Do the best professors get the worst ratings (from students)?

MirabileDictu
Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:37:31 +0000

I thought that the second half of the article, focusing on the study of Air Force Academy students, was much more interesting than the first half. The idea that teaching that results in higher performance in the current class may result may create worse results in the long term is fascinating and provocative. I do know that my high school students favor teachers who are explicit about what will be on the test, and that they resent teachers who give tests that require them to apply what they have learned in unanticipated ways. At the same time, I find it believable that the latter (more frustrating) group of teachers promote a deeper understanding of their subject.