The Influence of Gender and Intellectual Ability on Students Perception of Econmics Teachers Effectiveness in Higher Education

Abstract

Researchers have argued that student’s rating of teachers’ effectiveness is not a valid measure because it is influenced by a host of factors. The purpose of the study was to determine whether students’ gender and intellectual ability significantly influenced their perceptions of teachers’ effectiveness in a university setting. The Cross-sectional survey research design was employed through the use of students’ rating of teacher effectiveness questionnaire to collect the data. A total of 485 students, sampled from four Public Universities in Ghana participated in the study. The data were processed using SPSS software, version 20 and analysed using independent sample t-test. The results suggest that gender and intellectual ability did not influence students’ perception of Economics teachers’ effectiveness. The results have implications for authorities of Higher Education Institutions including School Administrators, teachers, and policymakers, as they assure and further guide efforts to improve upon students rating of teacher effectiveness. The study recommends that future research should consider the influence of the classroom physical environment on students’ perception of teachers’ effectiveness.