USING STUDENT FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE TEACHING: A Reflection

摘要

The use of SEC and SET in tertiary institutions to assess academic performance is widespread, and mandatory in some Australian universities. However, a lot of controversy exists about the practice. In this position paper, we argue that SEC and SET should be used mainly as a means to solicit constructive feedback for the improvement of course and teaching. We believe the current SEC and SET surveys in some Australian universities should be better designed, more carefully administered, interpreted, and used with caution. In particular, over-stressing interestingness of lectures and ignoring the quality of learning outcomes in the surveys should be re-considered in survey design. We propose strategies to help maximize the positive effects of SEC and SET on good teaching.