during the semester.
Teaching Center staff maintain confidentiality for their programs and services. Communities of practice such as this establish community expectations at the outset that members will not share information outside of the program participants.
Observations done in the context of this program may not be used in formal evaluations of teaching such as tenure and promotion without the consent of both the observer and the observed. With consent, participants may use feedback provided by their peer partner for evidence of commitment to improving instructional practices.
Time Commitment
The time commitment for this cohort is 12 hours over the course of the semester and will follow the approximate meeting schedule outlined here.
The Teaching Center will determine cohort meeting times each semester based upon participants’ schedules.
Schedule
Sessions One and Two
You will meet with all participants twice for 90 minutes each prior to completing peer observations. During these sessions, you will learn evidence-based instructional practices, review a three-pronged approach to a learner-focused classroom, and practice skills for non-evaluative observations, including giving and receiving feedback through a coaching and strengths-based framework.
Peer Observation Cycle One
Peer partners will have approximately a month after the second meeting to complete one cycle of peer observation (pre-meeting, observation, and post-meeting) with their partner. In this round, partner one will be observed, and partner two will be the observer. The observer will need to set aside additional time to prepare for the post-observation meeting.
Session Three
During session three, the full community will meet to reflect and share about their experiences during the cycle one peer observation.
Peer Observation Cycle Two
Peer Partners will have approximately one month after Session Three to complete second cycle of peer observation (pre-meeting, observation, and post-meeting). In this round, partner two will be observed, and partner one will be the observer. The observer will need to set aside additional time to prepare for the post-observation meeting.
Session Four
During session four, all the full community will meet to reflect and share about their experiences during the cycle two peer observation.