Science Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness in Major Courses: Basis for Enhancing Course Delivery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19318025Keywords:
teaching effectiveness, student evaluation of teaching, student feedback, science education, science student, course enhancement, higher educationAbstract
Evaluating teaching effectiveness through student feedback has emerged as a critical driver for quality assurance as it is vital in higher education. This descriptive mixed-methods study assessed the teaching effectiveness of major science courses including Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Modern Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Fluid Mechanics in the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Major in Science program to establish an evidence-based foundation for enhancing overall course delivery. The research systematically evaluated student perceptions of the teaching effectiveness across major subjects by combining quantitative numerical ratings with rich qualitative feedback from students. Findings revealed a "Very High" overall level of teaching effectiveness, yielding a Grand Mean of 4.68. However, thematic analysis of the open-ended responses identified critical areas for immediate pedagogical growth. Four distinct emergent themes were identified: Pedagogical Clarity and Real-World Contextualization, Experiential Learning and Active Engagement, Affective Support and Relational Teaching, and Strategic Pacing and Formative Reinforcement. The feedback explicitly indicated a strong student desire to shift away from passive lectures and AI-susceptible take-home worksheets. Instead, students require interactive in-class problem-solving, authentic hands-on laboratory activities, and the direct application of complex scientific formulas to real-world scenarios. The study concludes that while science instructors maintain highly supportive classrooms, science students require strategic instructional pacing to effectively manage the heavy cognitive load inherent in conceptually dense major subjects. To address these, a comprehensive Course Enhancement Plan was developed. The study recommends that implementing these targeted, hands-on interventions will successfully bridge the gap between abstract scientific theories, concepts and practical classroom application.
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