Critiques a 1982 research report which related college students' emotions, course grades, and faculty teaching evaluations. Maintains that the design contained several limitations which impugn the validity of the conclusions drawn. (JDH)

High and low performance students were found to perceive effective teaching characteristics differently. Therefore, the intended use of evaluations, for feedback or administrative decisions, should dictate data analysis methods. For example, when evaluation data are to be used as feedback, consideration needs to be given to the student performance…

Results of several studies indicated that positive student evaluations of psychology courses that used a personalized system of instruction (PSI) were not due to final grade effect. Students rated the PSI courses highly throughout the courses. (CS)

Investigates the stability of college student ratings of course, instructor, course characteristics, and instructor characteristics across time; compares ratings across time to ratings at a given time; and considers as a result of these analyses how useful ratings are to students in selecting courses. (Author)

Because student evaluations of teacher performance are often used in salary and promotion decisions, it is important that they are not influenced by student and course characteristics that are beyond the control of the instructor. This article investigates correlation of course and student characteristics and whether student responses on general…

Introduces a method for reducing the subjectivity of class participation grades. Suggests the use of a combined peer/professor approach is beneficial and can be acceptable to students. Lists a number of variables which impact upon the activity while accenting the usefulness of the procedure. (KO)

Reports that a goal and item analysis of eight history and systems of psychology textbooks and their accompanying test item files showed that the majority of the essay test items are too narrow in scope to measure the commonly stated course goals. Presents some integrative and goal-relevant essay questions to rectify this shortcoming. Includes a…

A readability comparison of psychology, sociology, and physics introductory textbooks from the years 1860 to 1913 and 1963-1969 was made to discover if psychology has become as "difficult" ("scientific") as physics. (JH)

Student ratings of college teaching from peer ratings of 20 personality traits showed students respond best to a teacher who is friendly, fair, and flexible, if he has definite goals and can take the initiative in class. (Author/JR)

Discusses a study undertaken to assess the effect of graduate student teaching assistants on undergraduate students' attitudes toward psychology in an introductory psychology laboratory course. Findings indicated that good TAs convey more positive feelings about the labs than do poorer TAs. (DB)

Describes a matrix that depicts the relationships between desired perspectives, skills, knowledge, and attitudes and an undergraduate psychology curriculum. Expounds that the curriculum matrix is a useful tool for representing the coverage of specific material in the individual courses offered within the overall curriculum. Provides a blank…

We describe a model for new and senior faculty members, integrating a behavioral approach to enhancing teaching skills with research from the field of positive psychology on virtues and character strengths. The Teacher Behaviors Checklist (Keeley, Smith, & Buskist, 2006) identifies target behaviors amenable to modification, derived from…

We developed a computerized game designed around principles shown to improve classroom performance and experience: multimedia, practice testing, vivid instructional techniques, and in-class participation. Students compete as 2 teams, and the game plays like Jeopardy meets Hollywood Squares with learning outcomes. Our evaluation indicated that the…

Previously, psychology instructors have used popular music to illustrate psychological concepts in the classroom. In this study, students enrolled in a personality theories class heard 13 popular songs that demonstrated various concepts. Students then selected and analyzed their own songs that contained elements of personality theories. Test…

Uses a seven point Likert scale to examine the relationship between perceived teacher attractiveness, expertness, and trustworthiness and student judgment of teacher effectiveness. Correlations suggest that a more accurate view of teaching may be as an instance of social influence process. Urges further research to identify those cues that infer…