Had to collect some student feedback on my module today, using the standardised questionnaires. This process is a perennial source of amusement/offence/general bewilderment for academic staff. It's very hard not to take comments personally. Over the years and at various institutions (not necessarily my current one) I have known staff to cry, hit the bottle, construct voodoo dolls, consider a change of career, etc. - all based on the odd throwaway remark made on the questionnaires.
Someone has even written a paper on it:
Lindahl, M.W. & Unger, M.L. (2010) Cruelty in Student Teaching Evaluations. College Teaching, 58 (3): 71 - 76
To paraphrase from the comments made on a colleague's recent module evaluation: "He thinks he's IT you know - he SO isn't."
Or on one of mine after I'd spent hours devising classroom based activities and interactive sessions to stimulate and excite:
"Sometimes it seemed like Carol couldn't be bothered to lecture to us - we had to do lots of work in class to fill the time".
At least today's were fairly positive:
Interesting topics covered- long term conditions
An interesting subject area
Lecturer very knowledgeable about the topic
Beneficial to talk about careers related, journals, etc.
A lot of help in extra sources available on topics in a practical way
A chance to practice presentation skills to increase confidence
Explained well - well supported with appropriate research
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