Extending the Generality of the Qualities and Behaviors Constituting Effective Teaching

Abstract

I surveyed 2 samples of Canadian undergraduates (N = 629) concerning their views of a "perfect instructor." Students identified as many descriptors as they wished; I categorized them into 26 sets of qualities and behaviors. The top 10 categories included: (a) knowledgeable; (b) interesting and creative lectures; (c) approachable; (d) enthusiastic about teaching; (e) fair and realistic expectations; (f) humorous, happy, and positive; (g) effective communicator; (h) flexible and open-minded; (i) encourages student participation; and (j) encourages and cares for students. Of the 26 categories, 24 are akin to those found by Buskist, Sikorski, Buckley, and Saville (2002), reflecting an almost equal emphasis on teaching technique and the student-teacher relationship. These findings offer international support for their categories of effective teaching.Research examining student-centered views of effective teaching has sought to identify both negative and positive attributes of teachers in an attempt to enhance teaching effectiveness. For example, Perlman and McCann (1998) identified students' "pet peeves" about teacher behavior. More recently, Miley and Gonsalves (2003) measured students' perceptions of "annoying teaching habits." * p < .025. * * p < .01. * * * p < .001.

The criteria of effective teaching in a changing higher education context

“…Numerous attempts have been made to identify these characteristics, using a variety of theoretical perspectives, from qualitative and quantitative approaches, from various disciplinary standpoints (McMillan, 2007) and from the student point of view (Vulcano, 2007), but there is no universally accepted definition of effective university teaching (Johnson & Ryan, 2000;Paulsen, 2002;Trigwell, 2001).…”

Faculty Perspectives on Master Teaching in Saudi Arabia: A Preliminary Study

“…Likewise, Keeley et al. (), using Japanese and U. S. students, and Vulcano (), using Canadian students, found similar results.…”

Perceptions of Excellent Teachers: International, HBCU, and Health Professions Perspectives

“…Other researchers have previously found that knowledge and enthusiasm about teaching are key components of effective teaching (Faranda and Clarke 2004;Vulcano 2007;Yair 2008). These two qualities appear to be important for teachers to achieve in their teaching "regardless of educational or geographic setting," (Keeley, Christopher, and Buskist 2012, 386).…”