Quality in Teaching

Someone ask me to write about the quality of teaching in local university. Many people has the perception that the quality of teaching in IPTA is average, not high. I have been involved in teaching various subjects at both undergraduate and postgraduate. I can talk for myself and what I believe in, The quality of teaching as viewed by students (customers) are being evaluated by students every semester for every subject the lecturer teaches, in major aspects including - Teaching Delivery, Preparation, Use of Aids, Quality of Assessment - tests, quizes, exams, etc. Therefore, lecturers (and management) will know how 'good' the lecturer is based on this semesterly evaluation. The evaluation can also be used for promotion, yearly award, best teacher purposes. For example, if I got 4.34 for subject SMM2343, and for that semester the Faculty's average is 4.25, and the university's average is 4.55, then it shows my standing. Individuals can then be ranked based on this students' perception of quality of teaching by the particular lecturer. However, the lecturer's role is to facilitate learning, and if the lecturer gives a 'tough set of question during tests and exams' he or she will normally be given low ratings for assessment, and if a lecturer is 'strict' in terms of grading, class attendence, etc. he or she will normally face the same consequences. These are from my own personal experience.

Quality of teaching is also affected by many other factors such as the availability (and in good working condition of lab equipments, computing facilities to aid in the teaching and learning process. Obviously the lecturer's knowledge is the most important component. I think quality of teaching can also be observed by the level of motivation and commitment shown and expressed during lectures, and in the learning process. And to me, management commitment in the provision of adequate resources, and opportunity for the employee (read as lecturer) to perform well is vital. Same as in any other organization, management must provide the necessary motivation, support, facilities, resources, and monetary rewards for the professors to give his best. ...... It is not easy.... I have not touched on the Islamic perspective. Quality teachers come from the inside... Faith.. Iman.. work for Allah and not for Any other Creatures including man.

Reliability

Quality of data one gets depends on a number of factors. How do you know that a sample of 2 from 2000 over students that you have taught represent a 'true' picture of one behavior. Obviously, 2/2000 is only 0.1% of the population. So, the results surely cannot be conclusive. This is an aspect called sampling and it is especailly important in research, and probably in life as well. So, the next time someone tells you that 'that person' is not up to 'standards' please ask yourself. Is the numberof samples representative, sufficient, valid and reliable. Reliability can be checked thorugh content validity, construct and criterion validity. An one more thing try not to generalise from unfounded figures and 'facts'.