Course Circumstances and Teaching Methods Related to Student Ratings

• In Event: 33.059 - Improving Student Evaluations of Teaching

Abstract

Students enrolled in 490,333 classes completed the IDEA Student Rating Form. Ratings were aggregated to create means at the course level. Faculty completed the IDEA Faculty Information Form and indicated the impact of nine course circumstances on student learning. Instructor perceptions of student enthusiasm (d = .87) and effort to learn (d = .67) had strong effects on excellence of the course. Perceptions of student enthusiasm (d = .58) had moderate effects on excellence of the teacher. Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) revealed that organizational teaching methods contributed to excellence of the course, whereas teacher rapport/interactions were important for excellence of the teacher. Methods associated with clarity and enthusiasm/expression were associated with both ratings of excellence.

Authors

• Dan Li, The IDEA Center, Inc.

• Stephen L. Benton, The IDEA Center