On the Effectiveness of Students’ Evaluative Feedback to University Instructors

Abstract

This review deals with the use of student ratings as feedback to teachers. Evidence suggests that differences in the source and nature of the feedback and in the attributes of feedback recipients partly explain the differential effect which feedback has on teachers. Issues associated with the research design of feedback studies are also surveyed. The review suggests the existence of a minimal effect at best of feedback on instructional improvement at the university level. Suggestions are offered for improving the nature of the feedback.