Peer Observation Protocol Development (POPD)
For departments, units, and programs seeking to develop a peer teaching observation protocol for instructors, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence has prepared a year-long program to provide resources, to initiate important conversations, and to provide ongoing feedback and support.
We invite small workgroups (between 3-5 participants) to join us in 2024-2025 to develop a pilot peer observation protocol for their unit.
Program Goals Heading link
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- To foster conversations about best teaching practices
- To facilitate evidence-based practices for peer observation
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- To encourage faculty in critical reflection about teaching
Program Description Heading link
In fall semester, workgroups will be provided with resources and guided through a series of asynchronous modules, each of which will facilitate workgroup and/or departmental/college conversations about the goals of peer observations, various models for implementation, teaching standards, and identifying support measures/resources. Resources and modules will be available on Blackboard.
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The following questions will guide workgroups participating in the online modules:
- What is our local context?
- What outcomes are we hoping for?
- What does teaching excellence look like in our context?
- What peer observation models are right for us?
- What are peer observation best practices?
- What support do we need for observers and observees?
- How will we know the pilot has been successful?
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CATE team members will be available throughout the process for consultations, as desired. A half-day workshop in December will allow workgroups to finalize spring pilot plans, work collaboratively to identify opportunities to ensure equity in processes, and learn from other workgroups developing pilot plans.
- Pilot observations will be implemented in Spring 2025.
- A showcase in late spring will celebrate successes and identify challenges and resources needed moving forward.
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Who should be included in a workgroup?
Department/college/unit leaders with responsibilities for supporting excellent teaching are good choices to lead the workgroups. In addition, instructors with roles in the observations (either as observers or observees) can provide important stakeholder feedback. The enrollment form should be completed by the workgroup leader, but additional workgroup members will be identified.
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CATE Support
In addition to providing resources, CATE will provide modules that will guide workgroups through peer observation protocol development. At each stage of development, workgroups will have the opportunity to provide updates to CATE and receive feedback on plans.
TIMELINE Heading link
Timeline
- Friday, August 30, 2024: Deadline to enroll
- September 13, 2024: Blackboard course opens for workgroups
- December 2024: Half day meeting for all workgroups to finalize pilot plans
- Spring 2025: Pilot implementation and assessment
- April 2025: Peer Observation Showcase
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Workgroup leaders should enroll by Friday, August 30, 2024. Those enrolled will be contacted with instructions on accessing the Blackboard course.