Find inspiration for different methods for oral teaching evaluation in both small and large teaching groups.
Create a safe environment in oral evaluation
Students may feel more comfortable participating actively in the evaluation if they are given the opportunity to discuss the evaluation questions in pairs or small groups, rather than responding individually.
Methods for small teaching groups
Plenary dialogue
The Plus/Minus method
The Delphi method
Reference group discussion
Fishbowl feedback
Two stars and one wish
Mini-interviews in pairs
Methods for large teaching groups
Question cards
Temperature check
The Plus/Minus method
The Delphi method
Stop–Start–Continue
Plenary dialogue
Purpose: To facilitate an open discussion with the whole class about what is working well and what can be improved.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 15 minutes for the evaluation
Ask 2–3 open-ended questions and let the students discuss them in pairs or small groups
Invite everyone to contribute in plenary, for example group by group
Summarise and explain how you will follow up
The Plus/Minus method
Purpose: To obtain honest feedback without the lecturer being present.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 20 minutes
Explain the method and let the students discuss 2–3 open-ended questions
Leave the room for approximately 10 minutes
Students write strengths (+) and weaknesses (−) on the board, including suggested solutions
Review the points and discuss possible improvements
The Delphi method
Purpose: To identify what the majority of students agree on.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 15 minutes
Ask students to write one positive and one critical comment
Let the notes circulate, allowing others to tick the statements they agree with
Collect the notes and share the conclusions with the class later
Reference group discussion
Purpose: To gain deeper insight from a representative group.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 20 minutes during teaching time and around 20 minutes with the reference group
Appoint 3–5 students to form a reference group
Let them discuss the questions with the class and present their conclusions to you
Share the results with the entire class
Two stars and one wish
Purpose: To make feedback constructive and balanced.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 20 minutes
Ask students to note down two things that work well and one thing that could be improved
Let groups share and discuss their input
Summarise and explain how you will use the feedback
Fishbowl-feedback
Purpose: To encourage reflection through a structured discussion.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 30 minutes
Present 2 open-ended questions
Ask students to sit in an inner and an outer circle
The inner circle discusses one question at a time – the outer circle listens
After approximately 10 minutes, the outer circle summarises
Swap places and repeat
Conclude with a joint summary
Question cards
Purpose: To structure the dialogue and encourage more voices to contribute.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 20 minutes
Prepare cards with evaluation questions
Students draw cards in groups and discuss them
Summarise in plenary
Temperature check
Purpose: To gain a quick indication of the overall mood.
How to do it:
Set aside approximately 15 minutes
Create a physical scale in the room (e.g. “strongly agree” → “strongly disagree”)
Ask students to position themselves on the scale for each statement
Invite 2–3 students to explain their choice
Summarise the key points
Mini-interviews in pairs
Purpose: To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reflect.
How to do it:
Set aside 15–20 minutes
Ask students to interview each other for 2–3 minutes
Collect key points in plenary
Stop–Start–Continue
Purpose: To generate concrete and action-oriented suggestions.