title: Characteristics of effective classroom teachers as identified by students and professionals: a qualitative study.
abstract: This qualitative research study identified criteria for teacher quality preferences as perceived by current and past students. A two-question, open-ended survey asking what qualities learners liked most and least in a teacher/presenter was given to two groups: students (Group A) from medicine, dentistry, and related residency programs; and dentists and physicians (Group B) who had graduated at least three years previously and who attended a minimum of two days of continuing education courses in lecture format each year. A total of 300 subjects provided 2,295 written responses. Descriptive words within the responses were coded and grouped according to similar relationships, resulting in the emergence of twenty-one defined categories that were further refined into three core categories: personality, process, and performance. Results showed that the two groups appear to have different preferences in teacher/presenter characteristics. For Group A (students), the categories of content design, content organization, and content development were at the forefront of their preferences. Group B (professionals) overwhelmingly favored elements of speaker self-confidence and expertise. Both groups highly valued expertise and speaking style. These findings can be used to develop curriculum, enhance faculty members' teaching skills, and plan continuing education programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, New York University College of Dentistry, 423 East 23 Street, 16 North, New York, NY 10010-4086, USA. lj14@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jahangiri
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Mucciolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D018865:Dental Research; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D005179:Faculty, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards