Toward a Summative System for the Assessment of Teaching Quality in Higher Education.

This study examines various aspects of an effective teaching evaluation system. In particular, reference is made to the potential of Fink's (2008) four main dimensions of teaching as a summative evaluation model for effective teaching and learning. It is argued that these dimensions can be readily accommodated in a Teaching Portfolio process. The Teaching Portfolio initiative that is in use for the Postgraduate Certificate Programme in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at the National University of Ireland Galway is a case in point. The challenges encountered when attempting to develop mechanisms for the summative evaluation of quality teaching are explored, as well as some of the possibilities for their resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]