Peer Observation for the Improvement of Teaching Practices in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

  • Ana Mateus João Pereira Escola Superior de Guerra & CIDTFF - Centro de Investigação em Didática e Tecnologia na Formação de Formadores, Universidade de Aveiro
  • Margarida M. Marques CIDTFF, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro
  • Maria João Loureiro CIDTFF, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34624/2sknh890

Keywords:

Higher Education, University, Peer observation, Systematic review

Abstract

The rapid expansion of Higher Education (HE) in Angola has raised concerns regarding the academic and professional qualifications of teaching staff. In this context, this Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aims to understand how peer observation can contribute to the improvement of teaching practices in HE. The research was conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science (Core Collection and SciELO), and EBSCO (Academic Search Complete and ERIC) databases, covering studies published between 2014 and 2023 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The search strategy yielded 248 records, of which 89 were duplicates. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 articles were selected for analysis. These studies were examined to identify peer observation models, their implementation in HE, and the facilitating or hindering factors involved. The analysis revealed four distinct peer observation models. Reported benefits include strengthened trust among faculty, enhanced teaching competencies, promotion of critical reflection on pedagogical practices, and the development of a culture of collegiality and mutual support. The literature also highlights that institutional support is a key factor for the effective implementation of peer observation. Conversely, resistance to change and fear of judgment by peers emerge as significant barriers to its adoption. The findings of this SLR underscore the potential of peer observation as a collaborative strategy for professional development in Higher Education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aderibigbe, S. A., & Ajasa, F. A. (2013). Peer coaching as an institutionalised tool for professional development the perceptions of tutors in a Nigerian college. Journal of Workplace Learning, 25(2), 125–140. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665621311299807

Bailey, J. M., & Voorheis-Sargent, A. (2018). Regional Peer Coaching Program for Basic Science Faculty. Medical Science Educator, August 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-018-0612-8

Bell, A., & Thomson, K. (2018). Supporting peer observation of teaching: Collegiality, conversations, and autonomy. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 3297, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2016.1212725

Carlson, K. (2020). Peer Coaching as a Faculty Development Tool: A Mixed Methods Evaluation. Original Research, April, 168–175.

Cerqueira Gonçalves Miranda, H. M., & Seabra, F. (2019). Centros escolares e supervisão colaborativa: perspetivas quanto ao contributo para o desenvolvimento profissional e a melhoria das práticas pedagógicas - um estudo em curso. Dialogia, 33, 143–159. https://doi.org/10.5585/dialogia.n33.15411

Cosh, J. (1998). Peer Observation in Higher Education – A Reflective Approach. Innvations i Education and Training International, 8005, 171–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/1355800980350211

Domingos, R., Costa, N., & Oliveira, D. da S. (2021). Qualificação acadêmica e profissional dos docentes do ensino superior em Angola: Instrumento de análise e sua validação. Revista Internacional de Educação Superior, 7(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.20396/riesup.v7i0. 8659031

Donato, H., & Donato, M. (2019). Etapas na condução de uma revisão sistemática. Revista Científica Da Ordem Dos Médicos, 32(3), 227–235. https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.11923

Frigini, L. A. (2019). Collaborative Learning in Radiology: From Peer Review to Peer Learning and Peer Coaching. Radiology Research Alliance Collaborative, August 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2019.09.021

Frost, L., Greene, J., Huffman, T., Johnson, B., Kunberger, T., & Wayne, F. (2018). SPARCT: A STEM Professional Academy to Reinvigorate the Culture of Teaching. Journal of STEM Education, March, 62–69.

Gosling, D. (2002). Models of Peer Observation of Teaching. ResearchGate, 1–7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267687499

Heron, M., & Head, R. (2019). Discourses of peer observation in higher education: Event or system? Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 56(4), 458–469. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2018.1531776

Lowder, L., Atiqulla, M., Colebeck, D., Das, S., Karim, M. A., Khalid, A., & Singh, R. (2017). Peer Observation: Improvement of Teaching Effectiveness through Class Participation at a Polytechnic University. Journal of STEM Education, 18(4), 51–56.

O’Keeffe, M., Crehan, M., Munro, M., Logan, A., Farrell, A. M., Clarke, E., Flood, M., Ward, M., Andreeva, T., Van Egeraat, C., Heaney, F., Curran, D., & Clinton, E. (2021). Exploring the role of peer observation of teaching in facilitating cross-institutional professional conversations about teaching and learning. International Journal for Academic Development, 26(3), 266–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2021.1954524

Page, M. J., Mckenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2022). A declaração PRISMA 2020: diretriz atualizada para relatar revisões sistemáticas. Pan American Journal of Public Health, 31(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742022000200033

Queiroga, L. C., Barreira, C., & Oliveira, A. (2017). Colaboração e supervisão na ADD: Estratégias formativas de desenvolvimento profissional dos professores. Revista de Estudios e Investigación En Psicología y Educación. https://doi.org/10.17979/reipe.2017.0.10.2459

Rocco, T. S. (2010). Criteria for evaluating qualitative studies. Human Resource Development International, 13(4), 375–378. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2010.501959

Silva, E. A. da. (2016). Gestão do ensino superior em Angola: realidades, tendências e desafios- rumo á qualidade (1st ed.). Mayamba Editota.

Vilelas, J. (2020). Investigação o processo de construção do conhecimento (3rd ed.). Edições Sílabo.

Whipp, P. R., & Pengelley, R. (2016). A Qualitative Evaluation of a Mentoring Program for Health and Physical Education Teachers. Advances in Physical Education, 06(02), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2016.62012

Wingrove, D., Hammersley-Fletcher, L., Clarke, A., & Chester, A. (2018). Leading Developmental Peer Observation of Teaching in Higher Education: Perspectives from Australia and England. British Journal of Educational Studies, 66(3), 365–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2017.1336201

Published

2025-11-28

Issue

Section

Supervisão em Educação

How to Cite

Peer Observation for the Improvement of Teaching Practices in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review. (2025). Indagatio Didactica, 17(3), 169-190. https://doi.org/10.34624/2sknh890