The IDEA Center

These succinct papers were written in collaboration with the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD). As a resource to support teaching improvement, each is useful to anyone wanting to address specific ways to employ different teaching methods – each of which is utilized in the Diagnostic Form of the IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction.

These succinct papers were written in collaboration with the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD). As a resource to support improved student learning , each is useful to anyone wanting to address specific ways to facilitate learning on the following twelve objectives -- which are central to the IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction System.

PDF with a chart that illustrates the correlations between identified learning obectives and corresponding teaching methods. These correlations were derived by analyzing the data from numerous administrations of Student Ratings of Instruction at multiple sites over multiple years:

• Relationship between Teaching Methods and Learning Objectives

This PDF guide provides information to help you interpret your IDEA Diagnostic Form Report. You will find links in each section that provide expanded details about the interpretation of various aspects of the reports and the use of student ratings:

• Interpretative Guide: Diagnostic Form Report

This PDF guide provides information to help you interpret your IDEA Short Form Report. You will find links in each section that provide expanded details about the interpretation of various aspects of the reports and the use of student ratings:

• Interpretative Guide: IDEA Short Form Report

Use IDEA in Conjunction With Additional Sources of Information

IDEA results are used in conjunction with a peer observation, syllabus review and rating conducted by a peer, and/or student comments. Faculty members meet with a peer or faculty development person to discuss how the available information are consistent or not, and what can be done to guide improvement efforts.

Focus First on Strengths

The IDEA report provides a mechanism to facilitate the initial discussion about strengths and improvement. The consultations typically begin with a discussion of strengths, which are highlighted on page three of the IDEA Diagnostic Form Report. Then, ideas for improvement can be discussed.

The following is a PDF version of IDEA Paper 36 on appraising teaching effectiveness:

• IDEA Paper No. 36, Appraising Teaching Effectiveness: Beyond Student Ratings, Hoyt and Pallett

The following is a PDF of IDEA Paper 33 on developing an effective faculty evaluation system:

• IDEA Paper No. 33 Developing an Effective Faculty Evaluation System, Cashin