Defining and Enhancing Teaching Quality: A Cross-School Study of Student Perspectives

Project Summary The aim of the project was to explore students' perceptions of high-quality teaching within different subject areas and contexts. Driven by external metrics and the internal high-quality teaching framework, the concept of intellectually stimulating and engaging teaching was a point of focus. Key aspects of high-quality teaching have previously been identified, however there has been less of a focus on what students perceive as intellectually stimulating/engaging teaching and how these perceptions might differ across different subject areas. A three-phase qualitative research project was undertaken across two Schools (Sport and Exercise Science; Public and Allied Health). This included thematic analysis of qualitative comments from the National Student Survey, World Cafe Workshops with students to explore these themes and an observation of a specific teaching session to provide a concrete example. Based on the analysis of the NSS data, three key themes were associated with satisfaction in relation to 'Teaching on My Course'. These included: teacher style; assessment and feedback approaches; and content structure and delivery. These themes were explored in more detail with students during workshops in the different subject areas. Specific teaching approaches that supported interaction and engagement, assessment practice that were associated with intellectual stimulation and key features of the course content were identified. In addition, a supportive learning environment and strong teacher-student relations that provided a psychologically safe space was particularly present for the students in sport and exercise science. The outcomes from the teaching observation re-enforced this further and identified the importance of an open, relaxed and active environment; collaborative tasks and ongoing feedback; and opportunity for Q&A with assessors. Intellectually stimulating teaching is influenced by a combination of pedagogical, relational and structural factors. A teaching resource infographic has been developed to collate the key features that emerged from the current project in relation to these different factors. This can be used as a tool and checklist with teachers to prompt consideration of these features in relation to the specific subject and environment with in which they are working.