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If you are like me, you’ve had a few teaching evaluations that give unhelpful advice such as “too much reading.” I’m trying to teach my students that evaluations are a time for constructive and actionable criticism.
dont get me wrong, I’ve had plenty of awful instructors who’ve made me feel powerless and undervalued. I can imagine that COVID has compounded negative pedagogical strategies immensely
I also think that in some instances, evaluations are being read differently right now, especially in the wake of the current socio-racial-political topography of the US. Thus, dear students, here are some things you should include in evaluations:
Was your instructor accessible? Think of every sense of the word. Did they understand resource/access needs to their class, were they accommodating to parents, disabled students, wonky work schedules, and tight budgets?
Was your instructor willing to adapt (within reason) to growing and shifting needs? If possible, we’re extensions granted, drafts read, emails answered? Did you feel like you could ask for help if you needed? Remember that men profs are just as obligated as women to be helpful.
Think about your syllabus and course materials. We’re they relatively inclusive of diverse contributions? Or were the authors/materials generally from cishet white sources? Did your professor acknowledge moments where inclusivity was lacking and offer that for discussion?
How about equity in the classroom? If relevant, did your prof make efforts to create discussions spaces where everyone can participate? Think both ideologically and in terms of accessibility.
Finally, was the work load realistic and productive to your learning? Many of us have page # requirements for writing assignments, but did some stuff (cough cough discussion posts) feel pointless? Offer an alternative. Maybe a weekly quiz or partner exercise.
Obviously this is all a lot of labor for some, but these are the things that I weigh when I’m designing a course, and I hope students recognize my desire for consistency, willingness to adapt, and effort to foster inclusivity and accessibility in my class.
There are many other extremely valid critiques that evaluations can provide, but I’ll tell ya, if I get one more “uses fake news” comments, I will frame it and put it on the wall with the rest of em.
