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Instructional Services >> Resources for Librarians and Library Instructors >> Peer Review at KU Libraries

Peer Review at KU Libraries

(Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document)Guidelines for Assessment of Instruction
(Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document)Procedure for Class Observation by Another KU Libraries Staff Member
(Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document)Classroom Observation Worksheet
(Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document)Peer Review of Instruction -- Report of the Task Force
(Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document)Fall Semester 2005 -- Peer Review Report
(Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document)Instruction Evaluation Plan
(Microsoft Word document)Student Library Instruction Evaluation Form
   

Instructional Services implemented a "peer review of teaching" program in July 2005 following the recommendations of the Peer Review of Teaching Task Force (Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document). Peer review is one of several options (Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document) by which library instructors can document teaching effectiveness either for the purpose of professional development or for the purpose of professional evaluation.

What is Peer Review at KU Libraries?

KU Libraries defines peer review as "an assessment of an instructor's effectiveness by another library staff member who is also involved in providing library instruction" (Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) document). Because the instructional services program at the KU Libraries encompasses traditional library instruction at the undergraduate level, advanced library instruction at the graduate level (including instruction in one or more languages other than English), information technology training, and faculty development efforts in areas such as scholarly communication, a peer reviewer from outside the Libraries may be selected on a case-by-case basis where there is evidence of a need for specialized knowledge not available within the library staff community.

This process may include one or more of the following approaches to peer review of teaching:

  • peer observation
  • peer coaching
  • team teaching
  • peer evaluation

As one approach to supporting instructional improvement among library instructors, the peer review of teaching program will be:

  • voluntary and aimed at those wishing to improve their skills as teachers
  • flexible, in order to accommodate a variety of circumstances
  • committed to communication between participants so that both the reviewer and the instructor being reviewed have a common understanding of the process
  • confidential to the reviewer, the instructor being reviewed and the Head of Instructional Services
  • an integral part of a broader commitment within the KU Libraries to instructional improvement, which also includes the opportunity to participate in workshops on teaching and library instruction

Participation in the Peer Review of Teaching program will:

  • allow us to gather a greater variety of data on instructional services provided through the KU Libraries
  • support examination of the instructional role of information professionals on campus through observation and discussion of shared experiences
  • promote the employment of innovative instructional methods and technologies
  • foster a commitment to reflective instructional practice and professional development as teachers among library staff