Selected Comments (Positive/Neutral/Negative) by Students
Departmental Evaluations
The following representative comments pertain to aspects of the course students are asked to respond to on departmental evaluation forms, including the instructor's knowledge of material, preparedness, and concern for students' needs; the intellectual level of the course; in-class discussions, writing and reading assignments; and students' assessments of how much their proficiency in thinking, reading, and writing has increased as a result of the course. Each comment should indicate by context the aspect being responded to.
These comments have been excerpted from evaluations for all sections of the course taught during the past school year.
Introductory Writing Program: College Writing 2 (Winter, Summer 1998/Winter
1999)
[Instructor:] Always gave assignments of quality. Never any "busy work."
{...} It's a challenging course. [Writing assignments:] Sometimes my hand got
tired.
He could have been more clear on changes needed to be made. It would have
been helpful if he expanded on corrections. [Readings:] They were different
than most English classes. The readings touched on many different topics
which I believe was one of the objectives. [...] My ability to read and think
improved a little, when we read a short story we were told to read and look
for details. [...] I enjoyed the class discussions. Kevin made students
(myself) think about things and see things I hadn't necessarily seen before
discussions.
The readings are excellent. We cover many themes. The class packet was well
selected and makes this class alive every day. [Peer review:] Good. It helps
to revise your paper efficiently. When your peer can't understand your paper
maybe your teacher won't either. [Proficiency:] I think and write more
critically.
There was never a dull moment. [...] He had sheets to grade our performance.
The sheet was very detailed and told us how we could improve our writing.
[...] I liked the readings. They were something we could relate to. It was
actually fun to read the stories and literature. The movies were also great.
[...] This was one of the best English classes I've ever had. Kevin is a
great professor & very energized. With an energized teacher, students too
become energized & want to do the best they can.
The course made me more "satisfied" with the written work I produced. I was
very "proud" of each and every essay I wrote. As for the readings, because of
how interesting the texts were, I read them several times, improving my
reading. [Assignments:] The best I ever had. They were all very challenging.
This class had a lot of analytical thinking, something I found challenging.
I'm a creative thinker type. [...] I liked Kevin's teaching methods and how
it was a relaxing class and yet I learned so much.
I wish I was able to write about subjects that I felt something about. Some
of the writing assignments were ambig[u]ous. [Course content:] I liked the
DAC [newsgroup] postings, diversity of opinions, etc.
Excellent class. Kevin enjoys what he does and it shows. He does what great
teachers are supposed to do: broaden our minds, introduce us to new ideas &
ways of thinking and viewing the world. Some texts were new, some we saw
already, but all we learned from. He allowed students to speak, but would
often speak himself: nice balance.
Cassell is a pomp[o]us, insecure instructor. He should not be molding minds
because he can't handle his own. He has demonstrated a poor knowledge of
major literary works. Which makes me wonder if he is qualified to teach this
class. [...] He only taught us to think what he wants. [...] Get rid of
Cassell.
[The course:] Much better than College Writing 1. The readings are not long
and are good stories to read. They are interesting with many issues to be
debated over. [...] We need more peer review w/a specific partner.
Class discussions were good--most everyone got to speak their opinions. [...]
The class was not difficult as long as one keeps up with the work.
[...Readings:] Fair but not great.
Mr. Cassell is unlike any teacher I have ever had. He used a different but
helpful approach in helping me to become a better wirter.
I LOVED the first essay! That one made me think. [Peer Review:] O.K., but
some of my peers didn't know what they were talking about.
The writing assignments are challengint because they are different from the
norm.