Faculty Peer Observation

Getting Feedback

Teaching observations can help instructors understand how students may experience their teaching, encourage and support tenure-track faculty in their growth as instructors, and foster conversations about teaching within departments.

The Bok Center supports faculty peer observation by supplying resources for senior faculty conducting peer observations: Canvas Teaching Resources for FAS Faculty.

Faculty peer observations typically consists of 3 parts:

  1. Before the observation: If you are a senior faculty member who will be observing your tenure-track colleague, check in prior to the observation to confirm the details and discuss what to expect during the class session to be observed. Observers should understand what will be happening in the classroom on the day of the observation. What has been happening to this point in the semester? What is your colleague hoping to achieve during this particular class period? Are there dynamics in their classroom to which they would like you to pay special attention? 
  2. During the observation: Peer observations should take place in person. Observers are encouraged to make notes using the observation report form. During the observation, reflect on areas for improvement, with the goal of sending the instructor back into the classroom with one or two things to work on. Observers can also help the instructor see what’s wonderful about their teaching. This has a twofold purpose: to give them confidence and to be able to name what they are doing well so they can make a conscious choice to do it.
  3. After the observation: Observers should meet with the tenure-track faculty member to debrief on the class and discuss feedback before submitting feedback in writing. Detailed information about the role of teaching observations in the review process is available in the FAS Appointment and Promotion Handbook.

After a peer observation, tenure-track faculty are invited to meet with Bok staff to review feedback from their colleague and discuss their plans to continue developing as teachers: bokcenter@fas.harvard.edu.