Michaelmas and Lent Term Teaching Surveys 15-16
Class/Seminar
There were a total of 49968 responses to the combined Michaelmas and Lent Term class/seminar surveys for the academic year 15-16.
The overall score for all teachers across the School for the question: “In general, how satisfied have you been so far with the class teaching on this course by this teacher?" was 1.69.
Over the whole school 85.7% of respondents were very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the class teaching.
Lecture
There were over 25,000 responses to the lecture survey in 15-16.
In total, 83.8% of respondents reported being "very satisfied' or fairly satisfied” to the question “Overall, how would you rate the performance of this lecturer?” Only 3.4 % showed some dissatisfaction.
The overall score for "lecturer performance" for all teachers across the School was 1.73.
Permanent Staff
There were over 18,000 responses to the class/seminar surveys for permanent staff. The average score for the question “In general, how satisfied have you been so far with the class teaching on this course by this teacher?” was 1.63 (on a five-point scale with 1 being ‘very satisfied’). Only 3.5% of students indicated dissatisfaction with any of their class/seminar teaching, and 87.4% were satisfied/very satisfied.
There were over 21,136 responses for permanent staff to the lecture survey. The average score for the question “Overall, how would you rate the performance of this lecturer?” was 1.71. 3.4% of students indicated dissatisfaction with at least some of the lecturing, while 83.8% were satisfied/very satisfied.
Graduate Teaching Assistants
There were over 31,000 responses to the GTA Class/Seminar Survey. The average score for the question “'in general, how satisfied have you been with the class teaching on this course by this teacher?” was 1.72 (where 1 is 'very satisfied').
4.6% of students indicated dissatisfaction with some of their class teachers and 84.7% were satisfied or very satisfied.
What happens with the Results?
Teachers with low scores
First of all, there is detailed consideration of their feedback. The Head of Department considers their scores and explores what issues there may be with both the teacher and the course. The Teaching and Learning Centre staff can observe sessions and offer guidance. Teachers may be directed to a voice coach or to the Language Centre to join the English for Teaching Purposes programme, and may also be given mentors.
GTAs with poor scores in Michaelmas term are surveyed again in Lent.
High scores
The School also notes very good scores and these can result in teaching prizes for GTAs and permanent staff, and in extra increments for permanent teaching staff.