Open Access Article

Using a Template to Facilitate External Peer Preview of Curriculum: A Variation on the PRoT Theme

by Rebecca Sealey

Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University

Published in: Education Research and Perspectives, Volume 40, 2 April 2013, Pages 109-123;
DOI: 10.70953/ERPv40.13005

Abstract

Peer reviewing of teaching and curriculum in Higher Education is a common practice aimed at both quality assurance and professional development. External review of curriculum prior to implementation appears less common. The aim of this project was to develop, implement and evaluate a userfriendly process for external peer preview of teaching (PPoT). A peer preview template was designed by a subject coordinator and following initial internal review, was used by two external academics and an external clinician to peer preview new curriculum. The template and curriculum were designed specifically to capture University, industry and professional accreditation requirements as well as University graduate attributes, coursespecific learning outcomes and diversity of student learning styles. The peer previewers reported that the template was easy to use and not overly time consuming. Identified strengths of the process were the inclusion of a variety of previewers and use of check boxes/circle responses (time efficient responses). The review was performed by a small sample; however, suggestions for further improvement included the reduction of repetition with open-ended questions and inclusion of a neutral response option. The userfriendly peer preview template has been included for multi-disciplinary involvement in future external peer previews of Higher Education curriculum.