Research tells us that teaching effectiveness improves when instructors discuss their evaluation results with someone else. Consider structuring an opportunity for all TAs to discuss their evaluation results with a supervisor or a peer.

The following three-meeting structure has been proven especially effective. Although it is not necessary for the TA to share specific student rating information, all conversations about student evaluations should be confidential.

First meeting (15-30 minutes–conducted soon after TA receives evaluation results)

Ask the TA the following questions: (This can be facilitated by giving the TA some of the questions in advance)

• What aspects of the ratings surprised you?
• Pick one or two evaluation items on which you were rated highly or were pleased about your rating. Which specific teaching behaviors do you feel contributed to high ratings in this area?
• What did students identify as aspects of your teaching which need improvement? Do you agree? How important are these aspects of teaching in your area? Which teaching behaviors do you feel contributed to lower ratings in this area?
• Based on student ratings and your own assessment of your teaching strengths, weaknesses, which one or two items would you like to target for improvement?
• Brainstorm strategies for improvement.
• Ask the TA to think about the strategies you discussed and select one or two that s/he feels would have a positive influence on her/his teaching by the second meeting.

Second meeting (15 minutes–conducted before subsequent term begins)

Learn not only what the TA will try but when and how this strategy will be used and why it has been selected. Also discuss methods for assessing whether the changes are working. Set a third meeting for early in the term to discuss how things are going.

Third meeting(15 minutes–conducted 2-5 weeks into the term)

Discuss the strategies which have been tried and their success. Provide positive reinforcement whenever possible. If some strategies didn't work as well as expected (and that is to be expected), provide reassurance. Brainstorm possible reasons that things didn't go as expected and discuss ways of altering the strategy that might make it more effective. Also ask if there are other strategies the TA would like to try. (This follow-up meeting can be conducted by e-mail or telephone, but follow-up of some kind is an essential component for effecting change.)