The sometimes dreade course evaluation
We have all been there with the class who has given the course a sad face. I bite the bullet and take the sound criticism and work to improve the course. When too many critiques come back with the same general comments from several classes, it's time to look at the course.
Kelly,
It's important to note that the instructor and students may see different strengths and weaknesses in a course. So, all of our input is helpful.
Kelia,
That is so true, some classes need revision because every instructor and student can pinpoint the weakness of the class or at least which projects give students so much grief there is little success.
I don't think course evaluation should be a dreaded process though, more of a team effort to improve and make the class worthwhile so students and instructors want to be a part of it. Sometimes it takes a while to get a course being a good course.
-Kelly
Dianne,
We do have to take the students' comments into consideration, but we have to be smart about it as well. Thanks!
I agree with your post. In my experience, for the most part, students either loved it or not. When a student added more input, it was usually either a student who did not do well and used the feedback for attack or a student who did very well and thought the course as well as my instruction were perfect!
Katina,
"Oddball" - what an appropriate term. ;-) We have to consider our evaluation comments carefully and take them to heart, but be able to separate the outliers. Thanks!
I think we've all been in the situation of getting an oddball comment or two in our evals, but perhaps one or two "out there" comments are the norm. Repeated issues, and repeated criticisms should definitely be addressed. Then again, I have colleagues who enjoy being told they are "too difficult" or other negative feedback because they feel that it reflects positively on their seriousness and command of their subject. Evals, too, are subjective and subject to context.
Leigh,
Take all of the comments as constructive whether they are worded like that or not. We can always improve. The best teacher is a good student. Thanks!
I can pretend that I like the course evaluations but I honestly cringe when I have to read them. I have never received a bad mark toward my teaching but have had students state "loved the teacher but the course was too boring or simple". This too is a reflection on my teaching as I feel as though I could of done more or different. After a few years of evaluations I started to realize the quantitative measurement of how many students completed and the scoring around each category. comments are great to read but the specific questions answered and percentages based to these specifics have assisted more in improving my teaching and classroom.
Teresa,
Yes, I use formative evaluations - throughout the course so student see that I take their feedback as important to the class. They are more likely to complete the end of course evaluation after those formative evaluations. Thanks!
I like to get an idea through out the class as to how students are feeling about the class such as work load or difficulty of content. I find when I do a good job of checking in with my students the evaluations at the end don't often hold a big "surprise" I was unaware of and could have addressed.
William,
Anonymous feedback helps the students feel more comfortable saying what they want to say. Nice job.
Yes I can agree with this. I also will send out a blank card to be returned, without any name for feed back good or bad. And look at changing how the presentation is laid out,if necessary.
kelia,
You're absolutely right. We can't take everything personally, but we have to take the feedback seriously and make the course better. It's a never ending revision cycle. Thanks!
