Understanding Students is the Key to Be a Good Professor

Abstract

Unlike many writings about the quality of a “good professor” by educators in higher education, the authors attempt to identify the key attributes of good professors from the point of view of students, not professors. Through the open ended questionnaires administered without notification in business and economics classes with respondents remaining anonymous, the study reveals that the four most important attributes of being a good professor are understanding the students, organized presentations, enthusiastic excitement, and knowledge on the teaching subject. This data was gathered from business students of a state university in mid-west, USA. Based on the findings, the authors present strategies for success in classroom teaching along with practical suggestions for new aspiring professors who are eager to launch their teaching career as well as those that are eager to improve teaching performance in higher education.