Course Evaluations

Abstract

This empirical study examined the association between social work students' ratings of teaching ability and several course, student, and instructor variables. Over 5,000 standardized evaluation forms rating instructors' specific skills and overall effectiveness were collected between 1991-93 at a school of social work in a large urban university. The results showed strong positive relationships between ratings of teaching effectiveness and ratings of skills reflecting course organization, rapport with students, and fair grading. This study supports the legitimacy of student ratings in assessing faculty, and the authors discuss implications for faculty development of the strong relationship between effective teaching and organizational skills.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ann Rosegrant Alvarez

An earlier version of this article was presented at the 41st annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, San Diego, CA, March 1995.