Depends on what you mean by assessing. If you mean assessing student learning: no.
If you mean assessing the quality of teaching: likely. Peter Seldin and Bill McKeachie did a presentation at the Improving University Teaching conference in July in which they discussed the role of student evaluations and other activities as effective practices for improving university teaching. Seldin presented his findings from a survey of 80 directors of teaching centers around the world in which they evaluated practices designed to improve teaching. Systematic ratings by students was rated second . Seldin qualified the student ratings activity, arguing that the rating system must be a diagnostic rating (like Student Assessment of Learning Gains questions, often used in the IDEA Center evaluations), instructors are given assistance in interpreting the findings, and faculty are motivated to use the information to make changes as needed. The highest rated activity was a "system for faculty to assess their own strengths and areas needing improvement" (this must me a structured reflective activity). The third most effective practice was workshop that explore various methods of instruction. Ronald Berk argues that student ratings are strongly correlated with other measures of teaching effectiveness. You might take a look at his book, Thirteen Strategies to Measure College Teaching (2006), in which he makes the case that while informative, student ratings should never be the only measure of teaching effectiveness. Claudia J. Stanny, Ph.D. Director, Center for University Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Associate Professor, Psychology University of West Florida Pensacola, FL 32514 - 5751 Phone: (850) 857-6355 or 473-7435 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> CUTLA Web Site: http://uwf.edu/cutla/ <http://uwf.edu/cutla/> Personal Web Pages: http://uwf.edu/cstanny/website/index.htm <http://uwf.edu/cstanny/website/index.htm> From: Michael Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 10:02 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Student evaluations Is there actually any research that shows course-end student evaluations are of much use in assessing a well prepared and taught course? Are they not more of a personality comparison between profs that the student is currently taking courses from? --Mike --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
