Study: Teacher Evaluations Have Zero Correlation with Learning

College Life
21

I think evaluations are in fact useful. I have given evaluations to many professors and have seen tangible differences in their teaching. Some actually welcomed feedback.

Perhaps the lack of correlation is attributed to the lack of accountability in universities in holding professors to making changes in teaching style. I laugh when I say that because so many professors aren’t really teachers, just PhD’s that with poor communication skills.

What’s the correlation between learning and actual training in teaching STUDENTS? Maye that should be looked at instead of evaluations. I’ve seen articles published by professors claiming their role is to “broaden the knowledge base” and almost practically administrate a course with a few slides and tests. If that’s the case students should all get tuition discounts for “teaching” themselves.

22

I hate when a study comes out and people automatically make blanket statements.

It depends on the type of evaluation and many other factors.

With something like a survey, it’s a quantitative analysis. So, questions should be relatively objective. And inferences should only be made in abnormalities. For example, if 60% of students say the professor is too difficult, I’d ignore it. If 90% of students say the professor is too difficult, I’d probably side with the students.