Teaching and Scholarship Hub

What are Teaching Squares? 

Teaching Squares provide an opportunity for groups of faculty (usually 3-4) to engage in mutual, non-evaluative peer observation. Faculty participants examine their own teaching in the context of new approaches observed and reflect on how the teaching positively affects student engagement. 

Why Peer Observation? 

Peer observation of teaching is a way to learn from and with other teachers. Although traditional programs are designed to provide feedback to the instructor as a way of improving their teaching, the Teaching Squares program is purposeful in its non-evaluative nature. The goal is to observe the components of effective teaching and use these observations to reflect upon one’s own teaching. Through this process, instructors may appreciate the nuances of effective teaching and teaching environments and find ways to adapt or try new approaches to enhance their teaching.