Strange thing happened at school today...

[Cindy B]

We are on week 6 of a 7 week course. Last Thursday, the professor handed us an evaluation. I answered truthfully and honestly my opinion.

Apparently, other students did as well, because about 45 minutes into the class, the department chair comes to observe the class.

Not only does he observe, but he also corrects said professor in front of the students.

Then, the professor say we can go on break. When I get back, the department chair is teaching the course, and the professor is sitting down! Then, the professor leaves!

Many students start to leave. The department chair stops class and talks to some of them. (ie why are you leaving, etc..?)

It was a very strange moment in school

 

[snuggles]

My dd has been in some classes where this should happen too. It's a shame more dept. heads don't do that. I wonder whether he will come back or is replaced.

 

[winniedapooh]

In undergrad I was in a few classes where I wished this could have happened. We had a professor that would scream and yell and swear right up in your face. He is tenured so they do nothing and the evals. are just pieces of paper they use for burning. I also know people have complained to the chair and again nothing!

 

[Keli]

My university wasn’t that large so it was not uncommon to have the same professor for more than one class during your college career.

One time I had a particularly bad professor and gave a frank and unflattering evaluation of him at the end of the semester. I was shocked and upset when I realized that he would be teaching one of my classes the next semester (when I signed up the prof hadn't been assigned yet, it just said "staff" under the column for the prof/instructor's name).

The evaluations must truly be anonymous though because he walked into class on the first day and mentioned his poor evaluations the previous semester, even quoting part of my evaluation (I used a particular phrase to describe him, lol) but he never did anything to indicate to me that he realized I wrote that evaluation. Whew, I spent a nervous few days trying to decide if I should drop that class and try again for someone else, lol.

 

[browneyes]

Was the professor that bad?

 

[Cindy B]

Yes, she is particulary bad.

Her grading scheme is unfair, and I have seen evidences of grade inflation.

Particulary F students getting a passing grade.

Her lecture style is fast and confusing as well.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, while it is good for oyu students that soemthing was done, I can't say I am impressed with the way the dept. chair handled the situation.

I feel that the dept.chair should have observed the class and then spoken to the professor about her teaching style afterward. To correct the professor while he is teaching and then take control away from her after the break is unprofessional on his part.

A bad situation all around.

 

[mickeyboat]

My biggest complaint from college science and math courses in particular was professors and TA's who speak English poorly. Trying to learn difficult material while trying to understand the professor was extremely trying.

I had a math professor one time, who spoke perfect English, BTW, that COULD NOT TEACH. No one in the class understood a thing he was talking about. I ended up spending a week at the end of the semester teaching the material to myself for the final. I aced it BTW.

It takes all kinds.

Denae

 

[RitaZ.]

Wow, that is strange. I agree that it should have been handled with more tact.

 

[caitycaity]

Well, while it is good for oyu students that soemthing was done, I can't say I am impressed with the way the dept. chair handled the situation.

i agree.

since being in grad school, i've found our evals have been taken more seriously than when i was an undergrad (same school, some of the same professors, actually).

this semester i am taking a class with one of the same professors i had last semester (and actually a lot of the same students as well). she started off the first class talking about teh evals and what she was changing based on them.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
Well, while it is good for oyu students that soemthing was done, I can't say I am impressed with the way the dept. chair handled the situation.

I feel that the dept.chair should have observed the class and then spoken to the professor about her teaching style afterward. To correct the professor while he is teaching and then take control away from her after the break is unprofessional on his part.

A bad situation all around.

I agree. I found the whole situation eerie at best. I've been in classroom evaluations at the moment, and if the administrators have any questions regarding the classroom or materilal, the administrators wait until the end of class. Unfortunately I have seen overzealous administrators come into a class, and "take over". Then the credibility of the teacher is undermined.

I for one found it unprofessional on the dept. chair part. If the professor was doing that horrible, she should have been talked to prior to this point.

It was a very odd situation to be in no matter what.