CONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TEACHING QUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS IN PORTUGAL

This article deals on a qualitative study that includes an analysis of content regarding to three open questions, to know and compare, concerning the way in which 427 students and 103 teachers of three high level education establishments in the region of Alentejo (Portugal) defined quality of education, and which should be the improvement actions suggested by teachers for their courses and for the institutions in which they work. The content analysis is based on the theoretical models available, in the planned activities for teachers in higher education and, mainly, in the content of the participants written answers. The results reveal that the answers of the teachers and students of the three establishments do not differ substantially from each other. The quality of education is more associated to the pedagogical nature, to preparation for integration into the labor market, linking with the educational community or qualification teachers, than to those related to the investigation.