Students ’ Perceptions of the Teaching Evaluation Process

A 51-item questionnaire was developed to survey students regarding their perceptions of the teaching evaluation process. The questionnaire was then administered to 116 undergraduates. Results indicated that although students were uncertain regarding the uses made of teaching evaluations, they nevertheless reported taking the opportunity to evaluate their professors seriously. This article summarizes the students ’ responses in detail, and argues that the purposes of teaching evaluations need to be made clear to students. Their apparent lack of knowledge may contribute to the cynicism which they--and perhaps the public at large--feel toward the work university professors are doing as teachers