Curriculum evaluation

ETH Zurich deploys various methods to evaluate its curricula. A selection of proven methods are described below; the list is growing continually. The ETH Curriculum Development team (the Vice-Rector for Curriculum Development and the Unit for Teaching and Leraning (UTL)) are happy to help you with curricular matters.

The "rating conference"

To evaluate degree programme curricula the Vice-Rector for Curriculum Development and UTL, in cooperation with the respective degree programme, have deployed "rating conferences" since 2018. This method was previously deployed in schools. In rating conferences students or faculty, in groups of ca 15, vote on statements concerning their respective degree programmes and assume positions on them. The results are consolidated in subsequent moderated group discussions. They can be used as a foundation for development of degree programme curricula.

A rating conference takes 1-2 hours. The method has been deployed to revise degree programmes and to clarify the need for revision.

Previous rating conferences (as of May 2019)

Bachelor’s degree programme in Biology: 3 rating conferences involving 35 faculty
Teaching Diploma in Physics: 1 rating conference involving 14 students
Master’s degree programme in Earth Sciences: 1 rating conference involving 12 students
Bachelor’s degree programme in Architecture: 7 rating conferences involving 61 students and 4 faculty

Testimonials

"In rating conferences I experienced students on a very authentic level. They were involved as experts on their own curricula, which enabled them to provide their thoughts on the curriculum in an impartial and sophisticated manner."

Rudolf Krieg, Study programme coordinator, Department of Architecture

"Rating conferences gave us a valid picture of the student perspective on the curriculum. The main strengths and weaknesses of our degree programme crystallised in the discussion."

Dr. Adrian Gilli, Educational Developer, Department of Earth Sciences

"Rating conferences provided a further way for faculty to participate in the project to revise our degree programme. The framework allowed them to reveal problem areas and develop perspectives for the revision."

Dr. Katja Köhler, Educational Developer, Department of Biology

Literature

Keller, H., Heinemann, E. & Kruse, M. (2012): Die Ratingkonferenz. In: Zeitschrift für Evaluation 2/2012, S. 287-298.
Tomforde, E., Volk, B., Barth, P., Vaterlaus, A. (2022): external page Ratingkonferenzen als Evaluationsverfahren in der Curriculumsentwicklung. In: Blickpunkt Hochschuldidaktik 139

Contact persons for interested degree programme organisers

Dr. Benno Volk

Lecturer at the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences

Abt. für Lehre und Lernen
Haldenbachstr. 44
8006 Zürich
Switzerland