September Evaluation Results

I have gone over the preliminary course evaluations and this is what I have learned so far:

• You seem pleased with lectures, but you wish they could be a bit more dynamic.
• You enjoy the texts.
• You don't enjoy the articles as much.
• You'd like the lectures to parallel the readings better.
• Discussion could be more effective.
• Some of you like the responses, some of you don't.

Going forward, I will work harder to link readings to lectures and demonstrate their relevance. I may also revise some of the future readings so that they are more relevant (and hopefully, interesting). I'll also see if I can find ways to incorporate more multimedia into my lectures to link conceptual ideas with more common topics.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with this assessment, especially if I'm missing something. Feel free to suggest ways that we can improve the class in these areas. You can comment below, anonymously if you prefer.

Raw data is available below the jump if you're particularly interested.

Question		5	4	3	2	1	N/A	n		Mean	Mean	Mode
Total Required Questions		87	89	15	3	0	1	194		4.340	4	4
General Questions		35	51	10	0	0	1	96		4.260	4	4
I have gained new insights and skills from this course.		6	6	2	0	0	0	14		4.286	4	4.5
The instructor made clear the expected goals.		7	6	1	0	0	0	14		4.429	4.5	5
Evaluations have reflected the expected goals.		2	9	1	0	0	1	12		4.083	4	4
Reading assignments have contributed to what I have learned.		4	8	2	0	0	0	14		4.143	4	4
Writing assignments have contributed to what I have learned.		3	9	2	0	0	0	14		4.071	4	4
The grading system was clearly explained.		8	5	1	0	0	0	14		4.500	5	5
How would you grade the overall teaching effectiveness (5 = Very Effective; 1 = Very Ineffective)?		5	8	1	0	0	0	14		4.286	4	4
Lecture Questions		37	17	1	1	0	0	56		4.607	5	5
The instructor's lectures have been well prepared.		9	5	0	0	0	0	14		4.643	5	5
The instructor seems interested in the subject.		11	3	0	0	0	0	14		4.786	5	5
The instructor has presented and explained lecture material clearly.		9	4	0	1	0	0	14		4.500	5	5
The lectures have contributed to what I learned.		8	5	1	0	0	0	14		4.500	5	5
Discussion Questions		15	21	4	2	0	0	42		4.167	4	4
Class discussions have contributed to what I learned.		3	8	2	1	0	0	14		3.929	4	4
All students were actively encouraged to participate.		4	7	2	1	0	0	14		4.000	4	4
The instructor encouraged fair and open discussion.		8	6	0	0	0	0	14		4.571	5	5
Custom Questions		38	33	12	1	0	0	84		4.286	4	5
I'm learning what I wanted to learn about in this course.		4	8	2	0	0	0	14		4.143	4	4
I find the instructor's reviews of learning techniques helpful.		5	5	4	0	0	0	14		4.071	4	4.5
The course blog has enhanced my learning in this course.		8	4	2	0	0	0	14		4.429	5	5
The course blog (combined with email) is a suitable replacement for Blackboard.		10	4	0	0	0	0	14		4.714	5	5
I have developed new learning and studying techniques that I can apply to other courses.		4	6	3	1	0	0	14		3.929	4	4
Subjects I have learned about in this course are applicable to my life and the "real world."		7	6	1	0	0	0	14		4.429		5