Evaluations get graded
Students reflect on value of assessments
By Maria Zahid
Last Updated:4:51 PM EST 1/28/10 Section: News
The evaluations filled out by students at the end of each semester can be an important tool used to assess professors and improve courses.
"I think it is useful because students are able to express their views through the evaluations," sophomore Viki Katsetos said.
Faculty members do not see any results until after grades have been submitted. They receive the handwritten forms the students filled out as well as a summary report of the student responses to questions, said Jean Maley, who manages the course evaluation system.
The department chair, the school dean and the provost do not have access to the forms and do not see the written comments unless the faculty member decides to share them.
They receive summary reports, which give means and standard deviations for each question for each course, along with means for questions in all courses the instructor teaches. They are also given the means for all courses in their department and for the college as a whole, said Maley.
Bad evaluations have consequences, within reason.
"Negative evaluations in one course- especially if it is a new course for the instructor-will probably not have serious consequences, assuming that the evaluations in other courses are strong.
Negative student evaluations across the board and over time, combined with concerns raised from the other means of evaluation can lead to dismissal or the denial of tenure," Maley said.
A tenured professor still has annual reviews and negative evaluations of any aspect of his or her job could affect the professor's salary, said Maley.
Besides evaluating professors, the forms help instructors make changes to better their courses.
"The point that you shouldn't ignore is that, in addition to their use in evaluating faculty performance, the student evaluations provide professors valuable information on what has gone right and what has not-and I think most instructors read the evaluations and consider the ratings and the written comments in modifying courses for the future," Maley said.
Students appreciate this function.
"I think it's useful because professors can change their course plans," said junior Meghan Goodwin. Others aren't as confident.
"I don't think they really help the teachers or make them change," said sophomore Alex Meyer.
Some students feel that their peers don't always put enough effort into evaluations.
"I do think that evaluations can be very helpful for the professors, but I think that they are not always accurate because students don't want to take the time to fill them out completely," said sophomore Caitlin Balkin.
Evaluations are only one means of assessing professors. Full-time faculty has an annual evaluation of performance, related to things like teaching and advising. Instructors are also evaluated by other teachers, said Maley.
A proposal for online evaluations is currently being developed.
mz00204@sjfc.edu
"I think it is useful because students are able to express their views through the evaluations," sophomore Viki Katsetos said.
Faculty members do not see any results until after grades have been submitted. They receive the handwritten forms the students filled out as well as a summary report of the student responses to questions, said Jean Maley, who manages the course evaluation system.
The department chair, the school dean and the provost do not have access to the forms and do not see the written comments unless the faculty member decides to share them.
They receive summary reports, which give means and standard deviations for each question for each course, along with means for questions in all courses the instructor teaches. They are also given the means for all courses in their department and for the college as a whole, said Maley.
Bad evaluations have consequences, within reason.
"Negative evaluations in one course- especially if it is a new course for the instructor-will probably not have serious consequences, assuming that the evaluations in other courses are strong.
Negative student evaluations across the board and over time, combined with concerns raised from the other means of evaluation can lead to dismissal or the denial of tenure," Maley said.
A tenured professor still has annual reviews and negative evaluations of any aspect of his or her job could affect the professor's salary, said Maley.
Besides evaluating professors, the forms help instructors make changes to better their courses.
"The point that you shouldn't ignore is that, in addition to their use in evaluating faculty performance, the student evaluations provide professors valuable information on what has gone right and what has not-and I think most instructors read the evaluations and consider the ratings and the written comments in modifying courses for the future," Maley said.
Students appreciate this function.
"I think it's useful because professors can change their course plans," said junior Meghan Goodwin. Others aren't as confident.
"I don't think they really help the teachers or make them change," said sophomore Alex Meyer.
Some students feel that their peers don't always put enough effort into evaluations.
"I do think that evaluations can be very helpful for the professors, but I think that they are not always accurate because students don't want to take the time to fill them out completely," said sophomore Caitlin Balkin.
Evaluations are only one means of assessing professors. Full-time faculty has an annual evaluation of performance, related to things like teaching and advising. Instructors are also evaluated by other teachers, said Maley.
A proposal for online evaluations is currently being developed.
mz00204@sjfc.edu
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