Teaching Methodologies Effectiveness - Essay Example

Scaling Study Saniya Varkhandkar Assignment Academia Research May 29, 2007 Scaling Study Introduction A questionnaire was given to ten of the University of Mumbai to assess the module of contemporary British literature. The aim of the report was to assess the effectiveness of teaching methodologies and also determine the relevance of course material to the students. On a scale of 1 to 5 the students rated the instructor's teaching efficiency and the course content starting from extremely poor at the lower end of the scale and ending at excellent at the other side of the scale. At the same time certain open ended questions induced the students to speak about the changes if any in the course content and the instructor's teaching. Reliability and validity of questionnaire The study is seen to be useful by instructors as feedback about their teaching, by students to select a particular course, and by university administrators for use in employee selection. The questionnaire is reliable in that the students were given the questionnaire at the end of the teaching session. The comments about instructor and course and suggestions about how to improve the course further establish the validity of the questionnaire. The students seem to be in a better position to comment and criticize the course content than the syllabus designers. The students center their attention on how well they were taught and what they learned. So the questionnaire is effective in understanding if the course and the instructor are on the right track: An evaluation often points to problem identification rather than problem solution, and thus should be considered one part of a continuous process of examination, adaption, improvement and evaluation. (Examples and Research on the Use of Questionnaires) Summary and analysis of information The students were asked to determine the appropriateness of the recommended texts and the proposed aims and purpose of the course content. These questions received favorable ratings from the students. Barring a single student all the students found the course content very interesting and relevant. Some of them felt that the course has enhanced their perceptions and developed their skills. Then the students were asked to rate the efficiency of the instructor and his teaching methodologies. Almost all the students rated the instructor very poorly. The report showed that there was lack of enthusiasm in the instructor's way of teaching and he did not provide sufficient illustrations while teaching which made some students lose interest in the course. Also the instructor made little effort in helping the students who had difficulty in the course. The use of aids though helpful was not sufficient in illustrating the course contents. As a result the course was not difficult for those who are expected to achieve higher grades. But for certain students who found the course content very interesting but were not expected to achieve higher grades, the lack of effective teaching methodology made it very difficult to understand the course content. The students were also asked open ended questions as to what changes in the curriculum or the teaching method would be more effective. Almost all of them suggested little or no changes in the course content. But as far as teaching was concerned there were many comments and suggestions. Thus the questionnaire was helpful in pointing out where the weakness lay. It helped in determining the need for a change in teaching methodology and not the course content. A systematic program of evaluation of teaching staff is more than a management information system, because the focus is value, worth, merit, and effectiveness and an interactive communication network among the parties (teaching staff and administrators) is a crucial part of an evaluation program. (Examples and Research on the Use of Questionnaires) Recommendations by students Questions like encouragement of class discussions by the instructor received poor ratings. Similarly use of aids and personal help to students were other areas which needed improvement. The personal comments of the students highlighted these shortcomings and also suggested various ways in which teaching could be an enjoyable process. For instance one student suggested that the use of illustrations will enable to understand the course better. If a concept is demonstrated using sufficient aids, it will further enable in exemplifying the concept. Some students also suggested that the course should be taught in a way that would enable them to take notes easily. The explanations should be suitable at their plane of understanding. Some also spoke of the assessment method as an effective way of teaching. The assignments provided for assessment should be interesting and stimulating. Some spoke of the use of contemporary issues as a means of illustrating certain concepts. In short the entire way of teaching should be such that appeals to the students and makes study an enjoying experience. Further certain students had little or no difficulty in understanding the course content. Students expected to do very well in studies, needed little stimulus. Their main concern was only innovative ways of teaching which would make the course content interesting: If today's teacher is to be useful, so many would argue, she must be a model of a learner; someone who will strengthen in young people by her example, the sense that finding out, experimenting, speculating, is worthwhile and fun; certainly nothing to be frightened of. In an age of unprecedented change - change in knowledge, in technology, in community, in jobs, in relationships - nothing is of greater value than the confidence and the resourcefulness to learn. (Examples and Research on the Use of Questionnaires) Conclusion Thus it is seen that information that was obtained from the students helped in highlighting the concerns of the teaching practice. The questionnaire became an effective way in helping the teachers realize their shortcomings and recognize areas of improvement: If teaching staff are expected to improve their teaching style and behavior, they need alternatives and suggestions about how to improve. (Examples and Research on the Use of Questionnaires) It also helps the instructors realize the way students need to be taught. At the same time it provides innovative techniques to the instructors for teaching. It also helped the administrators or the course designers understand that the course content is appealing to the students. References "Examples and Research on the Use of Questionnaires" 2002. 29 May 2007. Read More