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Formative Feedback Partners (FFP)

Formative Feedback Partners are graduate students, postdocs, and faculty trained in leading Small Group Analyses, conducting Teaching Observations, and facilitating End-of-Term Focus Groups to provide evidence-based, formative feedback on teaching. Throughout the academic year, Formative Feedback Partners participate in a learning community in which they engage in discussions and activities to deepen their skills in providing written and verbal formative feedback.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Location
Locations vary.

Size & Format
In-person: <10 participants

Dates & Times
Formative Feedback Partners meet and conduct Small Group Analyses, Teaching Observations, and End-of-Term Focus Groups throughout the academic year.

Audience
Faculty, Graduate Students, Postdoctorial Trainees, Staff

Overview

Formative Feedback Partners provide feedback on teaching in any context through three methods:

  • Small Group Analysis (SGA): Early- to mid-quarter qualitative and quantitative feedback from students for instructors at all levels. SGAs primarily take place between weeks 4 and 7 of each quarter to provide midcourse feedback.
  • Teaching Observation: Personalized feedback on teaching techniques for graduate students and postdocs. Teaching Observations can occur at any point during the quarter.
  • End-of-Term Focus Group: Evaluations for courses (taught by any level of instructor) with fewer than five students. End-of-Term Focus Groups are conducted at the end of the quarter, with instructor consultations taking place after grades have been submitted.

Eligibility

Graduate students, postdocs, and faculty are welcome to join Formative Feedback Partners.

We encourage graduate students & postdocs to complete one or more of the following programs prior to joining FFP:

  • Reflective & Effective Teaching (or Teaching Certificate Program)
  • Reflective Teaching Guides (or Graduate Teaching Mentors)
  • Graduate Teaching Fellows
  • Searle Teaching-as-Research (STAR) 

Interested faculty should have a demonstrated knowledge of current evidence-based practices in learning and teaching, as evidenced by a teaching statement or other documentation.

Application or Registration

If you are interested in joining Formative Feedback Partners complete our interest form.

Note: New FFPs are welcome at the beginning of each quarter and are asked to complete a 2-hour training session.

Objectives

By participating, Formative Feedback Partners will be able to:

  • Develop written and verbal formative feedback skills.
  • Connect feedback to evidence-based practices in learning & teaching.

Time Commitment and/or Schedule

Formative Feedback Partners is a flexible program, allowing participants to conduct SGAs and Teaching Observations as their schedules allow.

  • Each participant is required to complete a 2-hour training before conducting SGAs and Teaching Observations.
  • Each SGA, End-of-Term Focus Group, and Teaching Observation process typically takes around 2 hours.
  • Each quarter, participants are required to attend a 90-minute-long program cohort meeting.

Contact Us

Kate Flom Derrick, Assistant Director of Foundations in Learning & Teaching
kate.flomderrick@northwestern.edu