Andrew Burton

• Active learning pedagogies
• Peer observation in theory and in practice
• Universal Design for Learning pedagogies

Projects:

1. The UDL-Focused Peer Observation Project (January to June 2018)

Andrew partnered with ten other faculty to conduct peer observation primarily focused on investigating the theory and implementation of Universal Design for Learning pedagogy. Andrew both observed his partners and was observed by them. The project’s output included Andrew writing up a UDL FAQ and multiple lesson plans featuring UDL pedagogy.

2. The Marianopolis Peer Observation Project (Year 2: June 2017 to June 2018)

The second year of the project married peer observation and mentorship: during the Fall 2016 semester, in addition to coordinating the launch of the Marianopolis Peer Observation Program, Andrew designed a college-wide mentorship program featuring interdepartmental mentor-mentee pairings and release time for the mentors; also, Andrew designed and led a hiring process to select a pilot mentor. That pilot mentor partnered with five mentees during the Winter 2018 semseter, and both mentor and mentees reported that the pilot program had been hugely beneficial. Marianopolis administration is now examining the possibility of a college-wide launch in the Fall 2019 semester.

3. The Marianopolis Peer Observation Project (Year 1: January to December 2016)

During the Winter 2016 semester, Andrew researched peer observation and designed peer observation tools, processes and training. During the Fall 2016 semester, he then coordinated and assessed the implementation of a pilot peer observation program that involved 15 faculty volunteers from five departments, 100% of whom judged that the benefits of peer observation outweighed the costs.