Role of University Department Heads in Providing Feedback to the Teachers
Keywords:
feedback, future goal, professional development, quality teaching, research cultureAbstract
This study highlights the critical role of leadership in delivering feedback to educators concerning their instructional practices,
professional growth, and the research environment. Qualitative research with a phenomenological research design was used to
investigate the findings. Utilizing a convenient sampling method, interviews were conducted with three department heads and eleven
teachers from the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Separate semistructured interview protocols were created for both heads and teachers. Thematic analysis was applied to derive the findings. The results indicated that feedback from department heads enhances teachers' instructional capabilities, thereby contributing to quality education. Feedback is provided during staff meetings, and individual discussions are held to address specific concerns. Additionally, department heads foster a research-oriented culture among teachers by facilitating participation in seminars, conferences, and international trips. Teachers reported that while feedback on professional development is offered, there are limited resources and avenues for their professional advancement. Some educators noted that their heads create opportunities for networking through seminars, workshops, and conferences. Furthermore, university faculty face constraints in accessing resources necessary for professional excellence. In situations where resources are scarce, it is imperative for heads to ensure equitable access for all teachers and to allocate resources to affiliated instructors in a fair manner.
References
Ahea, M. M. A. B., Ahea, M. R. K., & Rahman, I. (2016). The value and effectiveness of
feedback in improving students' learning and professionalizing teaching in Higher Education. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(16), 38-41.
Akuegwu, B. A., & Nwi-ue, F. D. (2017). Providing academic leadership in universities in cross
river state, nigeria: assessment of departmental heads' effectiveness. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 3(1), 18-24.
Amelia, C., Aprilianto, A., Supriatna, D., Rusydi, I., & Zahari, N. E. (2022). The principal's role
as education supervisor in improving teacher professionalism. Nidhomul Haq: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 7(1), 144-155.
Arong, F. E. & Ogbadu, M. A. (2010). Major causes of declining quality of education in
Nigeria from administrative perspective: A case study of Dekina local government
area. Canadian Social Science, 6(3), 183-198.
Bennett, J. B. (1990). The dean and the department chair: toward a greater collaboration
Educational Record, Winter 1990, pp. 24-6.
Boud, D., & Dawson, P. (2021). What feedback literate teachers do: An empirically-derived
competency framework. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2021.1910928.v
Brookhart, S. (2008). How to give effective feedback to your students. Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Carless, D., & Boud, D. (2018). The development of student feedback literacy: Enabling uptake
of feedback. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 43(8), 1315–1325. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2018.1463354
Daresh, J.C., Gantner , M. W., Dunlap, K., & Hvizdak, M. (2000). Defining preparation
and professional development for the future. Educational Administration
Quarterly, 38(2), 233-256. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02602930903197883
Fonseca, J., Carvalho, C., Conboy, J., Valente, M. O., Gama, A. P., Salema, M. H., &
Fiúza, E. (2015). Changing teachers’ feedback practices: A workshop challenge. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 40(8). http://dx.doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2015v40n8.4
Ghavifekr, S., & Ibrahim, M. S. (2014). Head of departments’ instructional supervisory
role and teachers’ job performance: Teachers’ perceptions. Asian Journal of
Social Sciences and Management Studies, 1(2), 45-56.
Giamos, D., Doucet, O., & Léger, P. M. (2023). Continuous performance feedback: Investigating
the effects of feedback content and feedback sources on performance, motivation to improve performance and task engagement. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 1-20.
Görün, M., Kayar, İ., & Varol, B. (2018). 360-degree performance appraisal and feedback
system: A study with heads of departments in Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University.
Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 17(4), 1425-1437.
Hattie, J., & Timperlay, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational
Research, 77(1), 81-112. http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/003465430298487.
Hunsaker, P. L. & Hunsaker, J. (2009). Managing People. Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
Jamali, A., Bhutto, A., Khaskhely, M., & Sethar, W. (2022). Impact of leadership styles on
faculty performance: Moderating role of organizational culture in higher education. Management Science Letters, 12(1), 1-20.
Johnson, D. A., & Akpapuna, M. (2018). A pragmatic approach for building motivation to
promote employee creativity and organizational innovation. In B. Wine & J. K. Pritchard
(Eds.), Organizational Behavior Management: The Essentials (pp. 242-273). Hedgehog
Publishers .
Johnson, D. A., Johnson, C. M., & Dave, P. (2023). Performance feedback in organizations:
Understanding the functions, forms, and important features. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 43(1), 64-89.
Kerman, N. T., Noroozi, O., Banihashem, S. K., Karami, M., & Biemans, H. J. (2024). Online
peer feedback patterns of success and failure in argumentative essay writing. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(2), 614-626.
Koka, A., & Hein, V. (2003). Perceptions of teacher’s feedback and learning environment
as predictors of intrinsic motivation in physical education. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 4(4), 333-346.
Kruse, S. D., Hackmann, D. G., & Lindle, J. C. (2020, December). Academic leadership during a
pandemic: Department heads leading with a focus on equity. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 5, p. 614641). Frontiers Media SA.
Latifi, S., Noroozi, O., & Talaee, E. (2021). Peer feedback or peer feedforward? Enhancing
students’ argumentative peer learning processes and outcomes. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(2), 768–784. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13054
Ramsden, P. (2003). Learning to teach in higher education. Routledge Falmer.
Rasheed, M. I., Aslam, H. D., & Sarwar, S. (2010). Motivational issues for teachers in
higher education: A critical case of IUB. Journal of Management Research, 2(2), 1.
Salendab, F. A., & Dapitan, Y. C. (2021). Performance of private higher education institutions
and the school heads’ supervision in South Central Min-danao. Psychology and Education, 58(3), 3980-3997.
Salfi, N. A. (2011). Successful leadership practices of head teachers for school
improvement: Some evidence from Pakistan. Journal of Educational
Administration, 49(4), 414-432.
van de Ridder, J. M. M., Stokking, K. M., McGaghie, W. C., & ten Cate, Th J. (2008). What is
feedback in clinical education? Medical Education, 42, 189–197.
Yang, M. (2023). Supervisory feedback, reflection, and academic discourse socialization:
Insights from an L2 doctoral student's paper writing experience. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 62, 101215.
Wiggins, G. (2012). Seven keys to effective feedback. Feedback for learning, 70(1), 10-
