Peer Feedback Tool for Lectures & Small-Group Teaching

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a teaching assessment tool designed to provide faculty members with information about the quality of their teaching based on peer observation. The feedback form can help observers provide feedback to the instructor about five specific domains of teaching: establishing a learning environment, managing the session, presenting the material, conveying content, and implementing strategies to promote learning. The teaching behaviors listed on the form are based on the literature, but they are not exhaustive, nor are all behaviors appropriate for every teaching session. Checkboxes are provided so observers can easily indicate the teaching behaviors they wish to comment on, that is, behaviors they did or did not observe. More importantly, ample space is provided for written, descriptive comments based on observations. Although the form was developed primarily for formative feedback in order to improve faculty teaching performance, an optional overall rating of effective teaching skills is provided, which may be used for summative evaluations and/or to document improved performance over time. In addition to the feedback form itself, this resource includes recommended guidelines for the implementation of a peer feedback process (meeting prior to observation, observation, and feedback), detailed descriptions of the teaching behaviors, and references to background material. Based on discussions among the authors and with other users of the tool at national and regional meeting workshops, the resource truly helps faculty members at medical schools measure and recognize a faculty member's educational activities and may add to the faculty member's portfolio of overall teaching contributions.

Keywords

• Peer Review
• Peer Evaluations