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Course Evaluations

Who actually fills them out?

At the end of every semester at SFU (and likely at every other post-secondary institution in the developed world -- but this ignorant gal doesn't know for certain), the students are given the opportunity to evaluate their courses, instructors, and TAs by filling out bubble sheets, which basically challenge their ability to shade in tiny circles using a No. 2 HB pencil. There's also space at the bottom for comments. Does anyone actually fill in that space???? Well... besides me? Apparently, most people randomly darken those circles and then prefer to save the rest of the graphite of their No.2 HB pencils for more worthy tasks.

However, perhaps others like to take the opportunity to get revenge on the instructor that has damaged their faith in society. Or perhaps others prefer to shower their prof with endless praise for opening their eyes to the minute details of mammalian excretory processes (whatever!). Nevertheless, I received the following in an email from one of my UBC friends a while back (exact originators unknown) and thought it might be some inspiration for when you get your next chance to evaluate...

Course Evaluations

This was purportedly taken from
MIT's Course Evaluation Guide, Fall, The Best and Worst Comments Received:

  • "Text is useless. I use it to kill roaches in my room."

  • "He teaches like Speedy Gonzalez on a caffeine high."

  • "In class, the syllabus is more important than you are."

  • "Help! I've fallen asleep and I can't wake up!"

  • "Text makes a satisfying 'thud' when dropped on the floor."

  • "The class is worthwhile because I need it for the degree."

  • "His blackboard technique puts Rembrandt to shame."

  • "Textbook is confusing...someone with a knowledge of English should proofread it."

  • "Have you ever fallen asleep in class and awoke in another? That's the way I felt all term."

  • "This class was a religious experience for me...I had to take it all on faith."

  • "The recitation instructor would make a good parking attendant. Tries to tell you where to go, but you can never understand him."

  • "Problem sets are a decoy to lure you away from potential exam material."

  • "Recitation was great. It was so confusing that I forgot who I was, where I was, and what I was doing--It's a great stress reliever."

  • "He is one of the best teachers I have had...He is well-organized, presents good lectures, and createst interest in the subject. I hope my comments don't hurt his chances of getting tenure."

  • "I would sit in class and stare out the window at the squirrels. They've got a cool nest in the tree."

  • "The absolute value of the TA was less than epsilon."

  • "TA steadily improved throughout the course...I think he started drinking and it really loosened him up."

  • "Information was presented like a ruptured fire hose--spraying in all directions--no way to stop it."

  • "I never bought the text. My $60 was better spent on the Led Zeppelin tapes that I used while doing the problem sets."

  • "What's the quality of the text? 'Text printed on high quality paper.'"

  • "The course was very thorough. What wasn't covered in class was covered on the final exam."

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