Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 259, Issue 6 8-10, Copyright © 1990 by American Physiological Society
Lectures in physiology: a three-phase evaluation plan
C. P. Casteel, N. A. Mortillaro and A. E. Taylor
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36688.
The initial phase of a voluntarily implemented multiphasic plan for
improving faculty lectures was completed in 1988 and reported in 1989 [Am.
J. Physiol. 256 (Adv. Physiol. Educ. 1): S3-S8, 1989]. That phase,
conducted by a teaching consultant, included analysis of the teaching
practices of each of seven faculty members. Following lecture observations,
each faculty member received a written critique of his/her teaching, and
individual as well as departmental strengths and weaknesses were
identified. In the 1989 follow-up phase, faculty reviewed the feedback
provided in their critiques and attended a seminar on developing effective
lectures. Each faculty member was again observed during the presentation of
a lecture; the same observation instrument was used in the follow-up phase
as was used in the initial phase. A comparative analysis of the 1988 and
1989 teaching behaviors was completed for each faculty member and for the
whole department. Results indicate that definitive changes had occurred in
teaching methods employed since the initiation of the plan. Additional
recommendations were made and specific target areas for ongoing improvement
were identified.
