PEER CONSULTATION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:   Faculty often need and desire feedback about their teaching.  Century College’s Center for Teaching and Learning provides a confidential, one-on-one or group consultation service for faculty to meet this need.  Faculty members may request classroom visits, explore innovative teaching techniques, receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, investigate alternative assessment methods and consider other ways to cultivate improvement in their teaching.  This peer consultation service is free to all Century faculty, is completely voluntary, and absolutely confidential.  It is provided by faculty, for faculty - its sole purpose is to support faculty in their teaching.

STATUS:   The Century College peer consultation program began as part of the Active Learning Advocate grant in 2003, when Michele Neaton, the Active Learning Advocate, participated in intensive consultant training through the MnSCU Center for Teaching and Learning.  That fall, a teaching circle studied various modes of consultation, took part  in training sessions, surveyed faculty, developed a set of recommendations on peer consultation (based on survey findings), and produced a Frequently Asked Questions handout for faculty. From this teaching circle, an initial group of consultants became available to Century faculty, and since then additional faculty have trained and consulted with their peers.  More than thirty-five Century faculty have requested and received individual consultation services, ranging from Small Group Instructional Feedback sessions, grant-writing assistance, sabbatical planning, location and acquisition of resources, and classroom visits and support.  Topics for consultation have included assessment, e-learning, classroom management, course design, successful discussion and lecture techniques, active learning strategies, teaching effectively in a lab setting, service learning, and use of technology in the classroom.

WHO’S INVOLVED:  The current list of trained peer consultants includes Carl Gerriets, Lynda Goerisch, Carol Libson, Michele Neaton, Pakou Vang, Judy Vimont, and Tracey Wyman. 

VISION for the FUTURE:  To enlarge the team of peer consultants who are available to provide feedback, support and information for other faculty.  The goal is to have a peer consultant readily available for any faculty member who wants to take advantage of the program in order to become a more effective teacher.

OPPORTUNITIES for INVOLVEMENT:  Any Century faculty member may request a confidential consultation by contacting the Peer Consultant Coordinator, Michele Neaton at 779-3245 or michele.neaton@century.edu, or by directly contacting a consultant on the above list.  Interested in becoming a peer consultant?  Contact Michele Neaton about training opportunities.

POWERFUL STORIES OF CENTURY

WHAT FACULTY ARE SAYING ABOUT PEER CONSULTATION

 The following emailed comments from faculty to peer consultants are anonymous because the peer consultation process is strictly confidential.

“Thanks for reviewing my student feedback from summer school, for sharing with me about the summer sessions in general, and telling me about the common experience among faculty over time and the content issues involved.  I really appreciate having your feedback as a colleague and your efforts in helping me learn more effective techniques as a teacher.  I spent some time this afternoon reading selected parts of the book you gave me and find it helpful.  I would like to have you visit my classes again in the future to have your feedback, ideas and suggestions.   I feel like some growth is taking place, am encouraged by the process and look forward to learning more.”

“Thank you for your encouragement. I will continue to strive and create more new ideas in teaching. Thank you again for providing me the great opportunity.”

“Just wanted to thank you again for coming to my classes.  I think both the students and I were not only informed, but also energized about service learning as a result!  This will indeed be a significant learning experience for all of us.  I'm really looking forward to what projects my students will come up with, including the kinds of issues and concerns they'll have.  And it helps to know you're here to assist us!”

“I want to thank you for all your support and encouragement.  I appreciate your dedication to improvement in teaching.  The peer consultation was very helpful.”

“Thanks for your quick reply--you are such a terrific resource!  I'm looking forward to the online workshop--I'm excited to be teaching online. Right now I'm mulling over active learning exercises that will work in the electronic delivery mode. Thanks again for all your suggestions.”

“This process (Small Group Instructional Feedback--SGIF) has been so informative and educational for me.  Also, I just wanted to say that you are very motivating.  Your positive nature and enthusiasm for teaching has been inspiring.