STLHE 2015

Fueled by global concerns about the quality of student learning experiences and the effectiveness of university teaching, there has been increasing attention to the evaluation of teaching in a broad array of institutional and disciplinary contexts in higher education (Arreola, 2007; Harris et al., 2008). The University of British Columbia has long recognized the importance of attending to the evaluation of teaching practices. However, the enactment of a campus-based approach and localized scholarship directed at these practices remains very much in its infancy. In 2008, a working group was tasked with developing principles and procedures for the formal summative evaluation of teaching, to inform decision making regarding re-appointment, promotion and tenure at University of British Columbia. During 2010-2011, the working group initiated a program to train nominated representatives from each Faculty in the principles and practice of the summative peer review of teaching (SPRT) process. Those faculty members have been actively involved as leaders of the SPRT Initiative and have helped design and implement customized Peer Review of Teaching (PRT) processes within the 12 Faculties at University of British Columbia. In the fall of 2013, CTLT designed a survey to evaluate the implemented PRT programs at University of British Columbia. The survey was distributed through SPRT Faculty representatives and was open between the dates of February 11 and March 4, 2014. 100 responses were received in total from 8 Faculties. In this session we share an overview of the PRT Initiative at University of British Columbia, and the qualitative and quantitative results from the survey, from the viewpoint of reviewers and reviewees.

• Arreola, R. A. (2007). Developing a comprehensive faculty evaluation system: A guide to designing, building, and operating large-scale faculty evaluation systems (3rd ed.). Bolton, MA: Anker.

• Harris, K-L., Farrell, K., Bell, M., Devlin, M., & James, R. (2008). Peer review of teaching in Australian higher education: A handbook to support institutions in developing effective policies and practices. Australian Learning and Teaching Council Publication.