Teaching Evaluations at TTU Using the IDEA Instrument

Are Student Evaluations of Teaching Valid? Yes, but realize - Student evaluations can be influenced by communication skills and teaching style Students do not evaluate the accuracy of information presented TTU

Teaching Evaluation Policy at TTU Untenured Faculty - Every Course Tenured Faculty - 2 courses per year TTU

Teaching Evaluation Instrument used at Tennessee Tech Univ IDEA (Individual Development and Educational Assessment) www.idea.ksu.edu Developed at Kansas State University and disseminated to other universities in 1975 Currently used by many institutions across the U.S. Continually improved through research and testing. TTU

Key Features of IDEA System Instructor selects teaching goals Controls for extraneous variables (e.g., motivation and class size) National database for comparisons Adaptable to web-based instruction TTU

Students rate their progress in each course compared to other courses on goals such as Gaining Factual Knowledge Learning to apply course material to solve problems Acquiring skills in working with others as a team Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas Developing creative capacities TTU

Effective Use of IDEA Depends on Selecting the appropriate form Selecting appropriate course goals Interpreting the results correctly TTU

Choosing the Long or Short Form   TTU

Long Versus Short Form Long Short 18 core questions 29 additional methods/diagnostic questions 10 additional questions possible Space for student comments 18 core questions 10 additional questions possible Space for student comments TTU

Differences in controlled variables Long form Class size Desire to take course regardless of who taught it Student effort not attributable to instructor Course difficulty not attributable to Instructor Short form Class size Desire to take course regardless of who taught it Student effort not attributable to instructor TTU

Selecting Objectives on the Faculty Information Form TTU

When to mark an objective as important or essential TTU

Report Form TTU

Relationship Between Progress on Relevant Objectives and Excellence of Teacher TTU

Report Form TTU

Relationship Between Progress on Relevant Objectives and “How Hard Students Work” TTU

Suggestions to Help Improve Teaching Evaluations Select appropriate goals for the course. Is this a significant part of the course? Do I do something specific to help the students accomplish this objective? Does the student’s progress on this objective affect his or her grade? Clearly explain goals at the beginning of course and frequently remind students of those goals. Include goals on syllabus. Monitor student’s progress on those goals and provide alternative opportunities for improvement on the goals. Don’t give tests that have to be dramatically curved. Don’t have evaluations completed immediately after giving a test. Use active learning techniques. TTU

Teaching Evaluations & The QEP Improve Students’ critical thinking/real-world problem solving through the use of active learning strategies. with emphasis on Communication skills Teamwork skills Creative thinking TTU

Frequency IDEA Objectives Selected TTU

Progress on IDEA Objectives TTU

Frequency IDEA Objectives are Selected and Overall Progress by Unit http://www.tntech.edu/strategicplanning/ttu-assessment-data Information about TTU QEP http://www.tntech.edu/qep/ TTU

Thank You Dr. Theresa Ennis tennis@tntech.edu 372-6124; Office FB 201C TTU End