Fearless Teaching in the UMD Libraries

Post-Observation Meeting

The post-observation meeting is your opportunity to discuss with your peer teaching observation partner how the session went. This is the chance to talk about what the observer noticed during the session, and to visit the learning outcomes and notes from the pre-observation meeting/form.

When completing a post-observation meeting, it is important to approach the meeting from a place of empathy, respect, and collaboration. Teaching is a vulnerable act and is built out of our own experiences and expertise in the classroom.

Best Practices for Post-Observation Meetings

1. If possible, we strongly encourage the post-observation meeting to take place in a neutral location. This might be taking a walk, grabbing ice cream or a coffee, etc. Removing the meeting from a formal location, such as an office, if possible, allows for a more relaxed, informal conversation.
2. The goal of the post-observation meeting is to provide your partner with helpful, actionable feedback from a peer perspective. Remember, you are not grading your partner; the two of you are working together to identify what went well in the session and what are areas for growth. 
3. Always return to the pre-observation form or your notes from your pre-observation meeting. Let that initial conversation about teaching and what the observee is looking for in the observation guide your discussion.
4. Begin by asking the observee how they felt about the class session. Possible discussion questions include:
   1. How do you feel the session went? Did the session meet your expectations and student learning outcomes?
   2. What part of the session were you most proud of?
   3. What part of the session would you like to update in the future?
5. Once the observee has shared their thoughts on the session, the observer should begin by sharing what they liked and found positive about the session. After sharing the positives from the observed session, use the observation form to share what you observed from the session and any areas of growth.