Re: student evaluations

[DOSSINMM@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu]

Date sent:  24-JAN-1996 10:58:45 
This thread about student evaluations is one I care very much about.  I 
believe that one of the most important things we can model for our students 
is how to take a problem-solving approach when things aren't proceeding as 
we hoped or wished.  This is certainly important for writing:  they're 
expected to evaluate  feedback and use it to improve.  I believe we should 
not ask our students to do anything we don't do ourselves.

Therefore, I have for years asked my students to do an evaluation and mid-
semester, and we spend some time talking about their responses.  Just as I 
say about writing, some guidance/feedback in the middle of a course, or of 
a paper, is much more helpful than lots of criticism at the end.

Oops, above I meant "at" midsemester.  The lab is giving me problems, I'm 
on call for several workshops today--well, you know.  Stress city.

I have made changes based on these evaluations, and if I don't change 
something I explain why I won't.
Mary Dossin, SUNY Plattsburgh