| This mixed-method study seeks to examine differential importance in primary dimensions of effective teaching as perceived by a sample of rural and suburban community college students and to analyze the teaching and learning implications. Students from 4 community colleges (N = 337) were asked to rate 31 descriptive statements which encompass 9 dimensions of effective teaching and respond to one open-ended question, as stated on the Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEM, an instrument developed by Dr. Herbert Marsh, and used with Dr. Marsh's permission. Students considered an effective college teacher they have had in the past or have in the present as they responded. Data analysis included the influence of students' characteristics, specifically, gender, age, and degree program (transfer/non-transfer).; Mean responses and standard deviations were computed and ranked to determine which dimensions community college students perceived to be most descriptive of an effective teacher. To determine significant response differences, Chi square tests of independence were computed for each descriptive statement with the data broken down by each of the following: gender, age, and degree program. Qualitative data were analyzed independently as well as analyzed in relationship to SEEM dimensions.; The quantitative results indicate that rural and suburban community college students rate dimensions related to communication skills highest: Instructor Enthusiasm, Individual Rapport, and Group Interaction, in that order. Conversely, students rated dimensions related to learning and content among the lowest: Learning Value, Breadth of Coverage, and Assignments/Readings, in that order. In examining the influence of student characteristics, significant differences were found in 5 statements for gender, 3 statements for age, and 2 statements for degree program. The qualitative data, analyzed from four perspectives, revealed themes of Caring, Comfort, Communication, and Competence. Consistent with the quantitative data, the top 15 qualitative responses were related to SEEM dimensions Enthusiasm and Individual Rapport. |
