Course Evaluations: Teacher buy-in and
implementation at a High School.
Gary Carpenter, High School X
EDLD 655 University of Oregon, March 2012
Advantages to End Of Course Evaluations
Introduction
What is a course evaluation? In simple terms it is a questionnaire. A
process that allows students to provide feedback to instructors that in
turn can be used by the teacher as a tool to improve the quality of their
instruction. While in some forms course evaluations could be reviewed
by other students, parents, patrons or administrators. In this case, the
use will be solely for the review and professional development of the
teacher.
Easy to do.
High response rate.
Gives immediate feedback to teachers.
Events are in recent pass so students have good recall.
Can be presented to Parents and Students alike to let them know
this is a tool that is in use. “Positive press”.
Assists in the ongoing culture of the building that students and their
ideas and achievement “matter” to the adults in the organization.
Objective
To obtain staff buy-in to a school-wide course evaluation model that will
allow teachers to obtain and review feedback from students regarding
their perceptions of a given course. As the diagram shows below, step
one will be to introduce the concept to the H.S. Leadership Team. The
primary focus will be to provide a brief introduction and alleviate the fear
that these will be somehow viewed by Administrator or used as a part of
the formal evaluation process of teachers. If and when initial buy-in can
be created the idea will be presented at a staff meeting and staff we be
made aware that more detailed thoughts could be discussed at
upcoming Department Meetings.
Enhance the Education of our students.
Course Evaluations can support the Professional Development of
our teachers.
Disadvantages of Course Evaluations
Student responses can lack perspective.
Even when asked to evaluate teaching or specific lessons, students
instead often evaluate whether they like the subject matter.
Timeline & Process
Discourages innovation, because students usually rate higher the
teaching formats they’ve seen before.
Present Course Evaluation
objective and information to
H.S. Leadership Team-get
feedback-create buy-in.
Takes time and energy to implement, complete and evaluate.
Budgetary Impacts
Outcomes
The “desired” outcomes of this endeavor will be discussed early in the
planning stages. Our desired outcomes, once established and agreed
upon, should provide the foundation for the implementation of the
course evaluations and the ensuing evaluation of their impacts or
usefulness. From an administrative standpoint my desired outcomes
would include:
An avenue is created for some of our best students (students whose
feedback teachers may place more value on) to provide feedback to
teachers that they may find useful.
Teachers utilize information gained from course evaluations to assist
in the ongoing adjustment of activities conducted in a course.
A tool is created that allows us to promote to students and parents
alike that this is something in use here at “High School X”, and is
another avenue in which we ask for feedback and input on an ongoing
basis.
Eventually the results are something that teachers will feel
comfortable talking about with other teachers in Dept., and or PLC
meetings.
The outcomes that teachers hope to acquire may be slightly different.
Prior to developing an actual evaluation tool these desired outcomes will
be clearly identified. The outcomes should be measureable and be the
guiding force of our evaluation tools/strategies.
Sample Survey
Dept.
DiscussionsFeedback
Dept.
DiscussionsFeedback
Dept.
DiscussionsFeedback
1. Course Name: __________________________________
Dept.
DiscussionsFeedback
On-line e.g. (survey monkey)
Paper and Pencil (in-class)
End of Course evaluations from current students
Share Concerns-Feedback
from staff at Leadership
Mtg.
2. Why did you choose to take this course? (Circle one): Required-Fits my
interests-Heard the teacher was good-Fit my schedule-Other
4. What is your overall GPA?:
6. The teacher was available outside of class to meet: True
False
7. Expectations were clearly outlined in the syllabus:
False
Mid-Course evaluations
9. What was your favorite activity in the course? Why?
Do not implement the plan
10.What was your least favorite activity in the course? Why?
12.The course description accurately reflected the content: True
False
13.The classroom atmosphere was conducive to learning: True
False
a. Very uninvolved
c. Enthusiastically involved
For further information, please contact Gary Carpenter @
gcarpenter@fernridge.k12.or.us
POSTER TEMPLATE BY:
www.PosterPresentations.com
This would not be implemented as an any form of teacher
evaluation.
There are disadvantages to course evaluations
This goal does align with building and district goals around improving
instruction and increasing student engagement in their education.
The timeline/process for approval/implementation should not take
too long.
Mr. Mickey Mouse: “I have been using course evaluations for 20 years
and I find it tremendously useful to get feedback from some of my top
students.”
Mrs.Minnie Mouse: “There is nothing more valuable than hearing from
my students what worked from then and what didn’t.”
•student, R. F. (n.d.). The Evaluation of Teaching . College of Arts and Sciences &
Conservatory of Music - Oberlin College. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from
http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/dstyer/EvaluationOfTeaching.htm
14.Rate your level of involvement in the activities in this course: (Circle one)
Contact Information
There is no significant budgetary impact.
References
11.What could be done to improve this course?:
b. Somewhat involved
Draft plan shared with staff
for feedback and approval.
True
8. Do you feel there should be a prerequisite for this course?:
Sub-Comm –Leadership
Team develops draft plan
Evaluation will need to be ongoing and continual.
5. What is your current grade in school? (Circle one): 9th 10th 11th 12th
Evaluation surveys from course alumni
Include parents
As with all change, staff buy-in will be critical to success.
Testimonials from current teachers that use them
3. What is your expected grade in this course? (Circle one): A B C D F
Dept.
DiscussionsFeedback
Conclusions
Some teachers here at H.S. “X” already use them
Course Evaluation (Sample Questions)
Options
While there will be no staffing or “hard costs”, there will be some “soft
costs” in regards to some time at meetings to plan and some time for
teachers to organize and review the data.
There are many samples already developed to choose from.
Some teachers may be negatively impacted by taking the “negative
comments” made by students to heart.
Present Framework to
all staff at staff
meeting
.
Implementing
a school wide course evaluation system should have little,
to no impact on the budget. All pre-planning and on-going evaluation of
the process will be done within the H.S. Leadership Team regularly
scheduled meetings. Depending on the type of course evaluations
used, on-line or paper and pencil, there may be some small incidental
costs that will be covered from the Office of the Principal Account.
•Course evaluation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Course_evaluation
•Course Evaluation Methods: 8 tips + 42 methods + 12 links. (n.d.).
Active Reviewing Guide: how to facilitate active learning. Retrieved
February 8, 2012, from http://reviewing.co.uk/evaluation/methods1.htm