The Process Model of Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT): A Theoretical Framework and Introductory Remarks

Abstract

Student feedback on teaching in schools, conceptualized as information on student perceptions of teaching, is described by many scholars as an effective instrument for the developmental use of teachers and teaching. Beyond that, various studies show that the productive use of this method is a very complex process in which a variety of aspects must be considered. As an introduction to this volume, this chapter presents a model based on findings from different research areas of feedback and school research, called Process Model of Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT). This model follows the steps of the student feedback process, starting with student perceptions of teaching, which must be professionally collected or measured. Subsequently, the teacher perceives and interprets this feedback information, which is linked to cognitive and affective reactions and processes. This can lead to an enhancement of teachers’ knowledge about their own teaching and to the initiation of improvement-oriented actions, finally resulting in improved teaching and development of the teachers’ professional competence. Thereby, characteristics of the organization, the students, and classes as well as the teachers need to be considered. This model serves as a framework for the subsequent overview of the contributions in this volume.

Teacher-student relationship and teaching styles in primary education: A model of analysis

“…The results ultimately show that the heterogeneity of society in terms of cultural capital and gender is replicated in the classroom in the form of students' equally heterogeneous perceptions of the teacher's role. As for the teacher, as potential recipient of the student's feedback, our results emphasize that a better understanding of teaching practice, as developed in the models of student feedback on teaching (Röhl et al. , 2021), requires the analysis of the classrooms’ internal diversity, which means different needs and expectations.…”

“…However, our research does not focus on the quality of the teacher, but on the student's perceptions of the teachers teaching styles, and their perceptions of the teacher's educational and emotional relationship with the student. In any case, the Student Perceptions Questionnaires (SPQ) are a very promising way to collect student's feedback on their teachers' activities in the classroom and to provide teachers with useful feedback for their development (Röhl et al. , 2021).…”

“…Research also shows that perceptions of teachers change according to classroom characteristics (Fauth et al. , 2020) and the student's characteristics (Becker, 1952; Levy and Wubbels, 1992; Brandmiller et al ., 2020; Röhl et al. , 2021).…”

“…The use of student perceptions as a form of feedback is considered to be a very interesting way to gain insight into the teacher's teaching quality (Rollett et al, 2021). However, our research does not focus on the quality of the teacher, but on the student's perceptions of the teachers teaching styles, and their perceptions of the teacher's educational and emotional relationship with the student.…”

Eye tracking as feedback tool in physics teacher education

“…In this study, training with pupils' gaze overlays should provide valid information for feedback, especially since the pupils provide this feedback without their own knowledge. Röhl et al (2021) describe in the "Process Model of Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT)" a circuit diagram of how pupil feedback affects the teacher. The process begins with collecting and measuring pupil perceptions, which are then reported back to the teacher.…”