Untangling Constructs on Characteristics of Effective Teaching from a Higher Education Institution: Basis for Effective Teaching Program
The need of skilled workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century puts teaching effectiveness to the forefront of higher education policies. Therefore, the current study explores the Characteristics of Effective Teaching (CET) as observed by the students from a higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates. The study employed a descriptive survey method wherein qualitative analysis of data was used. The respondents (N=199; 121 were females and 78 were males) are registered in General Education courses using a pre-constructed interview schedule. The 69 CETs had been ascertained by qualitative method through axial coding of general themes in order to come-up with recommendations pointing to Effective Teaching Program (ETP). The dominant characteristics of effective teaching as perceived by the student respondents were 21 items with “helpful” topping the list, followed by “knowledgeable,” “friendly,” “organized,” and “flexible.” Six classifications were derived from clustering the CET, namely: buddy type, accommodating type, cool type, academician type, techie type, and non-biased type. The major findings reveal that the three important elements of effective teaching as perceived by students are academic qualification, attitudes, and skills. Specific recommendations to ETP are also introduced in the paper to strengthen the quality of teaching effectiveness.