What is it about?

This study explores how students' feedback can help improve teaching quality at a university in Chile, specifically in the Psychology department. We interviewed both teachers and students to understand their views on the feedback process. Key points: 1. Importance of feedback: The study highlights that feedback from students is important for improving teaching methods. Students' opinions help teachers understand what works well and what needs improvement. 2. Interviews conducted: We conducted interviews with a new teacher, an experienced teacher, the head of studies, and a group of five students. These interviews provided insights into how feedback is perceived and used. 3. Positive impact: Teachers generally find student feedback helpful as it guides them on how to enhance their teaching practices. However, there are challenges, such as delays in receiving feedback, which can slow down the improvement process. 4. Need for institutional support: The study suggests that universities should create more opportunities for teachers and students to discuss feedback together. This collaborative approach can lead to better teaching and learning experiences. 5. Continuous improvement: The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of continuous improvement in teaching quality, benefiting both students and teachers.

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Why is it important?

This study has several unique aspects that set it apart: 1. Focus on Psychology department: Unlike many studies that look at general feedback mechanisms, this research specifically examines the Psychology department at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV). This focus allows for a detailed understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within this field. 2. Qualitative approach: The study uses a qualitative case study method, involving semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of participants, including new and experienced teachers, the head of studies, and students. This approach provides rich, in-depth insights into the feedback process. 3. Challenges and recommendations: The research identifies challenges in the current feedback system, such as delays in feedback delivery and the need for more actionable insights. It provides recommendations for creating more agile and inclusive feedback systems that can better support continuous improvement.

Perspectives

From a research methodologist's perspective, this study can be viewed through several key lenses: 1. Methodological rigor: - Qualitative approach: The use of a qualitative case study method is appropriate for exploring in-depth perceptions and experiences. The semi-structured interviews allow for flexibility and depth, capturing nuanced insights that structured surveys might miss. - Sampling techniques: The combination of purposive and snowball sampling ensures that key informants with relevant experiences are included, enhancing the richness of the data. 2. Validity and reliability: - Triangulation: By interviewing a diverse group of participants (new and experienced teachers, head of studies, and students), the study triangulates data sources, which strengthens the validity of the findings. - Expert validation: The use of experts to validate the interview script adds to the reliability of the data collection process, ensuring that the questions are relevant and appropriately framed. 3. Contextual relevance: - Case study focus: The specific focus on the Psychology department at PUCV provides a detailed context that can offer valuable insights for similar departments or institutions. However, the findings may need to be cautiously generalized to other contexts. - Cultural and institutional context: The study is situated within the Chilean higher education system, influenced by the 2018 Higher Education Law. This context is important for understanding the specific challenges and opportunities related to teaching quality and feedback mechanisms. 4. Practical implications: - Actionable insights: The study provides practical recommendations for improving feedback processes, such as creating institutional support spaces and fostering dialogue between teachers and students. These insights can be directly applied to enhance teaching practices. - Continuous improvement: Emphasizing the need for continuous improvement aligns with best practices in educational research, promoting a culture of ongoing development and adaptation. 5. Challenges and limitations: - Feedback implementation: The study highlights challenges such as delays in feedback delivery and the need for more actionable insights. Addressing these issues is critical for the practical application of the findings. - Generalizability: While the case study approach provides depth, the findings may not be easily generalizable to other contexts without considering cultural and institutional differences.

Dr Francesc Martinez-Olmo
Universitat de Barcelona

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This page is a summary of: STUDENT FEEDBACK ON THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: THE CASE OF PSYCHOLOGY AT THE PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE VALPARAÍSO, November 2024, IATED Academy, S.L.,
DOI: 10.21125/iceri.2024.1596.
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