STUDENT EVALUATION OF TEACHING IN AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY ‐‐ STAFF PERCEPTIONS AND REACTIONS

At the University of Queensland staff have had the opportunity since 1982 to make use of a standardised questionnaire to students to get feedback on their teaching. The questionnaire was developed and is organised in such a way that it may be used in promotion applications, as evidence of teaching ability in the annual appraisal of probationary staff by the head of department, and for personal feedback. After one year of operation interviews were held with all those who had used the questionnaire. Their attitude to evaluation of teaching was overwhelmingly positive and differed sharply from the way they perceived their department's and the University's attitude to be. Staff, on the whole, acted on the feedback received from their students by changing the course organisation and content, aspects of classroom teaching or their attitude. Many felt more confident about their teaching as a result of the evaluation, and for many the questionnaires were the only source of feedback and encouragement.