THEME: Methods for Continuous Teaching Evaluation

The Delphi Method

Description: Each student writes down one positive aspect and one area for improvement on a piece of paper. The papers are then circulated among all students, who mark a check next to the points they agree with. The results can be optionally discussed in a plenary session.

Suitable for: Smaller groups of up to 40 students

Advantages: Students set the agenda, and all students have a voice. Individual statements are quantified. Low resource demand.

Weaknesses: The teacher may not necessarily receive feedback on the desired aspects. Well-articulated statements might receive more support than deserved, purely due to wording. 

The Reference Group Method

Description: At the beginning of the course, a group of students representative of the class is selected. Other students can provide their feedback to this group, which then meets with the teacher as needed.

Suitable for: Larger classes

Advantages: The teacher can receive feedback on teaching throughout the semester. The reference group acts as a “spokesperson” for the entire class, so they are not personally at risk when delivering potentially harsh criticism.

Weaknesses: The reference group might forget they are representing the class and only pass on their own feedback to the teacher. It can be logistically challenging for the teacher and students to find time to meet.

Alignment of expectations

Description: Unusually, expectation alignment can also be viewed as an evaluation. In any case, it provides the teacher with the opportunity to adjust their teaching and allows students to adjust their expectations.

The teacher can ask students – either in writing or orally – for input on their actual academic prerequisites, their expectations regarding the relevance and coherence of the content, or how they expect to participate in the teaching.

Suitable for: All types of classes

Advantages: It allows the teacher to address the needs of the student group from the very beginning of a course, either by adjusting aspects of the teaching format or content or by clarifying any misunderstood expectations.

Weaknesses: Students may have unrealistic expectations that the teaching cannot or will not meet.

Plus and Minus

with heavy inspiration from Karen Kjær Larsen, ITI

Description: The teacher leaves the room for 15-20 minutes, and the students are asked to discuss the positives and negatives of both their own efforts and the teacher’s methods – in relation to their own learning. The class selects a moderator who collects and records the group's comments, for example, on the board. The instructor returns and receives detailed feedback.

Suitable for: Smaller classes of up to 40 students

Advantages: The teacher can immediately address any indistinctness. All students have the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Weaknesses: Time must be allocated during the class. Some issues may not be mentioned, as the method does not guarantee anonymity from fellow students (and to some extent, from the teacher as well).

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