The IDEA Center: Student Ratings of Instruction

Our flagship service, the IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction system, factors out extraneous circumstances, focuses on student learning of 12 specific objectives, and can be administered online or on paper. Research has shown there is no single, correct way to teach. As a result, The IDEA Center tailors each report to fit the instructor's selected learning objectives and offers recommendations for improvement based on our vast national database. In essence, IDEA builds in objectivity — while accommodating the creativity and artistry necessary to facilitate student learning.

What does it do?
Any assessment is only as good as the feedback it provides. The Student Ratings of Instruction system distinguishes itself by soliciting students' feedback on their own learning progress, effort, and motivation, as well as their perceptions of the instructor's use of 20 instructional strategies and teaching methods. In addition, the system surveys instructors regarding their overall goals and highlights for them in the analysis and report.

A focus on learning
The IDEA Student Ratings system looks at instruction in terms of its endgame. Rather than emphasizing teaching style or personality, the IDEA system focuses on student learning and the methods used to facilitate it.

A wealth of normative data
The Student Ratings of Instruction system is unique in its emphasis on using data-driven results constructively. In addition to measuring instructional effectiveness, the system draws upon a wealth of research from The IDEA Center’s growing national database. This crucial comparative data provides a firm basis for identifying strengths and diagnosing areas in need of improvement, while factoring out variables beyond the instructor’s control, such as student work habits, student motivation, and class size.

Useful and constructive reporting
Reader-friendly faculty reports not only summarize teaching success, but also provide insight on how to improve. These reports gain even more currency when combined across classes or years using the Group Summary Report. No other evaluation service offers such comprehensive, longitudinal reporting.

Learn More
Read more about the Benefits of Student Ratings of Instruction
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Sample Forms
Sample Reports
Student Ratings Knowledge Base
Student Ratings Support

The IDEA Center: Student Ratings of Instruction