Systematically Investigating Instructor Impact on Student Satisfaction in Graduate Programs

Author(s):  
Megan G. Adams

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate how flexibility impacts student performance and satisfaction in a graduate level course. This example explores how much flexibility can be incorporated without compromising instructor satisfaction. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether student satisfaction and performance increased when the instructor in a graduate level teacher education course increased flexibility in discussion grouping and format and in grading and revisions. The goals of the study were to increase student satisfaction and performance in a graduate level reading education course in a college of education. This was a pilot case study using the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) as a lens. Data collection included survey, focus groups, and interview. A small sample size was used to suit the needs of a pilot, qualitative case study. This work is important for teacher educators as they make decisions about the amount of flexibility they are comfortable incorporating into their courses as well as to model evidence based practices for teachers.

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Reidt ◽  
Keri Hager ◽  
James Beattie ◽  
Amy Pittenger ◽  
Maureen Smith ◽  
...  

This case study describes a longitudinal curricular sequence implemented to teach evidence-based medicine (EBM) skills. The longitudinal sequence is innovative in its approach, design, and assessment of EBM. This approach moves away from the conventional strategy of teaching drug information and drug literature evaluation as stand-alone courses and instead embraces the EBM Framework and its use in the context of authentic problem solving. The EBM Framework—Ask, Acquire, Appraise, and Apply—was used as the basis for defining seven EBM skills. These skills were targeted in the evidence-based, integrated design of 17 learning episodes delivered with eight faculty members through six courses in the first year. Student perceptions of relevance of EBM and performance on assessments and learning activities throughout the sequence suggest that integrating EBM across the first year of the curriculum is an effective strategy for teaching EBM skills. Three themes emerged from analysis of the data and experience, including the need for: a strong teaching team, a whole task approach with a focus on solving authentic problems, and care in interpreting the progression of assessments and patterns of student performance. Through instructor observations and peer review, the longitudinal sequence has been refined and has had an impact on the rest of the curriculum.   Type: Case Study


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Perks ◽  
Doug Orr ◽  
Elham Al-Omari

This case study examines the physical aspects of a particular university classroom, and what affect specific changes to the classroom had on the perceptions of students, instructors and observers regarding the room as an effective learning space. We compare survey and focus group data collected from students taking courses in the classroom prior to changes to the physical environment with comparable data from students taking courses in the same classroom after specific changes had been made. Immediately following changes to the classroom, notable increases were observed in reported perceptions of student satisfaction with the physical environment, including perceptions of the classroom as a more effective and engaging learning space. Similar perceptions of improvement as a teaching-learning space were reported by instructors and observers. However, subsequent follow-up data collection and analyses suggested little if any sustained increase in perceptions of efficacy of the room as a learning space; indeed, most reported variables returned to baseline levels. The implications of these findings and their relevance to classroom design nevertheless may provide insight regarding the manner in which physical space might support or even enhance teaching and learning.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095042222110308
Author(s):  
Teik Aun Wong ◽  
Wei Chieh Cheah

This study examines the practice, outcomes and challenges of a “triple-blend” approach which combines the components of classroom instruction, online facilitation and external exposure. Examining this pedagogical approach provides guidance for improving the delivery of teaching and learning. The study takes a multiple case study approach, employing action research methodology. The authors are practicing lecturers and the five cases, drawn from a private institution of higher education in Penang, Malaysia, have an average of 13.8 students, comprise undergraduate and postgraduate classes, and cover business, social science and humanities disciplines. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons are made between student cohorts. Students’ behavior and performance are tracked using an online learning management system. The findings reveal that the deployment of the triple-blend approach on aggregate produces positive outcomes in terms of student engagement and performance. However, there are instances of negative outcomes, suggesting that other factors are at play apart from the choice of pedagogical approach. Discussion of the challenges in deploying this approach shows that the process is far from homogenous. Nonetheless, the overall perspective indicates a positive relationship between the triple-blend approach and positive teaching and learning outcomes. This study provides guidance for teachers on deployment challenges and best practices.


Author(s):  
Blanche Jackson Glimps ◽  
Theron Ford

Technology is part of our daily lives; we can observe the use of technology in our cell phones and portable computers and, most notably, within classrooms. If used within the proper pedagogical context, computer-aided technology can be quite advantageous to teacher educators whose pedagogical belief is also centered on teaching and learning that is responsive to students’ needs and cultures. When technology is combined with Problem-Based Learning (PBL), it can be a powerful aid to help pre-service teachers build cultural literacy and the skills needed to be responsive to students’ needs. This chapter presents a single case study of the highly successful academic outcomes through the wedding of PBL and technology.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig D. Shoulders ◽  
Sam A. Hicks

This paper describes an approach to teaching intermediate financial accounting employing testing as a teaching and learning tool, not just an assessment tool. Using exams in an analysis-of-diagnostic-exam-driven teaching and learning cycle (ADEPT Learning Cycle), students received feedback on their proficiency on selected topics. The instructor used the results to direct students on corrective steps to resolve deficiencies and to direct targeted, immediate one-on-one tutoring as needed. Students had to complete each diagnostic exam successfully (80 percent grade) before interim exams. The study reports better student performance in Intermediate I for ADEPT students. Student satisfaction indicated on course evaluations also was extremely high. Further, the study reports superior performance in Intermediate II by Intermediate I ADEPT students compared to other Intermediate I students. Finally, 100 percent of “pre-Intermediate I” accounting majors in the ADEPT approach class completed accounting degrees compared to less than 80 percent of other “pre-Intermediate I” accounting majors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-159
Author(s):  
Mikkel Godsk

Abstract This article presents the experiences and results of using a simple learning design for transforming a traditional, large-scale, face-to-face science module in calculus into blended learning where all face-to-face lectures were replaced by webcasts and online activities. The article presents the impact on teaching and learning in terms of how the teacher and the students used the materials and the impact on the students’ performance and satisfaction. The article concludes that replacing face-to-face lectures with webcasts and online activities has the potential to improve learning in terms of a better student performance, higher student satisfaction, and a higher degree of flexibility for the students. In addition, the article discusses implications of using learning design for educational development, how learning design may help breaking with the perception that facilitating blended learning is a daunting process, and, ultimately, its potential for addressing some of the grand challenges in science education and the political agenda of today


2016 ◽  
pp. 1324-1337
Author(s):  
Blanche Jackson Glimps ◽  
Theron Ford

Technology is part of our daily lives; we can observe the use of technology in our cell phones and portable computers and, most notably, within classrooms. If used within the proper pedagogical context, computer-aided technology can be quite advantageous to teacher educators whose pedagogical belief is also centered on teaching and learning that is responsive to students' needs and cultures. When technology is combined with Problem-Based Learning (PBL), it can be a powerful aid to help pre-service teachers build cultural literacy and the skills needed to be responsive to students' needs. This chapter presents a single case study of the highly successful academic outcomes through the wedding of PBL and technology.


Author(s):  
Henry Gillow-Wiles ◽  
Margaret L. Niess

Teaching and learning in a technology rich digital context challenge established thinking about student engagement in their learning. This chapter presents a reconstructed conception of learner engagement for online environments consisting of: engagement with community; engagement with technology; engagement with mathematics content; and an amalgam of all three. This descriptive, cross-case study combines current literature with the authors' past research to develop characterizations of these components of online learner engagement. This reconstructed model of learner engagement is the focus of the study, providing: 1) a vocabulary for developing a narrative describing how teachers as students think and learn with technology in an online environment and 2) a framework for mathematics teacher education professional development. Results indicate that this model supports teacher educators in both describing and evaluating how teachers as learners engage in a unit of instruction, and framing the course design and instructional strategy choices that support learner engagement.


Author(s):  
Kenneth David Strang

This case study reminded researchers of the value in using formal methodologies to gain an objective balanced perspective of actual practice. By using models and survey instruments that gathered objective input from key stakeholders in the higher education market, several of the true underlying factors were revealed. The key instrument used in the case study allowed us to objectively measure if flexible e-learning was at least as effective as campus delivery mode. More so, the assessment was not just performance and not just student satisfaction – instead the outcomes assessed included six factors that were linked to Australian university accreditation: Industry focus, resources/content materials, critical thinking activities, teaching quality, student satisfaction, and student performance (including completion). One of the most interesting aspects of the case study was that we are seeing history in the making to some degree in that as a result of the 2008 global economic crises, the international student market is changing which will force universities to change what and how they offer higher education in the future. More countries (and their populations) in the world are seeking a credible university higher education and they do not always want to travel to holiday destinations to obtain that… the world economic model is changing, continuing to increase the demand for education, yet changing how that product/service must be delivered. Successful higher education institutions around the world are already showing the followers how to do that. This case study provides some ideas and benchmarks for becoming more competitive in higher education, and while the model was developed and used in Australia, likely it can be applied elsewhere since the majority of students feeding into this model and research were international.


2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882096412
Author(s):  
Rui Yuan ◽  
Min Yang

This study aims to explore a teacher educator’s perceptions and practice of translanguaging in his education classrooms as a teacher of English as a medium of instruction (EMI). Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research revealed that the teacher educator used three translanguaging strategies (i.e. integrating academic discourse with everyday discourse, linking verbal and other semiotic resources, and using students’ first language) to create a ‘translanguaging space’ in his EMI classrooms for content teaching and learning. The findings also showed that the teacher educator’s translanguaging practice was both planned and generative, depending on his situated teaching context which presented him with various teaching opportunities and challenges (e.g. students’ resistance and university policy). The study highlights the importance of teacher educators’ reflective practice in their execution and improvement of translanguaging practice in EMI classroom settings.


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