This document: Version: 1.3 (April 20, 2001)
Previous documents: Version 1.2, Version 1.0

Assumptions / Statements:

  1. This document will undergo mandatory review after the first merit period in which this framework is used for faculty excellence.
  2. The measures detailed in this document will be applied to each course taught during the faculty excellence period.
  3. The average of these scores will then be used for faculty excellence calculation.
  4. The maximum points that can be obtained for each course is limited to 150 (even though, theoretically, one can get 185 points).

Measurement Metrics

This section concerns primarily with ways in which we can objectively (not necessarily numerically) measure teaching effectiveness.

1.      Student Evaluation of Instruction (50 points)

a.      In this category, item 21 will always be included in the composite score, but the faculty member can choose up to 5 additional items to form the composite score. The composite score will be the average of the items chosen. The points from this category will depend on the following scale:

                           i.      1.00—2.25: 50 points

                         ii.      2.26—3.50: 30 points

                        iii.      3.51—4:75: 15 points

                       iv.      4.75—6:00: 0 points

b.       In collecting evaluations, we must consider the validity of the sample information. As identifying the relevant student body is a non-trivial task, as a first step, we will use the following approach:

                           i.      Ensure that at least 60% of those enrolled turn their evaluations in, or

                         ii.      Explain how the evaluations collected are indeed relevant.

c. In the event that SEI are not available (as can happen when there are less than 6 students in a class), the following options will be considered:

2.      Evaluations from former students and their employers (15 points): Examples include comments and evaluations from students, letters from employers, etc. Any relevant form of evaluation will be given full credit.

3.      Peer Evaluation (15 points): As a first step, any form of peer evaluation will be rewarded with the full 15 points. In addition, the faculty doing the peer review will get 15 points for each course reviewed.

4.      Other measures. None identified so far (March 25, 2001).

Course Development

Under this section, the following teaching/course related activities would be rewarded:

1.      New courses developed (25 points). Note that we sometimes use old course numbers for new courses, in which case, it should be considered in this category.

2.      New course preparation (15 points).

3.      Major revision of an existing course (10 points). Any significant revisions to existing courses, will be considered here. If the revisions are significant enough to consider it as a new course, it should be considered under new courses developed.

Innovation

Some examples in this category include:

1.      Changing teaching formats (15 points): For example, going from a lecture setting to one of cases.

2.      Using different methods of delivery (15 points). Say, using multimedia lectures.

3.      New testing methods (10 points). Different forms of evaluation.