The Task Force on Evaluating Teaching was launched in May 2017 to examine the University’s approach to student course evaluations and consider their place in the overall assessment of both undergraduate and graduate teaching. The Task Force was asked to look at BU’s existing practices – particularly in the context of current national conversations and widely used practices at peer institutions – with the objective of designing a system for teaching evaluation that provides a comprehensive, fair, and accurate picture.
The Task Force worked collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders across the University and submitted its final report to the Office of the Provost in late 2018. We are pleased to share this report with you and invite you to provide feedback on its findings and recommendations.
Chair
Gillian Pierce
Assistant Provost for Academic Assessment, Office of the Provost
Members
Suzanne Chapin
Professor of Mathematics Education, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Terry Everson
Associate Professor of Music, College of Fine Arts
Ray Fisman
Professor of Economics, College of Arts & Sciences
Chris Gill
Associate Professor of Global Health, School of Public Health
Daryl Healea
Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Enrollment Services, College of Arts & Sciences
Roland Jaeckel
Director, Educational Technology, Office of Digital Learning and Innovation
Deborah Jaramillo
Associate Professor of Television Studies, College of Communication
Rebecca Kinraide
Master Lecturer, Arts and Sciences Writing Program, College of Arts & Sciences
Chris Paal
Assistant Vice President and University Registrar
Michael Smith
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Matthew Trevett-Smith
Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Task Force’s Charge
The charge of the Task Force on Evaluating Teaching included the following:
- Gather information about the language and content of current student course evaluations at BU and consider how this content aligns with current research and national conversations on how best to evaluate teaching.
- Revise or re-draft a University-wide course evaluation form with both common content and questions and flexible options for schools, colleges, programs, and departments to tailor the evaluations to their specific needs.
- Make recommendations about the possible participation of graduate programs in student course satisfaction surveys.
- Consider the options for moving to online course evaluations and make recommendations about such a move.
- Draft standard guidelines for administering electronic course evaluations to ensure maximum response rates.