Using the Results of Teaching Evaluations to Improve Teaching: A Case Study of a New Systematic Process

Abstract

This article describes a new 14-step process for using student evaluations of teaching to improve teaching. The new process includes examination of student evaluations in the context of instructor goals, student evaluations of the same course completed in prior terms, and evaluations of similar courses taught by other instructors. The process has steps to help maximize instructor motivation as well as to help identify good targets for improvement. The article describes as an initial case study the experiences of academics in three disparate fields in using the new process. This initial use of the process led to deeper reflection than usual for the instructors and to ideas for ways to improve their teaching. The results indicate that the new process holds potential as a systematic way of using student numerical ratings and comments to produce plans for improvements in teaching.