Overview
Course review focuses on the evaluation of course materials and creates an opportunity to support faculty members through peer commentary on the courses. This section outlines elements to consider when planning for course review.
Course review roles
As outlined in the Faculty Collective Agreement, there are two main roles in the course review process:
Pedagogy Committee
No more than three faculty members assigned by the department chair/director to conduct the course review
Faculty member
The person whose course is being reviewed (and who will be refered to in this guide).
Course materials
When selecting course materials to review, keep in mind the following elements:
- Learning outcomes
- Assessments and grading criteria
- Instructional methods (e.g., lesson plans, lecture slides)
- Learning activities (e.g., handouts, worksheets)
- Course content (e.g., course syllabus, resources, textbook, lab manual)
- Technology (e.g., learning management system (LMS))
Tip
While it may not be possible to review all materials from a course, consider reviewing materials across the elements listed above to facilitate a holistic review. When selecting materials for review, think about your disciplinary context and expectations around course materials.
Planning considerations
At the beginning of each academic year, the Pedagogy Committee will select the courses to be reviewed for the year in accordance with Section 25 of the Collective Agreement for UVic Faculty and Librarians (2022-2025).
Each faculty member with assigned graduate or undergraduate teaching shall undergo course reviews. The schedule is found in the Collective Agreement (CA 25.10a-c).
When planning for a course review within your department, it is helpful to consider the various elements of the review process. These elements include communicating the purpose of the Pedagogy Committee, the role of professional development, and the review process to faculty members. It is also important to consider how the confidentiality of collected information will be maintained and other administrative components. If any issues arise, consult with your Department Chair/Director.
The Pedagogy Committee will conduct a course review, which is intended to “enable regular review of course materials to ensure program requirements are met, course materials are current, best pedagogy is engaged and support is given in enabling instructor attention to universal design methods, equity principles, decolonization and/or Indigenization, and optimal assessment methodologies” (CA 25.15). We invite you to reflect on the course’s effectiveness, both past and present, and consider how teaching and learning practices might evolve in the future. As you do so, please consider the discipline, available resources, and the overall learning experience within the course and program.
Feedback and response
When preparing feedback, focus on supporting the faculty member’s development and growth by offering feedback that is descriptive and constructive, manageable, and specific (Tse, 2022). Faculty members are asked to respond to the feedback they are given through a brief written response to the Department Chair/Director highlighting what was learned from the course review and address areas for improvement (CA 25.15). As stated within the Collective Agreement, course review feedback and the faculty member’s response shall be included in the faculty member’s teaching dossier.
University expectations and standards
To better understand the university’s expectations and standards, please review the following resources:
- Collective Agreement for UVic Faculty and Librarians (2022-2025)
- Faculty/departmental policies
- UVic Plans
- UVic Policies (e.g., Academic Accommodation and Access for Students with Disabilities, Human Rights, Equity and Fairness)
If you have specific questions about how Pedagogy Committees work within your area, reach out to your Department Chair or Director.
Reference
Tse, C. (2022). “Peer Feedback on Your Teaching.” Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence at the University of Illinois Chicago. Retrieved 06/18/2024 from https://teaching.uic.edu/cate-teaching-guides/reflective-teaching-guides/peer-feedback-on-your-teaching/
