AIIAS student evaluation of teaching form : student perceptions and suggestions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a revised Teaching Evaluation Form based on the students' opinion of the current Teaching evaluation Form in the Adventrst Onternational lnstitute of Advaced Studies, main campus. In this study 56 students from the 2 schools participated filling a survey questionnaire prepared to get their opinion and comments about evaluating the teacher's teaching, and the current teaching evaluation form items. Results show that most of the participants considered the current teaching evaluation form is a valid instrument. However, the majority of the participants also agree that this document needs changes to become an efficrent instrument to provide feedback regarding teaching. Most of the participants consrdered they are capable of evaluatrng teachers, the most common reasons being that they are the students receiving the service, they are teachers too, and because they have undergone educational studies. Regardtng the Teaching Evaluation Form, the elimination of ambrguity and positive statements from the form's items were the most common requests together with the need of focusing the items on specrfic aspects, and for more opportunities to include comments. The need of a new design form was also mentioned. Most of the partrcipants wanted to know what happens with the evaluation form and the results. Participants requested transparency in the process and feedback to the students about the results and applied changes. Based on the students' requests and comments a revised document was developed with the aim of providing the students with an instrument which they can feel confident will provide their feedback and opinion.