Factors Affecting Student Evaluation of Teacher Performance at the Health and Nutrition Faculty in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 2011

Evaluating academic members by students is carried out to determine their success rate in achieving educational goals. The purpose of this study was determining the students’ viewpoint about affecting factors on evaluating teachers at the health and nutrition faculty in the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. This analytic descriptive study was conducted by the participation of all the students who were studying at the second semester or higher at their education program in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 2011. A questionnaire, containing demographic data and some factors influencing on teacher evaluation including effective teaching skills (7 questions), faculty members’ personal characteristics (16 questions), student’s personal characteristics and attitudes towards the lessons (6 questions), was distributed among the students before the beginning of the lecture at the classroom. The questionnaires were collected and the data were analyzed using t-test, Leven and Friedman statistical methods. Results showed that from the viewpoints of the students, the proficiency of the teacher on the course (98.2%), teacher ability in conveying concept (91.3%), personality (89%), good manner (87.3%), the way of teaching and organizing (85%), have high and very high influence on evaluating teacher. Also, student’s other viewpoints have low and every low impact on assessing teacher. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between the gender and field of study with teacher evaluation score. There was no significant relationship between native and nonnative status, grade point average with teacher evaluation score.  The results of this study indicated that academic capabilities (such as academic proficiency and providing new and updated scientific information on the course subject) is one of the most important factors influencing teacher evaluation outcomes. Moreover, it seems that besides teaching methods, teacher personality could promote student enthusiasm and motivation for learning as well which ultimately improves the quality of education.