Effects of student feedback as a method of self-evaluating the quality of teaching

• Student perceptions of teaching are reliable and valid.
• Nearly all teachers discuss student feedback results with students.
• Teachers report changes in teaching because of student feedback results.
• Initial motivation of teachers is related to effects of student feedback.
• Constructiveness of discussion with students is related to effects of feedback.

In many states, schools are now responsible for developing and ensuring the quality of their work. In many places, this process should be controlled by internal evaluation. Although the reliability and validity of student perceptions of teaching are regularly confirmed, the student perspective in the evaluation of teaching is still viewed with scepticism. This study examines the effects of student feedback. For this purpose, 305 teachers who are users of a web-based student feedback system that is available in the states of Berlin and Brandenburg (Germany) were surveyed using a self-designed questionnaire. Using multiple regressions, self-reported changes in teaching can be predicted from existing levels of motivation and the constructiveness of the discussion between students and the classroom teacher. Externally motivated student feedback appears to lead to changes in the classroom as well. The results argue for the integration of student feedback into a school-wide quality management system.