Peer Observation Form

Benefits of Peer Observation

Reinvigorates teachers and raises "best-practices" awareness within a

department or school

Outweighs any professional development in a sit-and-get workshop,

conference, or seminar as it is embedded in teaching practice
Peer perspectivesdriven by similar ideals and shared vocational support
Is key to supporting a new vision for professional development

Making the Best of Peer Observation

Teacher observation is most successful when the teacher and observer work
together and reflect on the teaching behavior. Teacher observation is least
successful when the observer spends hours watching without analysis or
dialogue with the teacher. Dr. Sally Blake, professor of teacher education at the
University of Texas at El Paso, suggested the following sequence of events for
effective teachers-observing-teachers programs:
Overview. A simple overview of the program with a focus on what the main
point of observation
will be.
Observation. A short observation sequence.
Discussion. Immediate discussion concerning the observation.
Reflection. Reflection concerning how information from the sequence may be
used by the observer.

Remember: 1) Notify the teacher you are visiting at least 24 hours

prior to your visit.
2) Your observation should last 45 minutes.
Peers Name:
Observers Name: ______________________
____________________________
Date of Visit:

/ 20
Subject: ________________________________

Period: ________
Lesson: _________________________________
Duration: ________ min.

A. What are the students doing? (E for Evident /NE for Not
Evident)

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Receiving New Information:

Participating in collaborative activities:
...

Applying Skills: .

Using resources other than textbook

Using technology: ..

: .

Practicing new skills:

Analyzing or synthesizing information:

B. As you observe, what do the students demonstrate?

(HE: Highly Evident,
E: Evident,
NE: Not Evident)
Interest in subject: ---------

Critical thinking skills: ---------

Time management skills: ---------

Self-discipline: ---------

Ability to follow directions: ---------

Respect for others: ---------

Participation from students: ---------

Interacting with teacher:

C. How is the teacher interacting with the students?

(E for Evident /NE for Not Evident)
Individuals: .

Whole class:

Demonstrating: .

Groups:

Answering questions: .

Lecturing: ...

Leading discussion:

Continuous Assessment:

D. Rank your top three choices of activities observed:

Individual work
Group work
Hands-on learning project
Open-ended problem solving
Worksheets

group presentation
independent
presentation
Small group discussion
Self-assessment
independent research
project

group research project

whole class discussion
peer assessment
silent reading

E. As an observer, what did you gain from this visit?

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___________________________________________________________________________________
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F.

Could you have done something differently so more

learning would take place? Explain.

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
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Visitors Signature/Date: ____________________________

Peers Signature/Date: _____________________________
Coordinators Signature/Date: _______________________

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