The majority of college students participate in a professor evaluation at the end of every semester. The evaluation normally consist of Likert scale questions and then one section at the end for additional comments. These evaluations end up in a folder and nothing is ever said about them again to the students. The professors or administrators say the evaluations are actual read and the student opinion matters, but does it really? Is one evaluation at the end of a semester enough? Reflect back onto those times when you took your class evaluations. Do you feel like that evaluation said everything you wanted it to say? Were those questions the questions you wanted answered? Do you feel like your opinion mattered and made an impact on the course for future students?
Honestly, I don't think my opinion matters. I believe the student climate survey is required so that's why universities send them to students. I think the survey should have open ended questions where students can elaborate on how they feel and justify why they feel the way they do about their instructor.
ReplyDeleteI am probably naive, but I think the evaluations do matter. I do not know how much weight they are given, but I believe that department heads see the evaluations and plan accordingly. Professional developments are most likely planned based on the data as a whole that is received from the information collected.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the replies. I feel like its a mixture. I think administrators look at the evaluations but I don't think they measure what should actually be measured.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent use of the weblog to encourage and foster discussion. In my experience as member of the faculty in three universities, administrators and department heads pay close attention to these evaluations and these evaluations do play a significant role in both their employment contract decisions and in the awarding of promotion and tenure.
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