Teaching
Typical characterizations of three levels of performance in teaching are provided in Table 6, and that of three levels of performance in university citizenship are provided in Table 7. Such evaluation levels will attract consideration for an excellence award, but do not guarantee an actual award. It is also not guaranteed that the performance evaluations of all Faculty will meet or exceed the lowest level displayed. For each level, the listed characterizations are meant to convey a clear sense of standards; they are not meant to be an exhaustive list or a mandatory check-list. It is recognized that individual cases can bring accomplishments in areas that can’t be listed ahead of time. Likewise, individual cases can sometimes display exceptionally high levels of accomplishment in some matters that outweigh lesser accomplishments in other matters.
Course revision is defined as making a substantial modification to a course such as developing several new laboratory exercises, addition of distance learning options, effecting major change of course curriculum/format, etc. Other information such as written comments from students and Faculty shall be considered when available. Peer reviews and summaries of Student Surveys of Instruction (including student comments) may be submitted. Other relevant teaching material may also be provided for review.
Table 6. Characterizations of Performance Levels for Evaluation of Teaching for Faculty Excellence
|
Performance Level |
Typical Indicators |
|
Excellent |
Develop or lead major revision of courses or labs; excellent supervision of undergrads in Honors theses or Individual Investigations etc., as well as excellent research supervision of graduate students; graduation of PhD or MS students; excellent student reviews; teaching awards or other instructional recognition; instructional grant support. |
|
Very Good |
Revise courses or labs; very good student reviews; effective research supervision of grad students or effective supervision of undergrads in Honors thesis or Individual Investigations etc; instructional grant proposal |
|
Good |
Good student reviews; active in curricular revisions. |
Indications of exceptionally good classroom teaching accomplishments are valued and can come from student evaluations, peer evaluations, or other sources. The exploration of innovative methods to enhance learning such as tutorial groups and other interactive techniques are encouraged and valued. Student advising is an integral part of the teaching mission. Activities and results from curriculum or research advising of undergraduate physics majors and graduate students are important to the Department. Graduation of PhD and Masters students is particularly valued. Supervision of undergraduate majors in Honors Theses and Individual Investigation projects is valued. Instructional development activities that establish a new course or a significant revision of curricular content for a formal class or laboratory class are valued.