Characteristics of Effective Teachers: A Descriptive Study of the Perceptions of Faculty and Deaf College Students

We designed and administered rating and ranking instruments to examine the perceptions about teaching characteristics held by administrators, academic department chairpersons responsible for evaluating teaching, instructional faculty, and deaf college students. The differences in perceptions found between supervisors and teachers about characteristics of effective teaching indicate a need for ongoing dialogue. In addition, teachers and deaf college students were found to differ in their views of the importance of certain characteristics, and we suggest teachers discuss these perceptions with students. We also recommend additional research on particular characteristics of effective teaching.