The CFD is a safe, confidential, supportive space for formative feedback on teaching. Faculty may consult with the CFD about classroom practice, course design, syllabi, assignments, learning goals, student participation, class activities, new pedagogies, course reorganization, or teaching technologies.
The CFD does not conduct departmental peer observations or provide observation letters for tenure, promotion, merit, hiring, or other summative processes. Faculty planning departmental classroom visits should coordinate with their department chair. The CFD can help faculty think through goals, process, protocols, and questions before those visits.
Formative Teaching Feedback with the CFD
Faculty may request or discuss formative feedback focused on teaching questions they identify.
- CFD Consultations - Talk with the CFD about formative, nonjudgmental teaching feedback.
- ITS Instructional Technology - For help with classroom technology, Brightspace, Zoom, or instructional tools.
Planning Departmental Peer Observations
These LMU peer-observation resources were developed as part of an earlier teaching-evaluation toolkit. They are under revision by the LMU Committee on Excellence in Teaching during AY 2026-2027. Until revised materials are available, departments may still find them useful as starting points, in coordination with department chairs.
- Evaluation of Teaching and the Role of Peer Observation - Overview of peer observation as one part of a broader teaching-evaluation process.
- Using Peer Observation - Distinguishes formative and summative uses of peer observation.
- Key Steps in the Process for Peer Observation - Guidance for planning, pre-observation meetings, classroom visits, post-observation meetings, and letters.
- Peer Observation Form - Observation form with criteria and space for comments.
- Additional Criteria Peer Observation Form - Supplemental criteria for peer observation.
- Peer Observation Materials - Combined toolkit materials on teaching evaluation and peer observation.
Current Observation Guides and Tools
Use these resources when designing or revising a departmental observation process, selecting a form, or planning pre- and post-observation conversations.
- Santa Clara University: Teaching Observation - Jesuit-school teaching-observation guide with resources for purpose and types of observation, pre-observation planning, descriptive observation notes, post-observation conversations, evaluation protocols, and peer-observation protocols.
- Duke Center for Teaching and Learning: Best Practices for Teaching Observations - Guidance on distinguishing formative and summative observation, selecting protocols, training observers, and planning the observation process.
- Grinnell College: Peer Observation Combined Resources 2025 - Recent toolkit with pre-observation questions, note-taking guidance, and post-observation conversation prompts.
Teaching Feedback and Mission-Aligned Reflection
These resources can supplement classroom observation by helping faculty gather feedback, reflect on teaching choices, and connect feedback practices to Jesuit educational values.
- Georgetown CNDLS: Gathering Teaching Feedback - Jesuit-school resource on collecting feedback from multiple sources, including peer evaluation and student feedback.
- Boston College CTE: Mid-Semester Feedback Options and Sample Forms - Jesuit-school resource with practical methods and sample questions for gathering formative student feedback during the semester.
- Xavier University Jesuit Resource: Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm - Mission-oriented framing for teaching reflection through context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation.
Additional Sources and Readings
These sources provide broader context for departments revising peer-observation practices or considering how observation can support teaching development.
- Faculty Focus: Beyond Evaluation: Using Peer Observation to Strengthen Teaching Practices - Current practical article on making peer observation developmental, collaborative, and reflective. A free account may be required.
- Oregon State CTL: Peer Observation of Teaching - Overview of evaluation, developmental, collaborative, and hybrid peer-observation models, with implementation considerations.
- University of Toronto: Peer Observation of Teaching Guide - Comprehensive guide with models, sample questions, planning tools, and post-observation prompts.
- Peer Observation of Teaching as a Faculty Development Tool - Open-access study of peer observation as a constructive, developmental process for improving teaching.