Picture: Dr. Addison (centre) with first cohort of students in the SPSS and R workshops I coordinated and facilitated at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The UWI, STA (August 2019)
Since I have lectured cohorts of varying sizes, I use various means to measure the impact of my teaching strategies on their learning.
Student Course Evaluation Feedback is an important gauge I used to gather data-driven insights about my students' year-to-year.
Statistics generated from these reports provide metrics for teacher efficacy based on lecture engagement, course facets, tutorials, labs and practical activities and student perceptions. This feedback is:
Quantitative (Means and standard deviations) -> Ironically metrics I teach in my courses :)
Qualitative (Open ended questions about what students liked Best and Least about the course, with improvements and suggestions.
Here are some snapshots of their feedback in various courses.
Excerpts of Peer Feedback - What do my students have to say about my teaching?
Want to see more? Check out the Student Testimonials:
Quantitative Course Metrics based on Student Feedback for courses previously under my stewardship.
Likert Scaled questions were used for ratings from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest level in terms of student satisfaction.
Overall my
Semester 1 2016 - 2017
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.4
Standard Deviation = .92
The Course:
Mean = 3.6
Standard Deviation = 1.04
Semester 1 2017 - 2018
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.5
Standard Deviation = .75
The Course:
Mean = 4
Standard Deviation = .88
Semester 1 2018 - 2019
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.4
Standard Deviation = .49
The Course:
Mean = 4.3
Standard Deviation = .64
Semester 1 2019 - 2020
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.3
Standard Deviation = .90
The Course:
Mean = 4.3
Standard Deviation = 1.04
Semester 2 2016 - 2017
The Lecturer:
Mean = 5
Standard Deviation = 0
The Course:
Mean = 5
Standard Deviation = 0
Semester 2 2017 - 2018
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.7
Standard Deviation = .47
The Course:
Mean = 4.6
Standard Deviation = .49
Semester 1 2018 - 2019
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.6
Standard Deviation = .59
The Course:
Mean = 4.4
Standard Deviation = .73
Semester 1 2019 - 2020
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.3
Standard Deviation = 1.03
The Course:
Mean = 4.1
Standard Deviation = .76
Semester 1 2020 - 2021
Note: Only 1 student responded to this survey, therefore it may not be a true reflection of the class.
Note: No formal Survey Feedback was received after this semester.
The Lecturer:
Mean = 3
Standard Deviation = 0
The Course:
Mean = 3
Standard Deviation = 0
Semester 2 2018 - 2019
The Lecturer:
Mean = 4.3
Standard Deviation = .97
The Course:
Mean = 3.5
Standard Deviation = 1.26
My general comments: Reflecting on the Feedback
It has been interesting to read the feedback from my students.
I have taken into consideration the strengths they outlined, from my willingness to assist at all times, to my provision of course resources, solutions and other materials to improve their learning.
It warmed my heart to see that most were very appreciative of my dedication as an educator and that meant I did my job.
I also acknowledged the challenges they faced: for instance, the work load of the course and students' complaints' at that time, since the majority were Actuarial Science Students pursuing other heavy courses.
I have been guided by their suggested improvements: for instance, some mentioned that the quizzes were not helpful and I noted that it may have been too many assessments, which would incur added stress.
"All in all, I appreciate their feedback and they are the reason I wake up everday, ready to make the world a better place for them to forge their own paths :) "