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Peer Observation of Teaching FLC

The Peer Observation of Teaching Faculty Learning Community (FLC) is designed to build capacity for meaningful, development-oriented peer observation of teaching by promoting shared principles and practices while remaining attentive to the unique contexts, procedures, and expectations of individual departments and schools.

Participants will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in reciprocal reflective observation practices that enhance teaching and student learning. Grounded in research (Chism, 1999; Dawson, 2020; Fletcher, 2018; Gosling, 2002; Zeng, 2020), this FLC adopts a developmental and peer-review model that prioritizes mutual learning, dialogue, and reflection rather than evaluation or judgment.

The FLC is offered by the IU Indianapolis Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in partnership with FACET (Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching) and the Institute for Engaged Learning (IEL). 

"[Peer observation] is a collegial process whereby two faculty members voluntarily work together to improve or expand their capabilities and approaches to teaching.Its purpose is to improve teaching through dialogue, self and mutual reflection, and stimulate improvement. Mutual benefits are produced for observer and the observed (i.e., it is a two-way interaction)."

- Fletcher (2018, pp. 52 - 54)

Key Dates and Application

The FLC will run from Fall 2026 through Spring 2027 with key dates listed below:

  • Applications Open: Thursday, October 1, 2026
  • Applications Close: Monday, October 19, 11:59 p.m.
  • Acceptance Notifications Sent: by Tuesday, October 27
  • In-Person Kick-Off Meeting: Friday, October 30, 11 a.m.
  • Virtual Check-in Meeting: Mid-November
  • Peer Reciprocal Observations: November 2026 - February 2027
  • In-Person Final Reflection Meeting: Friday, March 5, 2027

Preview Application

Review the application questions before you apply.

Submit Application

Submit the online application form by October 19.

Program Details

Participants will:

  • Develop a shared understanding of effective, non-evaluative peer observation practices.
  • Build skills in the three-step observation cycle—pre-observation consultation, classroom observation and documentation, and post-observation dialogue—in a variety of teaching contexts, including High-Impact Practice (HIP) courses.
  • Engage in evidence-informed discussions about teaching and student learning.
  • Identify and plan at least one instructional, curricular, or student-support innovation.
  • Foster a relational and collaborative culture in teaching and learning that supports continuous improvement.

The FLC will offer an High-Impact Practices (HIPs) Track for instructors who are teaching HIPs courses and would like to build knowledge and skills on peer observations of HIPs courses. 

At least four spots will be designated for faculty who have previous HIPs training with the goal of targeted observations to document the implementation of High-Impact Practices (HIPs), supporting IEL’s strategic priorities and building institutional capacity in this area.

Instructors of record of all appointment types and ranks from IU Indianapolis, Columbus, and Fort Wayne who have five or more years of teaching experience in higher education (at IU and other post-secondary institutions) and are currently teaching at the undergraduate level in Fall 2026 and/or will teach at the undergraduate level in Spring 2027 will be eligible to apply.

Instructors with experience teaching undergraduate High-Impact Teaching Practices (HIPs) courses are especially encouraged to apply.

The FLC will be capped at 12 instructors across ranks and disciplines.

Please note that faculty from the IU School of Medicine are not eligible to apply to this program. 

The FLC is designed as a low-burden, high-impact professional learning experience that is flexible, practice-based, and respectful of faculty time. The total estimated time commitment is 16 hours.

  • Kick-Off Session | 1.5 hours
    Establish norms, introduce peer observation models and reciprocal observation guidelines, and finalize observation pairs.
  • FACET Peer Observer of Teaching 2.0 Course | 4 hours
    Complete the first four content modules in the self-paced FACET course. Attend virtual check-in meeting
  • Reciprocal Peer Observation Cycle and Reflection | 9 hours
    Each participant observes one peer and is observed once, engaging in pre-observation consultation, observation, and post-observation dialogue. Participants complete a final reflection survey at the end of the cycle and uploads reports to FACET course.
  • Final Reflection Meeting | 1.5 hours
    Reflect on the experiences of being observed and being an observer; identify an instructional insight, reinforcement, or planned change; identify strengths and growth areas as a peer reviewer; and complete the program feedback survey. 

Successful completion of the FLC requires the following deliverables:

  • Attend the in-person kickoff, virtual check-in meeting, and final reflection meeting, with make-up arrangements determined by facilitators if necessary.
  • Complete the FACET course. 
  • Complete one reciprocal observation cycle as observer and observee.
  • Complete reciprocal observation reflection.
  • Complete program feedback survey.

Upon successful completion of the FLC, participants will receive a stipend of $500. Participants are eligible to receive an additional $500 stipend if they complete two additional peer reviews by end of Spring 2027.

Questions? Contact Us

For any questions regarding the program details or the application, please contact program facilitators, Aimee Zoeller and Anusha S. Rao. 

For questions regarding the HIPs track, please contact Aimee Zoeller. 

For questions regarding the FACET Peer Observer course, please contact Gina Londino-Smolar.