7 How Should Chairs/Directors Use this Guide?

Chairs and Directors play a central role in supporting both summative and formative peer observations of teaching within their departments, units, and Faculties (Chism, 2007; Bell & Cooper, 2013; Gosling, 2014; Bell & Thomson, 2018).

Chairs and Directors may use this guide to:

• Share it with faculty to encourage and embed formative peer observations of teaching, either in preparation for summative evaluations, and/or to support continuous professional development in teaching within their department or unit
• Support the inclusion of formative peer observations of teaching within or alongside summative evaluations (i.e. Record of Activities, Departmental Teaching Evaluation Reports, and/or teaching portfolios for appointment, promotion, tenure, and/or permeance)
• Welcome instructors to speak with them about peer observations of teaching and assist with pairing instructors for individual or reciprocal observations, when requested

If you are considering the development of a peer observation of teaching program more widely within your department or unit, please feel welcome to seek additional consultation and support at the MacPherson Institute. Contact and book a consultation with your Faculty Liaison Contact, or submit a request using the MacPherson Institute Request for Support form.