Re: Are student evaluations useful?

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

> Yes, but how does one differentiate between answers to question which really
> ask how did you *like* your instructor and those which assess competence.

The Student Government here at SFU once did their own survey using a
really poorly constructed instrument which was the same across all
disciplines in the university. One question about TAs was:

"Does the instructor solicit and value constructive disagreement?"

The students were pretty savvy. They knew that the answer had to be
"yes, very much" if one wanted to give the instructor high marks,
even in an elementary mechanics class! They lied without remorse.

The lesson here is that students will construct a metameaning given
the slightest opportunity. Everything is a game!

Leigh