Evaluation of University Teachers’ Instructional Performance through Students’ Ratings

Abstract

Students' ratings are considered one of the best methods for evaluating the quality of university instruction due to its objectivity, feedback providing and improvement of instruction quality. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the quality of university instruction by means of students’ ratings and comparing them in accordance with students’ level and specialization. A questionnaire was administered to 240 students enrolled in social sciences department. It consisted of 51 items categorized under five dimensions: course planning, actual course practices, communication and classroom interaction, assessment of learning and personality traits. Data were analyzed using percentages and one-way ANOVA. The study showed weak ratings in the course planning, communication and classroom interaction and assessment of learning, but good ratings in the actual course practices and personality traits. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the students' ratings according to their level and specialization.