Skip to main content
  • 2075 Accesses

Abstract

Although much has been written on peer review, most models fall short of a complete and practical guide for implementation. I begin by discussing some earlier proposals for implementation and highlighting how they fall short. I then suggest some goals and guiding principles for any successful model, such as the need for reflection, communication and choice on the part of the reviewee and the recognition of the cost of implementation. I then propose a model that is flexible and generic by posing six key questions: why, what, who, how, how to report; and how to follow up.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Beaty, L. (1998). The professional development of teachers in higher education: Structures, methods and responsibilities. Innovations in Education and Training International, 35, 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, M. (2002). Peer-observation of teaching in Australia. Learning and teaching support network, generic centre. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/resource_database/id28_Peer_Observation_of_Teaching_in_Australia. Accessed 19 Oct 2011.

  • Bennett, S., & Barp, D. (2008). ‘Peer observation—A case for doing it online.’ Teaching in Higher Education, 13(5), 559–570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackwell, R. (1996). Peer observation of teaching and staff development. Higher Education Quarterly, 50(2), 156–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cosh, J. (1998). ‘Peer observation in higher education—a reflective approach.’ Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 35(2), 171–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Andrea, V. M. (n.d.). Peer review of teaching in the USA. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/resource_database/id29_Peer_Review._of_Teaching_in_the_USA. Accessed 30 Aug 2012.

  • DIISRTE (2011). http://www.innovation.gov.au/HigherEducation/ResourcesAndPublications/Documents/HE2020Newsletter/NewsletterIssue12.pdf. Accessed 6 Sept 2013.

  • DIISRTE. (n.d.). http://www.innovation.gov.au/HigherEducation/Policy/Documents/My_University.pdf. Accessed 6 Sept 2013.

  • Falk, B., & Dow, K. (1971). The assessment of university teaching. London: SRHE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullerton, H. (1999). Observation of teaching. In H. Fry, S. Ketteridge, & S. Marshall (Eds.), A handbook for teaching and learning in higher education. London: Kogan Page.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosling, D. (2002). Models of peer-observation of teaching. Learning and teaching support network, generic centre. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/resource_database/id200_Models_of_Peer_Observation_of_Teaching. Accessed 30 Sept 2011.

  • Hammersley-Fletcher, L., & Orsmond, P. (2004). ‘Evaluating our peers: Is peer observation a meaningful process?’ Studies in Higher Education, 29(4), 489–503.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammersley-Fletcher, L., & Orsmond, P. (2005). Reflecting on reflective practices within peer observation. Studies in Higher Education, 30(2), 213–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, K-L., Farell, K., Bell, M., Devlin, M., & James, R., (2009). Peer review of teaching in Australian higher education: A handbook to support institutions in developing and embedding effective policies and practices. University of Melbourne, CSHE, ALTC project. http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/people/harris_docs/PeerReviewHandbook_eVersion.pdf.

  • Jarzabkowski, P., & Bone, Z. (1998). A ʻHow-Toʼ guide and checklist for peer appraisal of teaching. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 35(2), 177–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kell, C., & Annetts, S. (2009). Peer review of teaching embedded practice or policy‐holding complacency? Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 46(1), 61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knights, D., & McCabe, D. (2000). ‘Ain’t misbehavin’? Opportunities for resistance under new forms of ‘quality’ management. Sociology, 34(3), 421–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Light, G., Roy C., & Susanna C. (2009). Learning and teaching in higher education: The reflective professional (2nd ed.). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomas, L., & Nicholls, G. (2005). ‘Enhancing teaching quality through peer review of teaching.’ Quality in Higher Education, 11(2), 137–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, G., & Double, J. (1998). Developing higher education teaching skills through peer observation and collaborative reflection. Innovations in Education and Training International, 35(2), 161–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, T., Barrett, T., & OʼNeill, G. (2007). Using observation of teaching to improve quality: Finding your way through the muddle of competing conceptions, confusion of practice and mutually exclusive intentions. Teaching in Higher Education, 12(4), 499–511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, G., & Mladenovic, R. (2005). Tutors talk: Inter university perspectives on observation of teaching. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia HERDSA News, 25(3), 27–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, A., Solomindes, I., & Handal, B. (2010). How to collaborate with peer observation, Macquarie university. http://www.mq.edu.au/ltc/pdfs/FBE_peer_obs.pdf. Accessed 30 Sept 2011.

  • Shortland, S. (2004). Peer observation: A tool for staff development or compliance? Journal of Further and Higher Education, 28(2), 219–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trowler, P., & Bamber, V. (2005). Compulsory higher education teacher education: Joined-up policies; institutional architectures; enhancement cultures. International Journal for Academic Development, 10(2), 79–93. ISSN 1360–144X.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wankat, P. C., & Oreovicz, F. S. (1993). Teaching engineering. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westerheijden, D. F., Stensaker, B., & Rosa, M. J. (Eds.). (2007). Quality assurance in higher education: Trends in regulation, translation and transformation. Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Hitchens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hitchens, M. (2014). Six Questions. In: Sachs, J., Parsell, M. (eds) Peer Review of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Professional Learning and Development in Schools and Higher Education, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7639-5_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics