12 Key Components

Formative peer observations of teaching commonly include a 3-step cycle:

• Step 1: Pre-Observation Meeting
• Step 2: Teaching Observation
• Step 3: Post-Observation Debrief

In what follows, this guide will outline the purpose and activities within each step of the peer observation of teaching cycle, along with optional activities that can be built in to enhance an observation.

Resources, checklists, and forms for each step are included in the appendices of this guide for instructors and observers to download, adapt, and use within their contexts.

A frequently asked question (FAQ) section is also included to answer common queries in Appendix A.

In total, the process of a peer observation of teaching generally takes between 2-3 hours to complete. For additional modifications to streamline the process, please see the FAQ section.

Fig. 2. Peer Observation of Teaching Cycle