Teaching Evaluation
Teaching evaluation is a constructive process and review of pedagogical practices, effectiveness of instructional methods, curriculum delivery, classroom engagement, and the overall impact on student learning.
Improving the Evaluation of Teaching
At Rutgers, we are committed to supporting the development of robust processes for the evaluation of teaching. According to the Guidelines for Teaching Evaluation, each department should develop a teaching evaluation process which may include peer review of teaching, review of student feedback, and review of information from a teaching portfolio.
OTEAR has developed a series of best practice recommendations that may guide departments seeking to adopt and improve procedures for teaching evaluation. The pages here provide information on different forms of teaching evaluation and how to put them together within a department. In addition to brief summaries of best practices, we have compiled a list of resources that model quality evaluation programs which can be found on our Improving the Evaluation of Teaching Canvas site.
Teaching Portfolios
The Teaching Portfolio is best thought of as a documented statement of a faculty member’s teaching responsibilities, philosophy, goals, and accomplishments as a teacher. It is a flexible document, and can be used in a number of ways, depending upon the needs and interests of the faculty member. It can be an extensive collection of information, or something much more compact and limited.
Peer Review of Instruction
Peer review of teaching is the process by which an instructor’s faculty peers observe a component of his or her teaching and provide feedback for professional development and summative evaluation. Through this collaborative exchange, instructors can share successes and challenges with colleagues, allowing them to improve their teaching practices with collective insights.
Student Feedback
While students are not subject or pedagogy experts, students spend more time with faculty than anyone else and can provide valuable information about instructor behaviors such as whether the instructor was engaging, prepared, organized, and understandable. When used in combination with other components of teaching evaluation, and when interpreted carefully, student feedback is a valuable tool for measuring effective teaching.
Upcoming Workshops
Visit Workshops and Training to browse a complete selection of our available workshops.
-
Best Practices for Peer Review of Online Teaching (Virtual Interactive Workshop)
Monday, April 21, 2025, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Peer review of teaching plays a crucial role in the advancement, reappointment, and promotion process for instructors across all ranks. Many educators now teach courses with significant online components, including asynchronous online, synchronous online, and hybrid formats. Peer review of these courses presents unique challenges, such as defining the concept of “observation,” understanding the integration of course design and student engagement, and recognizing the specific challenges faced by both instructors and students in online settings. This workshop offers a platform to share best practices and engage in discussions about these issues. If you wish to attend the workshop or to receive the video recording after the workshop, please register.
-
Peer Review of the Teaching Portfolio (Virtual Working Session)
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am
Does your teaching portfolio present strong evidence showcasing your teaching success? Is the teaching philosophy clear and well-matched with your instructional goals? In this workshop we provide a rubric for evaluating teaching portfolios and assign participants to small teams to peer review their portfolios and document effective strategies and presentation of evidence. We will share results so that all participants can see the best strategies and learn from each other. This workshop is meant for those who can bring a draft portfolio to share with others. If you wish to attend the workshop or to receive the video recording after the workshop, please register.
Additional Resources
OTEAR Resources
OTEAR Workshops
Utilizing Learning Analytics
Resources for Conducting Surveys
OTEAR Community Site (Canvas login required)
Rutgers Resources
Institute for Teaching, Innovation & Inclusive Pedagogy (New Brunswick)
P3 Collaboratory (Newark)
Instructional Design & Technology (Camden)
University Online Education Services (formerly TLT)
Accessibility for Instructional Materials and Course Sites
DCS – Digital Classroom Services
Active Learning Community & Resources
Open Educational Resources Guide
Scheduling
Important Policies
Policy on Academic Integrity
FERPA – Faculty Responsibilities for Student Privacy