In general, evaluations involve expressions of value and assessments of quality. Student evaluations contain analysis of and comments about how objectives and results are connected in teaching or learning processes. The aim of evaluations is to interpret the relationship between the expected results and the results that are actually achieved. There are three main reasons for carrying out student evaluations:
The form of evaluation used has a big effect on the results, so it is important that teachers are aware of the purpose of their own particular evaluations. You can use summative evaluations to assess student learning processes and your teaching as a whole. Summative evaluations measure what the students have learned. You can also use formative evaluations, the purpose of which is to promote and shape future learning processes. Formative evaluations have been shown to have a positive effect on the efforts made by students as well as their learning processes.
Good evaluation practice allows for various dimensions and creates a balance between knowledge, values, application and the object being evaluated. The way in which knowledge is collected and presented must be made clear. You need to decide which of the parties involved should choose the basic values of the evaluation in order to increase the demands that are made. You need to analyse the evaluation results and the way in which the evaluation process can be used in practice. The object of evaluation must also be obvious: many different things can be evaluated, so the framework must be clearly defined.
Even though student evaluations are negative, this does not necessarily mean that the course or teacher in question is sub-standard. There are many reasons for negative evaluations, and they need to be assessed in the right context, drawing overall conclusions from the evaluation results. Even though your evaluation process has a clear framework, the results may identify the presence of factors which are beyond your control. So teachers should focus on things that can be changed – but also on how their teaching can be structured to increase the motivation and commitment of the students.
Please contact the editors at AU Educate if you have any questions about the content of the platform or if you need consultation on your teaching from one of the many skilled professionals at the Centre for Educational Development.
