As the end of every semester approaches, students have the option of completing course evaluations.  These evaluations give professors insight on students’ opinions of the course and what can be done to improve teaching tactics.

Students, including Ashleigh Lockhart, a sophomore in chemistry, think having the evaluation system is smart and complete their evaluations the first day they are available.

Lockhart said the evaluation process was simple and didn’t take long.

“I completed my class evaluations before Thanksgiving break.  It doesn’t take long, and the majority of my friends did them,” she said. 

Lockhart said professors were part of her reasoning for completing the evaluations.

“Most of my teachers gave incentive, including my math teacher who made a good point. She said, ‘If you don’t like me, and don’t tell me, how can I improve in case you get stuck with me down the line?'” Lockhart said. “I thought it was good reason to complete them.”

Morgan Cutright, a sophomore in history, also thought highly of the system.

“I think the system used for class evaluations is very effective. It’s easy for students to complete them when checking their e-mail,” she said.

Cutright thinks the professors benefit from the system.

“I also think it benefits the professors to know what students think about them so they can improve their teaching methods,” she said.

Professors, however, disagree with the effectiveness of the evaluation system.

Angela Farr, a communications assistant professor, said students’ responses are typically not very helpful or insightful. 

“Most of the comments made are not helpful and it’s usually one of two people who respond, those who love you and those who hate you,” she said. “Comments from either are not constructive because they like to call professors names or dote about how much they loved a class and neither range of those is really insightful.”

The two extreme sides of students that participate make it hard for professors to make changes.

“Without constructive comments, we don’t know what works and it’s difficult to make positive improvements,” Farr said. “I tend to get more feedback from people in class throughout the semester.”

Tiegang Fang, assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering, thinks the evaluation system improves teaching to a certain extent, but believes student inquiry throughout the semester to be more effective.

Course evaluations are open until December 9th at 8a.m. and can be completed through Vista online.