Quality Management in Teaching

  Two students in a lecture hall © Michael Heuters Federal Ministry of Education and Research logo  

Since 2008, RWTH Aachen has committed itself to a guided, strategic development process to expand quality assurance in teaching. In its institutional strategy Excellent Teaching and in the Teaching Strategy funded by the federal-state program, RWTH set the particular goal of further developing quality assurance in studies and teaching.

What is good teaching?

RWTH Aachen's dedication to good teaching is not only evident and confirmed by its successful performance in competitions. A significant factor is the common understanding that qualitative, excellent teaching should be a part of a high-performing university's self-image. The question of excellence must be answered individually in each course of study. Quality assurance makes a significant contribution to this issue. It systematically collects feedback from persons involved, makes this feedback available to responsible parties, students, and interested public, and promotes necessary measures. Furthermore, processes in studies and teaching are defined and illustrated in a transparent manner for all those involved.

RWTH's understanding of good teaching goes beyond collecting data and discussing the results. It is significantly shaped by the dedicated work of all those involved in studies and teaching. This was confirmed in particular by the university-wide Teaching Quality Objectives, which RWTH Aachen developed and approved. A quality management system is being developed based on these goals in a process that involves all of the faculties and status groups.

How is quality ensured?

RWTH Aachen uses the PDCA circuit to guide the processes in studies and teaching.

  Graphic: Means of Quality Assurance.
  • Plan: Determine quality goals
  • Do: Select and implement suitable measures and processes
  • Check: Measure results and effects using QM instruments
  • Act: Develop and implement recommendations for action