Student Evaluations: Summary of Students' Written Comments
Kevin Cassell, Northeastern University, 1997-8
In their written comments pertaining to my teaching performance, many students expressed satisfaction with my "enthusiasm" and "high-energy level." A common statement is: "This class kept me awake." Another is: "I was never bored in this class."
Regarding in-class discussions, for the most part students responded favorably. One representative comment (from and English 1111 student): "...I always left class thinking, 'Wow, that was interesting.' Even if I wasn't a part of the particular discussion, I enjoyed listening."
My very "structured" class plan received mixed reviews, primarily from students in 1013 and 1111. Although I never assign a "topic" to write about, I often set parameters to contextualize writing assignments. Some students didn't like this: "Students should be able to write about something the[y] feel, this will give them more motivation to write."
My 1350 students, for the most part, like the course structure: "I think the class should be kept the same because it prohibited me from procrastinating."
Students also felt that I should have longer conferences (more than 10 minutes) and that I should conference more frequently with them one-on-one.
My anecdotal style was appreciated by many students, but not by all. I received some criticism for "getting off the subject." My handwriting was also criticized by some for being "unreadable."
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COURSE: English 1111 (Freshman English 2), Winter, 1998
Qualitative Highly Generally Generally Omits Comments Positive Positive Negative Class 11 3 0 2 Discussions (1b) Writing 5 9 0 2 Assignments (1c) Instructor's 11 1 0 4 Knowledge (4a) (4b) 5 5 0 6 Instructor's Responsiveness Student Exceptional Very Good Average Poor to Bad Ratings Overall Rating 5 5 0 0 of Course
COURSE: English 1111 (Freshman English 2), Winter, 1998
Qualitative Highly Generally Generally Omits Comments Positive Positive Negative Class 11 3 0 2 Discussions (1b) Writing 5 8 0 3 Assignments (1c) Instructor's 9 5 0 2 Knowledge (4a) (4b) 9 5 0 2 Instructor's Responsiveness Student Exceptional Very Good Average Poor to Bad Ratings Overall Rating 11 4 1 0 of Course
COURSE: English 1004 (Fundamentals of English, ESOL), Winter, 1998
Qualitative Highly Generally Generally Omits Comments Positive Positive Negative Class 4 10 1 2 Discussions (1b) Writing 3 11 1 2 Assignments (1c) Instructor's 1 11 0 5 Knowledge (4a) (4b) 1 11 0 5 Instructor's Responsiveness Student Exceptional Very Good Average Poor to Bad Ratings Overall Rating 2 7 7 0 of Course
"New Form"
Course: English 1350, (Intermediate Writing), Spring, 1998
Instructor
Excellent Very Good Good Average Poor
Knowledge 14 3 0 0 0
and
preparation
Concern for 6 8 3 0 0
needs of
students
Exceptional Very Helpful Helpful Somewhat Not Helpful
Responses to 8 5 4 0 0
students'
work
The Course
Too High Challenging Average Somewhat Low Too low
Intellectual 1 14 1 1 0
level of the
course
Course: English 1350, (Writing for the Professions), Summer, 1998
Instructor
Excellent Very Good Good Average Poor
Knowledge 11 15 0 0 0
and
preparation
Concern for 7 12 7 0 0
needs of
students
Exceptional Very Helpful Helpful Somewhat Not Helpful
Responses to 6 12 6 2 0
students'
work
The Course
Too High Challenging Average Somewhat Low Too low
Intellectual 2 14 9 0 0
level of the
course
Course: English 1350, (Writing for the Professions), Summer, 1998
Instructor
Excellent Very Good Good Average Poor
Knowledge 18 7 0 0 0
and
preparation
Concern for 7 11 6 1 0
needs of
students
Exceptional Very Helpful Helpful Somewhat Not Helpful
Responses to 2 15 8 0 0
students'
work
The Course
Too High Challenging Average Somewhat Low Too low
Intellectual 2 18 3 2 0
level of the
course
Course: English 1111, (Writing for the Professions), Summer, 1998
Instructor
Excellent Very Good Good Average Poor
Knowledge 11 4 1 0 0
and
preparation
Concern for 6 6 3 0 1
needs of
students
Exceptional Very Helpful Helpful Somewhat Not Helpful
Responses to 3 8 2 1 1
students'
work
The Course
Too High Challenging Average Somewhat Low Too low
Intellectual 0 9 6 0 0
level of the
course
Course: English 1013, (Basic Writing), Fall, 1999. TWO Sections Combined
Instructor
Excellent Very Good Good Average Poor
Knowledge 24 17 2 1 0
and
preparation
Concern for 7 23 10 1 0
needs of
students
Exceptional Very Helpful Helpful Somewhat Not Helpful
Responses to 0 14 25 3 1
students'
work
The Course
Too High Challenging Average Somewhat Low Too low
Intellectual 0 14 25 3 1
level of the
course
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