Validity and usefulness of student evaluations of instructional quality.

The average of a total of 720 undergraduates' evaluations for each section of a computer programing course correlated positively with the average of student performance on a standardized final examination. Since alternative explanations were ruled out, results support the validity of the student evaluations. Half of the 18 instructors (feedback) were also given the results of student evaluations conducted during the term. Students in the feedback sections later rated their instructors as better teachers, but performed no better on the standardized final examination. Findings suggest student evaluations are valid measures of instructional quality and provide useful feedback to the instructor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)