Introduction In 2014, the University at Buffalo (UB) embarked on a mission to revolutionize its approach to evaluating teaching effectiveness by introducing the Universal Student Evaluation of Teaching (UBSET). In doing so, UB sought to measure if eleven particular questions (six course-oriented and five instructor-based) derived from the 32-item Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ), …
How to Promote Metacognition
First, we need to ask the question, what is metacognition? Metacognition refers to the cognitive processes that involve thinking about one’s own thinking. It involves being aware of and understanding one’s thought processes, knowing what one knows, and being able to regulate and control cognitive activities. In simpler terms, metacognition is the ability to reflect …
New Year, New No-Stress Semester
The start of a new year is often met with excitement, while the start of a new semester has its fair share of stress for both students and faculty. Whether you’re hitting the books or leading the class, finding ways to manage stress is crucial for a successful and positive academic experience. Here are some …
Tackling Online Course Retention Challenges
In the realm of higher education, the surge of online courses has presented a unique set of challenges, particularly concerning student retention. While online learning offers flexibility and accessibility, it has also unveiled significant hurdles in keeping students engaged and motivated until course completion. With distance learning set increase in the next decade it’s worth …
Benefits of promoting faculty diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords in higher education—they are essential for creating a rich and vibrant academic environment. In recent years, universities have made significant strides in recognizing the value of a diverse faculty. However, challenges persist, and addressing them is critical for recruiting, retaining, and supporting faculty members from all backgrounds. In …
Navigating the Challenges of Faculty Recruitment and Retention
Recruiting and retaining top-notch faculty staff is a critical challenge for universities today. The success and reputation of an institution largely depend on the quality and dedication of its faculty members. However, the competition for talented educators is fierce, and once they’re on board, retaining them can be equally challenging. Thankfully, there are strategies for …
Translating change into success: KPIs
Measuring the success of college courses after analyzing the feedback from course evaluations is incredibly important, as it allows professors to make valid improvements to their courses. The first step to measuring the success of a college course, is to understand the course objectives. Next, you should consider key performance indicators (KPIs) to establish new …
How Artificial Intelligence Can Boost Your University’s Effectiveness
Universities have increasingly embraced new technologies in the realms of academic and administrative processes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is proving to be an effective tool to carry out complex tasks more efficiently and with greater accuracy than human intervention. While some are wary of automating certain processes, the advantages of incorporating AI to handle institutional research …
“Future proofing” your faculty: professional development
Developing faculty members into better professors is one of the most important roles of any university. It is important to create and maintain engaging and meaningful professional development plans to ensure that faculty members have the necessary skills to teach college students. The role of faculty members at universities is far more complex than many …
Unlocking Student Voices: How to Supercharge Course Evaluation Response Rates
Course evaluations are a valuable tool for instructors and institutions to gather feedback and make continuous improvements. However, low response rates can render that valuable feedback useless. Instructors often wonder how they can encourage students to actively participate and provide honest answers to their surveys. So let’s explore three effective strategies: ensuring confidentiality, offering incentives, …