Self Evaluatation as a Method of Improving Teaching Practice at the University of the Witwatersrand

[摘要] This research report investigates the relationship between critical self-evaluation andimproved teaching practice. A sample of nine lecturers at the University of theWitwatersrand were identified, and, by means of a questionnaire and semi-structuredinterviews, participants were asked to disclose their attitudes towards performanceevaluation as a practice at the University, and their personal views in relation tocritical self reflection. Critical reflection involves an appraisal of that which is beingreflected upon. When such appraisal involves assumption or presupposition, it 'holdsmajor potential for effecting change in one’s established frame of reference(Mezirow, 1998). This reflection leads to improved teaching practice. Lecturers at theUniversity all support the notion of self-evaluation, but in practice only one of the nineparticipants actively and critically reflected upon his teaching. Most of the subjectssanction self-evaluation as a concept, do not practise critical reflection. The reasonsfor this are numerous as the conclusions to the study reveal, but most significant isthat lecturers do not see any reason to reflect upon their own performance, nor seeany benefit in doing so.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand