Evaluation of Curricula
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.
![rating conference setup](/en/the-eth-zurich/education/educational-development/curriculum-development/evaluation-of-curricula/_jcr_content/par/fullwidthimage/image.imageformat.1286.699483639.jpg)
![rating conference studierende](/en/the-eth-zurich/education/educational-development/curriculum-development/evaluation-of-curricula/_jcr_content/par/fullwidthimage_128233901/image.imageformat.1286.2031199901.jpg)
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
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 pageRatingkonferenzen als Evaluationsverfahren in der Curriculumsentwicklung. In: Blickpunkt Hochschuldidaktik 139
Contact persons for interested degree programme organisers
Abt. für Lehre und Lernen
Haldenbachstr. 44
8092
Zürich
Switzerland