The role of media use and active learning in higher education: the development of an instrument to determine the dimensions of teaching

The competition fostered in today's environment is demanding increased accountability of collegiate instructors and re-evaluation of traditional teaching methods. Without reliable and valid instructional measurement systems, it is virtually impossible to benchmark new techniques or identify effective instructors. In addition, these measures need to be comprehensive. This research describes the development of a faculty evaluation instrument that incorporates traditional dimensions of teaching with two new educational concepts: active learning and media use. Structural equation modeling is used to assess reliability and construct and discriminant validity. The results confirm the importance of five historically strong components of teaching, as well as support the importance of media use and active learning within an academic environment.