Peer Evaluation of Teaching
Peer Evaluation of Teaching gives instructors an opportunity to receive feedback on their teaching practices. Much like peer review in research, this process strengthens instruction by inviting colleagues to share insights and suggest ways to improve.
Evaluators typically focus on one or two key principles of a course, helping instructors refine specific elements of their teaching.
Each guide focuses on one principle of teaching, and instructors should select up to two principles for the evaluation.
ETE’s instructions and guides for peer evaluation can be accessed through Box.
Why participate?
The Peer Evaluation Process
Pre-Observation Meeting
Discuss your goals, the teaching principle(s) for feedback, learning outcomes, and any relevant course information. If your course is online, arrange necessary permissions (e.g., Canvas access). Talk about the one or two principles of your teaching you want the evaluator to focus on.
Teaching Your Class
The evaluator observes without interrupting or participating, focusing on the one or two principles of your teaching you’d like to improve. If your course is online, the evaluator will examine specific modules, assignments, etc. that you ask them to.
Post-Observation Meeting
Discuss what was observed, clarify any questions, and evaluate the teaching principle(s) together. This meeting can be customized to meet any departmental requirements.
The Seven Principles to Evaluate
ETE suggests that peer evaluations of teaching focus on one or two of the following principles of teaching:
Serving as a Peer Evaluator
ETE relies on instructors who are willing to serve as peer evaluators of teaching.
In this role, you’ll offer insights on one or two principles of a colleague’s teaching, build professional connections, and learn from the classroom observations you make.
Serving as a peer evaluator earns a Contribute Badge in the ETE Professional Development Pathways program.
If you’d like to serve, sign up below.