Characteristics of a Good University Lecturer According to Students.

Background and purpose: University lecturers are of great importance in education and achieving desired objectives so, recognizing the characteristics of a good university lecturer can promote quality of education. Higher education centers have used many methods for defining these characteristics. One of the most common methods is considering the students' viewpoints. This study was designed to determine the characteristics of a good university lecturer based on the students' point of view in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 students in faculty of paramedics, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2012. To collect the data, a questionnaire including demographic variables and factors influencing the evaluation of university lecturer was used. Results: According to the results the most important characteristics of a good university lecturer included rhetoric, efficient teaching skills, age, scientific expertise, interest in teaching, critical acceptance, and using information technology. The least important traits were solving students' problems, friendly relationship with students, interest in research, doing joint research with students, and accessibility of lecturers. This study showed that, the concept of teaching methods was more important to female students but no significant differences were found between other dimensions among male and female students. Conclusion: This research found rhetoric, efficient teaching skill, and scientific expertise of university lecturer as the most influential factors in their evaluation. Therefore, it is necessary to consider these factors when recruiting university lecturers. Afterwards, in-service training on teaching methods and effective communication methods should be provided to enhance status of education. Moreover, personal traits of university lectures can increase the students' motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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