December 21, 2020
Empowering faculty to demonstrate teaching excellence
As faculty prepare materials to submit for annual evaluation processes and plan teaching for the spring 2021 semester, the Faculty Senate Leadership Council shares some information and resources regarding the evaluation of teaching.
As outlined in Sections C33-C34.2 of the University Handbook, it is important to use multiple data sources for evaluations. Student feedback on instruction is important; however, it should not be the only source of information used to evaluate classroom teaching. The University Handbook states: Data other than student feedback that provide relevant evidence of teaching effectiveness are described in the Effective Faculty Evaluation: Annual Salary Adjustment, Tenure, and Promotion document. Examples include:
- Course materials such as reading lists, syllabi and examinations.
- Special contributions to effective teaching for diverse student populations.
- Preparation of innovative teaching materials or instructional techniques.
- Special teaching activities outside the university.
- Exit interviews, and graduate interviews and surveys to obtain information about teaching effectiveness.
In addition to the University Handbook guidance, the Teaching and Learning Center has numerous resources to help faculty demonstrate teaching effectiveness:
- Demonstrating Your Teaching Excellence: Part I.
- Demonstrating Your Teaching Excellence: Part II.
- Writing Excellent Statements of Your Teaching Philosophy.
- Evaluating Your Evaluations.
We wish you the best as you finalize the fall 2020 semester and look ahead to the spring 2021 semester.