Peer Review of Teaching

Peer review of teaching is a key strategy for robust assessment of teaching and learning at the University of Minnesota. Peer review of teaching is a requirement for all instructors as outlined in the Evaluation of Teaching policy.

With guidelines or rubrics to define quality teaching, peer review of teaching can focus on providing appropriate evidence for each of the elements included. This may include review of a teaching portfolio that includes some or all the materials below.

• Course syllabus
• Sample course materials
• Examples of student work
• Instructor self-reflection document
• Interview/dialogue with the instructor
• Class observations
• Student letters and comments

Forms of Peer Review of Teaching

To support effective documentation of peer review of teaching, we suggest units begin by defining what effective teaching looks like for your discipline. These two examples of quality teaching rubrics may help guide this discussion in your department: the Teaching Quality Framework which was created at the University of Colorado and the Benchmarks for Teaching Effectiveness which was created at the University of Kansas. Either of these rubrics can be modified to fit the unique teaching needs of your unit.

Below are sample forms for reviewers created around the example teaching quality rubrics referenced above. These forms can be modified to better align with the definitions of quality teaching identified by your unit. Instructions for their use are found on the forms.

Sample peer review forms to support the CU Teaching Quality Framework

• Class observation reviewer form based on CU Teaching Quality Framework
• Course materials reviewer form based on CU Teaching Quality Framework
• Self-reflection materials reviewer form based on CU Teaching Quality Framework

• Class observation reviewer form based on KU Benchmarks for Teaching Effectiveness
• Course materials reviewer form based on KU Benchmarks for Teaching Effectiveness
• Self-reflection materials reviewer form based on KU Benchmarks for Teaching Effectiveness

Additional Sample Peer Review Forms

Below are additional instruments to consider using. These forms can be modified to align with the definitions of quality teaching identified by your unit.

• Lecture Based Courses Form 1
• Lecture Based Courses Form 2
• Non-Lecture Courses
• Online Courses Form 1
• Online Courses Form 2
• Syllabus Review Form 1
• Syllabus Review Form 2

What if my unit does not yet have official policies or guidelines for peer review of teaching?

Even if your unit is still in the process of creating official policies and guidelines for peer review, it is important to document your teaching. A teaching portfolio is recommended to catalog and track all aspects of teaching evaluation including evaluation by peers, students, and yourself. Consider using Works to construct your teaching portfolio. For more information on how to do this see: Works Teaching and Advising Portfolio Builder.

For more information on ways to gather feedback on teaching see: Gathering Feedback and Documenting Professional Growth in Teaching from the Center for Educational Innovation.

Presentations on Peer Review of Teaching by the Center for Educational Innovation

• Effective Peer Review and Observation: The Basics. View a recorded webinar offered by the Center for Educational Innovation.
• Evaluating Teaching: Establishing a System of Peer Review. View a recording of the Talking Heads session.
• Access the peer review workbook that accompanied the Talking Heads session.