Professor Ratings

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Han, Dec 13, 2003.

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  1. Han

    Han New Member

    When I was an undergrad there was a site on our campus network that students could put their opinions of professors and let other students know what to expect (like grading, test types, lectures, etc). Some of the descriptions got downright nasty, so the school shut it down, where a group of students reposted outside the school and kept it going.

    Now that I am teaching, I see a different perspective (funny how that happens). I have a debate going about me, and mostly good topics, but find this fascinating.

    Anyway, I wanted to see your thoughts. There is NOOOO moderation, cursing, etc is OK, becuase they want students to say it like it is - I like the idea, and know I can't respond, though I would like to :rolleyes:
     
  2. angela

    angela New Member

    Could Have other Uses!

    I know such a site is problematic, but I'd love to read the stuff about my prospective supervisor. All I know abuot him is the opinion of a couple of people and my impressions after one meeting. Have many people have an objective opinion of seomone after a first date?
     
  3. Tom57

    Tom57 Member

    When I was teaching high school, I became aware of this site:

    http://www.ratemyteachers.com/index.jsp

    I have mixed feelings about these sites.

    1. Generally, it's the students with less than favorable opinions that tend to post.

    2. Often there are not enough opinions posted to make any meaningful conclusions.

    If you check out some of samples from above, you'll see that some teachers have an average rating of 4.0, or something, but there are only two posts in the average, which doesn't say much.

    On the corporate side, vault.com, used to be a good place for anonymouts rants from insiders on a particular company. Again, you have to take it with a grain of salt. Some definitely have an axe to grind. Very few who love their companies will be motivated to tell the world.
     
  4. June

    June New Member

    I've used ratemyprofessors.com. I like the idea, but as was mentioned, not enough people post to really help. I also noticed that one instructor I just couldn't stand got a lot of positive reviews. The guy spent half the class talking about smoking pot and drinking beer. Apparently when you're 18 that's a plus.
     
  5. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Congratulations on landing a teaching position (I assume at the college level) -- what type of school, what position, and what do you teach. What lessons can you pass on for other wannabe teachers.
     
  6. Han

    Han New Member

    Re: Re: Professor Ratings

    CSU at Sacramento. Marketing and Marketing Research.

    Lesson #1 - Take anything they give you (I took a 7:30 AM and a 6:00 PM class, just to get my foot in the door).

    Lesson #2 - Sutdents are HUGE flakes and wait until the last mintue for everything. (I didn't realize what a large percentage this really was).

    Lesson #3 - Some students will waste more energy coming up with excuses than doing the assignments. Let them drop one assignment and drop one test - that way you don't have to deal with make ups.

    Lesson # 4 - Students like structure, so if you change anything, it is basically written in stone and frustrating to some if you change things. I will not hand out my schedule next semester for the entire semester, becuase when things did change this semester, some people never caught up.

    It was a great deal of fun. I had 160 students this semester in 3 classes. I will do more exercises next semester, and less lectures. I am still in learning mode.

    I have been reading my reviews, and they are all true, and mixed. Some people didn't like how I "changed things", but I am a true marketeer, if I see some not likeing the lecture, I always had a back up plan / exercise.

    I kept e-mailing the Dean's, asking about availability of classes each semester, finally, after about a year to 6 schools, one paid off. Next semester is a question, but beginning the doctorate program, would be OK if they didn't offer, but only time will tell.
     
  7. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    This is interesting. As the mother of a 19 year old sophmore at the Univ. of Kentucky, I can tell you that he has experienced a pretty bad group of teachers, not all of them, but enough that I have to wonder where my 3,000 per semester is going.

    I know some students are just one step above morons sometimes, but our experience is that the ones who are there to learn have found the system, at least at this university, soarly lacking in quality and feedback for the student. Last year, it was only 2 weeks before the end of the semester in May before his English teacher decided to return graded papers from January. Doesn't give one much time to improve or figure out what the teacher wanted. Luckily my son is a gifted and excellent writer, but what if he hadn't been? Thus, he made his first change from English major to Sociology major and swore he'd never take another class beginning with ENG.

    This semester he had a TA neither he, nor any other students could understand, she is from somewhere in Russia and is teaching Greek and Roman history. By the time the semester ended last week, he was ready to quit school entirely.

    Yes, I could complain. But I don't think it will make any difference ultimately as UK is interested only in grad students and research. And besides, who wants to listen to a complaining mother? Not the dean of the English department, who I contacted. He referred me to another sub-dean in the freshman english department who never returned my calls.

    I wish you much luck teaching. Remember, there are those students who really do want to learn and want to participate in more than Drinking 101. I'm glad my son is one of them. Best wishes to you.
     
  8. Han

    Han New Member

    I am calling it the 15-70-15 rule. About 15% are there to lear, really interested, and go above and beyond the assignment. About 70 are there, and they are engaged, but overall just do the assignments and want to pass, the last 15% do nothing, but want everything. They are high maintenance.

    I have enjoyed it, but it was a learning experience.
     
  9. Han

    Han New Member

    I am calling it the 15-70-15 rule. About 15% are there to learn, really interested, and go above and beyond the assignment. About 70 are there, and they are engaged, but overall just do the assignments and want to pass, the last 15% do nothing, but want everything. They are high maintenance.

    I have enjoyed it, but it was a learning experience.
     
  10. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Your percentages are interesting. Would you say they apply to the teachers as well when it comes to a big public universities? When I got my nursing degree in 1998 from the community college, I had wonderful teachers. Most had Ph.D's, were engaged with their students, wanted us to do well. They were not easy, some were downright demanding beyond what I thought I was capable of. I worked hard in some classes (the sciences kicked my behind), not so hard in others. Perhaps being a non-traditional student led me to be more comfortable with them, I don't know. I used my experience with college to inform my son what school would be like for him (he was 11 when I started school). Turns out, it's nothing like I told him. He and I have had long talks about college. He felt he was more challenged in high school than the first two years of college. It's very disconcerting to him and me, especially since I'm footing the bill from my paycheck.

    I work daily with residents at the hospital, they all report pretty much the same thing, that the first two years of college were a waste. I feel something is wrong with our educational system when so many obviously bright and driven young people report the same thing. It seems that the first year or two of college should catch their imaginations and inspirations. Maybe there would be fewer college drop outs if schools were more accountable to the students, especially in the beginning. Maybe not. I just know I'm disappointed with the largest university in our state, one that professes to be working toward top 20 status.
     
  11. Han

    Han New Member

    I would say (in my limited experience as a teacher) that about 30% are only into research (not the classroom), 30% don't care (care to retirement maybe), and 30% do care - 10% don't know.

    It is a hard cycle, and I don't know how it started, but it is difficult to really teach students well when there are 100 students in a classroom. Much more is left to the student, than the faculty used to take ownership.

    Sounds like your son is accountable and doing well with the shift.
     
  12. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Is having 100 students in a class common at CSUS?
    Over 30 years the many classes I took had between 7 and 30 students. At CSUDH there are not many classrooms that would hold 100 students.
     
  13. Han

    Han New Member

    When I was an undergrad, I had about 4 classes with over 100 in them. The rest between 30-60. Never under 30, I think they cancel them under 24 enrolled.

    I thought I had 30 per class, but when the class filled up, I had over 60 in each class. The intro classes are larger, then the electives as a senior are smaller.

    Is that normal?

    I didn't get as much student time in the class, so I met with many students who were struggling after class and via e-mail. Probably 100 e-mails a week. I met with at least 20 students a week. They were all great questions, and I think it helped, but very time consuming. I learned what works and what doesn't though, so I know next semester will be even better.

    I do have to say I had one mentor and one Chair of the department that were great. They answered questionsas I went along.
     

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