.2008 - Volumen 1, Número 3 (e)
 
       
       
   
The Advantages of Criteria, the Escenciality of Judgement
 
       
    Robert E. Stake  
     
    .Abstract  
       
   

Teaching is much more complex than the formal procedures we have to record its quality. Every instructional quality indicator, be it formal or informal (just as the changing stock market indicators, or as heat waves give way to colder days) are simple, have some use, but there is always the risk of misinterpretation or of over confidence. Evaluations conducted by students and administrative observants are necessary, but are rarely formally validated. Certainly not used for taking individual decisions about teachers. Important decisions about professors should not be based on a simple indicator (or anecdote). We in university campuses have talked sensibly, for a long time, about the quality of teaching, by means of formal language. This type of language is useful when talking about courses and personal development. The problem lies at converting informal language into a profile or score, as well as indication when a professor is due for a raise (or dismissal) based on merit. Most of score based profiles, observation techniques and instructional checklists at universities are in most cases crude, subjective and cause wrongful information (even after being revised and improved). In order to protect teaching staffs, we are ethically obligated to make use several types of information when taking decisions that will affect the staff and general well being of the department. Portfolio revisions as well as the discussion of (teaching) evidence by panels are ways to obtain valid indicator for teaching quality. Educational goals are different for students, teacher, institutions and professions. This diversity cannot be manipulated while promoting quality teaching, but it should be recognized. Teaching staff needs must also be taken into account, as well as different styles and teaching specialties. No teaching style is superior to another.

 
       
    .Key words  
       
   

Professor evaluation, comprehensive evaluation, case study for teacher evaluations.

 
       
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    .Reference  
       
   

Stake, R. (2008). La Ventaja de los Criterios, la Escencialidad del Juicio. Revista Iberoamericana de Evaluación Educativa, 1(3e), pp. 18-28.
http://www.rinace.net/riee/numeros/vol1-num3_e/art2.pdf. Cited (Date).