[Arizona-students] Professor Evaluations

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi guys,
It is interesting that we are discussing professor evaluations now, because 
just a couple weeks ago, the adviser for the AABS of ASU (who happened to 
teach one of my classes this fall) suggested to me that perhaps we need to 
come up with a better system for course evaluations so they can be 
accessible and anonymous. But in my opinion, short of requiring all 
evaluations to be electronic, I don't think there is any way to make the 
process totally anonymous except to use a reader. I see no disadvantages to 
using a reader who is not in the class, so this is probably the best way to 
go.

    I admit that I personally have little interest in filling out professor 
evaluations, since I rarely have very strong opinions one way or the other 
about my professors. So usually, especially in a big lecture class, I will 
discreetly walk out when evaluations are passed out (assuming that this is 
at the end of the class period) and enjoy the extra time to grab a cup of 
coffee or study a little before my next class. Once last spring, I did this 
in a chemistry class where I knew the professor, and the prof noticed me 
leaving. He cornered me in lab the next day and asked why I hadn't wanted to 
fill out the evaluation. I was so embarrassed! I explained that the 
evaluations didn't scan; I hadn't really considered using my reader, who I 
worked with very infrequently. I did happen to really like this prof and he 
had started out being very wary of having a blind student in his class, and 
his attitude had really evolved in a positive way during the semester. So I 
decided to send him a special email after grades were submitted thanking him 
for a good class and for his openness to having a blind student in his 
class. I hope that made up for my letting him down by not filling out the 
evaluation, but I think these personalized comments were probably more 
informative than a standardized form.

    Of course, if your opinion of the professor is not so great, this isn't 
a workable solution. In those cases, it is probably best to use a reader. I 
think this is just one of those things where we can't do things in exactly 
the same manner as the sighted students, but we can do approximately the 
same thing with just a little creativity.

    All right......I'm off to get caught up with the NABS email list. I am 
glad that several students are coming to the E.V. party tonight. As some 
would say, Merry Qwanzukkah, and have a happy New Year if I don't talk to 
you before then.

Arielle