This holistic approach better reflects the diverse and varied ways instructors impact student learning.
As part of the university’s strategic plan efforts to support excellence in teaching and learning, the Office of the Provost and the Teaching Effectiveness Task Force have developed updated guidance on the comprehensive assessment of teaching at the University of Iowa.
Developed with input from college leaders, department leaders, and faculty from a wide range of tracks, ranks, and disciplines, the new framework for the assessment of teaching is the culmination of work first started by the ACE Task Force in 2018. The framework establishes that assessment of teaching should be based on at least two sources of evidence and a teaching statement that, when taken together, demonstrate these characteristics:
- Learning-centered teaching practices that are engaging and inclusive.
- Integration and alignment of learning goals, course materials, assignments, activities, and assessment strategies.
- Responsiveness to feedback from students and peers related to supporting student learning.
- Commitment to ongoing growth and professional development as an instructor.
These criteria aim to create a clear understanding across campus of how teaching effectiveness is assessed, and the framework provides more options for instructors to capture and present the depth or quality of their engagement with teaching. The framework identifies six possible forms of evidence, in addition to the teaching statement, which can be used to demonstrate teaching effectiveness. Colleges and academic units can choose which of these sources of evidence to prioritize as most relevant or applicable for their unit.
Additional information about each source of evidence, as well as resources and guidance to help instructors collect and use these materials for assessment of teaching, can be found on the Office of Provost website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will the new framework impact assessment of my teaching?
A: The new framework establishes uniform criteria for the assessment of teaching effectiveness and requires the use of at least two sources of evidence along with a narrative self-assessment. This approach provides a more holistic assessment of teaching practices, recognizing various aspects of an instructor’s contributions to student learning, ultimately benefiting both instructors and students.
Q: Can I choose which sources of evidence to use?
A: Instructors are encouraged to use the sources that best reflect their teaching practices and contributions. While the framework requires at least two sources of evidence, colleges and departments may specify which forms of evidence to prioritize within their units.
Q: How do student ratings fit into the assessment of teaching?
A: End-of-course student feedback is still an option for instructors to use as evidence of teaching effectiveness. A new student feedback system, Student Perceptions of Teaching (SPOT), will replace the previous ACE system in fall 2024. SPOT will be similar to the ACE system in most ways for students and instructors (the questions will remain the same), but will include an updated reporting system and streamlined report access that instructors can access directly through ICON.
Q: Where can I access feedback data from previous semesters for courses that I taught?
A: Instructors can access previous data in ICON from the "Reports" tab of the SPOT feedback system.
Q: How can I collect midterm feedback from my students?
A: The SPOT system includes an optional confidential midterm feedback survey that allows instructors to gather student feedback while the course is still in session. This survey addresses the same topics as the end-of-course survey, providing valuable insights for improving teaching during the semester. The Center for Teaching also offers tools and strategies to collect constructive midterm feedback from students in your course.
Q: What is the timeline for implementing the new framework?
A: The assessment of teaching framework is an ongoing and iterative process that will include annual review and updates based on feedback from the university community. The Office of the Provost in collaboration with the Teaching Effectiveness Task Force is available to support colleges, departments, and instructors in their implementation of the framework, with the goal of having it in place throughout the university by the end of the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.