13 Step 1: Pre-Observation Meeting

Pre-Observation Meeting (approximately 30-60 minutes)

The observer will meet with the instructor to discuss their overall goals for the observation prior to the class visit. During the pre-observation meeting, the instructor should provide a summary of their teaching context, including their teaching goals, course intended learning outcomes, and what they hope to gain by engaging in the peer observation of teaching process. The course syllabus may be helpful to launch this discussion. Ideally, the pre-observation meeting occurs within a week of the teaching observation.

Once a teaching observation has been confirmed, it is recommended that the instructor complete Appendix B: Pre-Observation Meeting Form and share it, accompanied by any other relevant course documents, with their observer ahead of and/or during the pre-observation meeting. This can be done asynchronously over email and/or in-person.

During the pre-observation meeting, the instructor and observer should review and discuss Appendix B: Pre-Observation Meeting Form. The instructor and observer should also review the logistics for the teaching observation itself, including a review of the available feedback forms, Appendix C: Teaching Observation Feedback Form (Structured), Appendix D: Teaching Observation Feedback Form (Grid), Appendix E: Teaching Observation Feedback Form (Narrative), selecting or modifying one as needed during the pre-observation meeting.