Zeitschrift für Hochschuldidaktik Nr. 1/1999
Internationalization of Austrian Universities
Heiner RINDERMANN (Magdeburg, Deutschland)
What are the criteria of good teaching?
The results of an open questionnaire given to students and instructors
Summary
The phenomenon known as "good teaching" can be analyzed with theoretical models, by research on learning and instruction or through questionnaires completed by teachers and students. Open questionings consider the subjective theories encountered by students and instructors in university instruction. These theories were investigated by means of questionnaires to disclose the characteristics of good instructors and good courses, and to clarify their relevance. The sample consisted of 58 professors and lecturers as well as 58 students from various departments of universities in Munich and Weingarten.
Results demonstrate that both groups considered, above all, didactic abilities such as structuring, adequate topic selection, and setting realistic demands. Additionally they mentioned personality attributes such as friendliness, and social behavior such as cooperativeness and the ability to motivate students. Good courses were defined by good lecturing capabilities. There was a high level of concordance between teachers and students.
The significance and possible effects of these results for university practice and research are discussed.
[ back | order | authors | contents | german |
[home | ZSfHD | ÖGHD projects | links | dates & news | about ÖGHD | search |