Coaching and teaching performance in higher education: a literature review

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this literature review was to identify best practices in coaching faculty within higher education and the subsequent benefits of effective faculty coaching programs for the retention of quality faculty. In higher education, where an emphasis is on the delivery of curriculum for student learning, faculty performance reviews are not universally defined, nor are coaching practices consistently employed. Giving teaching performance feedback promptly to faculty may be a means to foster professional growth and enhance the implementation of progressive practices to benefit student learning.Design/methodology/approachThe authors undertook a content analysis of current literature on the evaluation and coaching practices of higher education faculty that specifically addressed the quality and timeliness of feedback and gaps in practices.FindingsThrough this study, the authors gleaned recommendations for improving faculty evaluation, coaching, and feedback.Practical implicationsDeveloping coaching programs to include all higher education faculty may lead to improved teaching performance and alignment of the faculty with institutional goals. The insights from this study may provide the impetus to develop structures and processes for university-based professional development and coaching programs that could lead to positive student learning outcomes and better relationships among faculty.Originality/valueThis is the first review to use Cooper's systematic examination of current literature to explore the topics of faculty support, coaching, and development within higher education.