Some professors stink at teaching
Chris Higa
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: Opinion
This may come as a shock to some professors, but students do not pay hundreds of dollars to feign interest in your opinion. We came here to learn. Here is a wild idea: TRY TEACHING!
I have heard evaluations are only used when deciding a professor's tenure, and negative comments are typically ignored. There is no better indicator of a professor's abilities than those who fill out the evaluations - the students. Maybe they should be taken a little more seriously. Sure, secretaries type up student responses for the teacher to see, but how many of them take evaluations to heart and make an effort to change those negative aspects?
I feel some teachers have become so complacent in their methods that changing is too much work, so they continue to perform unsatisfactorily. It's good to know these people are the ones who determine if students graduate.
I realize I will receive blowback for writing an article like this. Several people have said this is not wise because I am attacking the people in charge of grades. If we are too afraid of failing a class for pointing out these flaws, nothing will ever change.
I believe about 95 percent of Western's professors are phenomenal educators, and you know who you are. This article was aimed at the 5 percent who need to make some changes, and you know who you are.
I have heard evaluations are only used when deciding a professor's tenure, and negative comments are typically ignored. There is no better indicator of a professor's abilities than those who fill out the evaluations - the students. Maybe they should be taken a little more seriously. Sure, secretaries type up student responses for the teacher to see, but how many of them take evaluations to heart and make an effort to change those negative aspects?
I feel some teachers have become so complacent in their methods that changing is too much work, so they continue to perform unsatisfactorily. It's good to know these people are the ones who determine if students graduate.
I realize I will receive blowback for writing an article like this. Several people have said this is not wise because I am attacking the people in charge of grades. If we are too afraid of failing a class for pointing out these flaws, nothing will ever change.
I believe about 95 percent of Western's professors are phenomenal educators, and you know who you are. This article was aimed at the 5 percent who need to make some changes, and you know who you are.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Ryan
posted 2/17/08 @ 10:06 PM CST
Let us not forget about the multitudes of students that simply waste money handed to them from the government and their mommy and daddy. There may by a professor or two that could do better but their are many times that number in students that are pretty much destined to work at Wal-mart and the oil change place the rest of their lives. (Continued…)
Cathy
posted 2/18/08 @ 12:47 AM CST
I agree with the writer of the column. He made several good points. However, I am very surprised at the number of errors in "Ryan's" posted response, especially with his "holier-than-thou" attitude. (Continued…)
Chase C.
posted 2/18/08 @ 5:01 PM CST
Hey, Ryan: There are zero fragmented sentences in Cathy's response. Also, there is no "the" missing. If you want to call someone out on grammar, you should probably be more educated. (Continued…)
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