Three Colleges/Departments Complete CATE’s Peer Observation Protocol Development (POPD) Program
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CATE is pleased to recognize three colleges/departments that have completed the Peer Observation Protocol Development (POPD) Program:
- College of Dentistry
- Richard J. Daley Library
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition
These departments and units join a growing community of faculty and academic leaders who have invested in creating peer observation processes that reflect their college/department teaching contexts, values, and goals.Their commitment to thoughtful, collaborative improvement of teaching strengthens not only their own units, but our broader teaching community at UIC.
Peer observations are designed to support instructor growth through collegial conversation and reflection. But effective peer observation doesn’t happen by accident. Departments often struggle with questions such as: What should we observe? How should feedback be shared? How can we build trust in the process? And how do we create an approach that faculty will actually use?
The POPD Program helps departments answer these questions together.
Over the course of a year, small college/departmental workgroups collaborate to design a peer observation protocol tailored to their local context. With guidance and resources from CATE, participants review research-informed practices, develop observation and feedback materials, pilot their process, and refine it based on experience. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all model, each workgroup creates a protocol that reflects its disciplinary culture, instructional practices, and college/departmental goals.
Interested in creating or revising a peer observation process in your department?
Register for the Zoom information session on Tuesday, September 15, from 2:00–3:00 p.m.
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During the session, you’ll learn more about the POPD Program and hear directly from workgroups that have completed their protocols.
Applications for the 2026–2027 POPD cohort are due Friday, September 18. We welcome departments, colleges, programs, and other academic units interested in developing a sustainable, faculty-driven approach to peer observation.