University Teaching Development Centre (UTDC)

While peer review of research has traditionally been part of academic culture as a way of ensuring discussion and critique of scholarly ideas, the other key role of academics - teaching - has, until recently, remained a private one. Recent changes in the way education and the role of the academic are viewed have meant that the quality of teaching in the University is now coming under closer scrutiny. There is, for example significant pressure from government, universities and students to improve the quality of teaching and the accountability of academics. Research into learning and teaching also indicates that a change is needed from an information transmission approach to one focused on enhancing the quality of student learning.

Peer review of teaching (as well as research) is being used in some universities as a way of increasing this accountability and/or improving teaching. Peer review can be used to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of teaching by examining aspects not covered by student evaluations, including paper design, assessment tasks, classroom practice, and student learning. It is also particularly useful when used formatively to create a culture of collaboration and collegiality between colleagues. Depending on individual circumstances, peers can be located within or outside a School/Department.

The UTDC has prepared "Peer Review of Teaching: A discussion paper" summarising literature findings and guidelines for peer review at VUW. This provides an additional source of information for the improvement of teaching and is available on request. Guidelines to assist peer observation of teaching are also available from the UTDC. In addition, the UTDC will provide Departmental/School support on peer review if required.