Melbourne Peer Review of Teaching

Overview

The Melbourne Peer Review of Teaching (MPRT) program aims to improve the quality of teaching, learning and the educational experience of students at the University of Melbourne. Participating in MPRT allows academics to gain specialist feedback through supportive conversations and a holistic review of their curriculum design; assessment, and teaching practices. It involves assessment of a written submission and an in-class teaching observation.

The MPRT process is a university-wide program that offers formal evaluation and recognition of teaching performance aligned with the University’s Framework for Educational Excellence. The evaluations are carried out by members of the Melbourne College of Reviewers, consisting of highly experienced academics with a demonstrated track record in teaching excellence.

During the review, academics must demonstrate how they address the first three dimensions of the Framework for Educational Excellence. They also nominate a fourth FEE dimension of their choice for evaluation. Any further specific aspects of their teaching they are seeking feedback upon can also be incorporated into the review.

Most faculties at the University of Melbourne also offer their own peer review of teaching programs, which are more developmental and focus on teaching in specific disciplinary contexts. For details, please see

• Faculty of Arts – see Arts E&S Intranet for details
• Faculty of Education – see PRT Pilot flyer for more information
• Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology – see PRT Pilot Program page for more information
• Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences – see MDHS L&T Intranet for details

After filling out the application form you will be contacted by CSHE to confirm your participation and begin the process of assigning you reviewers. The PRT process requires you to demonstrate how you meet four of the seven FEE dimensions. For each of these four you will make a written submission of 500 words maximum (i.e. 2,000 words total), indicating how your teaching practice addresses the goals of the FEE.

The first three FEE dimensions must be addressed by all participants and are:

1. Well-designed and engaging learning experiences
2. Evidence-based and inclusive teaching practices
3. Effective assessment and feedback

Each participant then choses to address ONE further dimension from the following:

4. Guidance and support inside and outside the classroom
5. Integration of scholarship and professional practice into teaching and learning
6. Continuous improvement and professional development
7. Educational collaboration, leadership and commitment to dissemination

The written submission allows your reviewer to better understand the context of your teaching practice and the aims and thinking that informs this. The written submission is not expected to be a list of every teaching activity you have ever done. It should be a targeted explanation of how your practice aligns with the specific FEE goals. You can use examples or case studies to do this, but be explicit about how these correspond to the FEE dimension you are addressing. Think about what aspects of your teaching you most want to evidence, and present these clearly to reviewers. Consider incorporating themes such as:

• What is your overall aim in teaching students?
• How does your teaching facilitate and support effective student learning?
• What teaching methods do you regularly use to facilitate learning?
• What educational objectives do you focus on and how do you ensure they are met?

The inclusion of the subject outline for the class you are having observed also assists in showing how your teaching supports the learning objectives and any other goals you have for your students.

Please see the Framework for Educational Excellence document for “important aspects of practice” for each dimension that will assist with ideas as to what to include. (Note that within the word limit and your specific context, you are unlikely to have the opportunity to expand on every aspect listed for each dimension.)

Not every example or case study will fit neatly into a specific FEE dimension without crossing into other ones. Be assured that the reviewers are reading your application as a whole and will understand where the cross-overs are occurring.

FAQs