The assessment of instructional quality has been and continues to be a desirable, yet difficult endeavor in higher education. The development of new teaching evaluation frameworks along with instruments to measure various aspects of teaching practices holds promise. The challenge rests in the implementation of these frameworks and measures in…

To mitigate the effects of transactional distance, it is incumbent upon online instructors to intentionally and thoughtfully incorporate and implement strategies that will create a successful learning environment, keep learners motivated, and provide a rewarding learning experience where learners feel supported, valued and connected. The authors,…

This research draws on the experiences of a group of tertiary teachers who compiled a multi-purpose portfolio as an assessment component of a postgraduate certificate in tertiary teaching at a New Zealand University. The research was initially undertaken in response to feedback from some of the participants that the experience of compiling a…

The purpose of this study is to explore the accuracy of the TeacherInsight online perceiver tool (Gallup University, 2007) in determining the effectiveness of high rated (n =14) and low rated (n =36) math and science new hire teachers summative appraisal ratings, completed graduate coursework, and retention status following one year and three…

This study investigates what teachers learn from a graduate-level course that prepares them to pursue an advanced form of professional teaching certification based on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The study draws from Habermas's (1972, 1974) three knowledge constitutive interests--the technical, the practical, and…

Effects of rating scale format and rater training on leniency and halo in student ratings of instruction were investigated. Subjects were students in a graduate theological seminary. The findings demonstrate the importance of focusing efforts to improve quality of ratings on the students rather than on the format of the instrument. (Author/MSE)

Portfolio assessment is a method of teacher evaluation that is consistent with a professional rather than a technical view of teaching, enabling graduate students to document their creativity and wide-ranging skills. This article describes the development of a portfolio model of evaluation in a graduate program in behavior disorders at Western…

This paper introduces the use of various classroom assessment techniques for evaluating teachers, suggesting how information gained from these assessments can improve college teaching practice. Classroom assessment can help instructors become more sensitive to individual students, create more awareness of where understanding is less clear, keep…

Describes a survey of graduate-degree-granting departments of foreign languages, linguistics, and comparative literature designed to investigate the teaching assistants (TA) system. Analyzes the findings of the survey and offers recommendations for a model program of TA training, supervision, and evaluation. (MES)

To explore why teachers rejected videotaping as an observation and coaching method, researchers interviewed 29 teachers enrolled in teacher supervision classes to determine the human and the technical issues involved. About one-quarter of the problems were technical malfunctions and limitations, and the rest resulted from human responses to…