HILT 2017 Conference: Making the most of student evaluations

TL;DR

This session discusses the importance of student evaluations as formative instruments for improving teaching practices and provides strategies for making the most of these evaluations.

Transcript

So thank you, everyone, for coming to this breakout session. I'm happy to have this conversation, actually I'm really looking forward to having this conversation about making the most of student evaluations. And thanks for self-grouping into some tables. That's OK. Somebody will figure that out. You'll notice that in front of you there are some han... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 Student evaluations are valuable tools for professional growth, providing feedback that can inform teaching practices.
• 🧑‍🎓 Analyzing qualitative feedback from student evaluations can help educators identify areas of strength and growth.
• 🧑‍🎓 Collaborating with peers and sharing ideas can enhance teaching practices based on student evaluations.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can student evaluations be used as formative instruments for professional improvement?

Student evaluations provide valuable insight into teaching practices, highlighting areas of strength and areas for improvement. By analyzing these evaluations and considering student feedback, educators can make informed changes to enhance their teaching methods.

Q: How can data from student evaluations be effectively analyzed to identify areas of improvement?

The qualitative feedback from student evaluations can be systematically coded and analyzed to identify patterns and trends. By categorizing feedback by themes, educators can gain a deeper understanding of their teaching effectiveness and areas for growth.

Q: How can educators use student evaluations to engage and support students?

Student evaluations can provide information on student engagement and support. By examining feedback related to student engagement and creating a supportive learning environment, educators can implement strategies to better engage students and address their needs.

Q: How can the use of student evaluations be expanded beyond individual faculty evaluation?

Student evaluations can be used to inform institutional decision-making and program improvement. By analyzing and synthesizing data from student evaluations across courses or departments, institutions can identify areas of strength and areas for improvement, leading to better overall teaching and student experiences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The session focuses on the significance of student evaluations as a way to improve teaching practices and learn from student feedback.

• Strategies mentioned include using formative assessment approaches throughout the semester, collaborating with peers to share ideas, and looking at one or two key questions from evaluations to track progress.

• The analysis of a case study demonstrates the process of analyzing student evaluations and using the qualitative feedback to identify areas of strength and improvement.