Supporting the peer-observation process for clinical teachers: Short Communication - 7F5

This presentation discusses the use of peer observation of teaching within a postgraduate course for clinical teachers in the health professions. It outlines the reasons for including peer observation of teaching within a twelve-month, part-time, supported online programme that focuses on teaching in clinical practice.It highlights the development of a multi-media learning resource that both models and supports the process of peer observation. A series of video-clips filmed specially shows members of the course team modelling peer-observation and the feedback process. The video-clips are packaged along with associated documentation, and presented to the students as a simulation exercise, to be undertaken as part of the learning process, and prior to attempting peer observation themselves. After acknowledging the technical and cost-implications of developing a CD-ROM, the presentation turns to the evaluation of the resource by both students and tutors. Future plans for both developing similar resources for other parts of the postgraduate course, and for extending the use of this package to the broader area of staff and faculty development will be outlined. The presentation concludes by stressing the value of both the multi-media resource and the process of peer observation