Advice needed. NWR

Starqueg

Tomorrow is the last day of my semester, finally, which means today and tomorrow are filled with all the writing that's about to be due.  One assignment is a final reflection.  It's really more of a course evaluation, only one that isn't anonymous.  How should I handle this?  I hated the class.  I have more bad to say than good, but I have to turn this in before grades are posted and I'm terrified of screwing myself over.  She's the only professor who teaches this course and it's required.

I've been told elsewhere to either lie entirely, or to make it sound less bad (this was interesting but.....).  

Any ideas?

LetsHikeToday

Is the assignment graded? I've never had to do anything like that. 

Starqueg

No it's not graded. 

 It seems to just be her way of finding out what might need to be changed.  However, she really isn't open to change.  She still uses materials out of books from 20 years ago, and this is a teaching science class.  The technology portion was about floppy discs and VCRs.

Starqueg

My issues were:

textbook not related to age group I work with or for the degree program

materials outdated

lack of guidence for fieldwork assignments

professor not open to students asking questions (especially why)...it's freaking science, we need to know why we're supposed to do things certain ways

professor walked out during student presentations

technology assignment skipped entirely and when technology was mentioned it was outdated

I had a fun semester....

LetsHikeToday

If I were you I'd start with a positive, then get into your concerns, and then end with a positive. That's how I write the comments on my report cards for the kids. It works. 

chelseamb11

That's so strange that they require evals BEFORE grades come out.  And aren't they anonymous?

Starqueg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_advice-needed-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:7cc1f988-6bc6-4c8c-b78f-5814d84e6cd4Post:9451642a-4160-4cdc-91c7-4ddf37b407e9">Re: Advice needed. NWR</a>:
[QUOTE]That's so strange that they require evals BEFORE grades come out.  And aren't they anonymous?
Posted by chelseamb11[/QUOTE]
It's in our syllabus as an assignment due on the last day.  She gave three questions to answer in a 1-2 page paper.  Normally, we do anonymous surveys that are given to the department, but I guess she doesn't participate in those.

Anysunrise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_advice-needed-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:7cc1f988-6bc6-4c8c-b78f-5814d84e6cd4Post:93245451-34a8-42b6-af1e-12fb9adb036f">Re: Advice needed. NWR</a>:
[QUOTE]No it's not graded.   It seems to just be her way of finding out what might need to be changed.  However, she really isn't open to change.  She still uses materials out of books from 20 years ago, and this is a teaching science class. <strong> The technology portion was about floppy discs and VCRs.</strong>
Posted by Starqueg[/QUOTE]

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SEWF

Is there someone higher than her in the department? Maybe give her a couple of the things from your list, and go to her supervisor with all of your concerns. Especially about the technology. I work at a used bookstore, and even we laugh about books with floppy discs, and we get OLD computer books.

csweaney

I would pick maybe one or two issues to mention in a very polite way (maybe about the technology section being outdated or whatever) but I would definitely stay away from making any comments about her personally or her teaching style (although I'm sure you want to). I would hate for you to get a lower grade just because of something you said on an evaluation, even though it isn't "graded".

AmJam04

Honestly, this sounds like an assignment where you're supposed to stroke her ego. I only say this because 1) It's not anonymous. 2) It's due before grades are due. 3) It's an "evaluation" 4) I don't remember if you said it was graded, but if it is, that's another huge issue.

I would not use this particular assignment to attempt to sway the professor to change her ways -- knowing most professors, this would actually be a dire decision. Just try to focus entirely on what you learned and maybe bring in a point or two of how things could be changed.
THEN, either write a letter to the department's dean describing your list of issues, or if your school gives you professor evaluations (which ARE anonymous and NOT graded) then use that opportunity to let it all out.



I was in a very similar situation as you a few semesters ago, but I really did take advantage of speaking with the dean on my own and I felt like much more could be done by doing it that way (and actually was done the following semester).

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_advice-needed-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:7cc1f988-6bc6-4c8c-b78f-5814d84e6cd4Post:9451642a-4160-4cdc-91c7-4ddf37b407e9">Re: Advice needed. NWR</a>:
[QUOTE]That's so strange that they require evals BEFORE grades come out.  And aren't they anonymous?
Posted by chelseamb11[/QUOTE]
My school does too but the evaluations are anono.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_advice-needed-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:7cc1f988-6bc6-4c8c-b78f-5814d84e6cd4Post:11f332c2-76f6-4cd4-a869-9c4f29db0201">Re: Advice needed. NWR</a>:
[QUOTE]Honestly, this sounds like an assignment where you're supposed to stroke her ego. I only say this because 1) It's not anonymous. 2) It's due before grades are due. 3) It's an "evaluation" 4) I don't remember if you said it was graded, but if it is, that's another huge issue. I would not use this particular assignment to attempt to sway the professor to change her ways -- knowing most professors, this would actually be a dire decision. Just try to focus entirely on what you learned and maybe bring in a point or two of how things could be changed. THEN, either write a letter to the department's dean describing your list of issues, or if your school gives you professor evaluations (which ARE anonymous and NOT graded) then use that opportunity to let it all out. I was in a very similar situation as you a few semesters ago, but I really did take advantage of speaking with the dean on my own and I felt like much more could be done by doing it that way (and actually was done the following semester).
Posted by AmJam04[/QUOTE]

I agree with this advice.

Summer2011Bride

I agree that she's probably looking for people to pat her on the back, knowing that most students wouldn't be completely truthful to an evaluation with their name on it before grades are due. I would have an issue with this assignment overall, and would probably speak with someone above her in the dept. about her even requiring this type of assignment.

But about the actual evaluation: I think PPs gave good advice. Write some positive crap on there, and then tell her supervisor and/or write on the anonymous evaluation your TRUE feelings. Unfortunately, if she is still teaching there and using floppy discs for crying out loud I don't know how much sway either of those options will have, but I would at least try.

mbody

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_advice-needed-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:7cc1f988-6bc6-4c8c-b78f-5814d84e6cd4Post:9fd180d3-1c53-4a33-9994-249c9f8c52d0">Re: Advice needed. NWR</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Advice needed. NWR : It's in our syllabus as an assignment due on the last day.  She gave three questions to answer in a 1-2 page paper.  Normally, we do anonymous surveys that are given to the department, but I guess <strong>she doesn't participate in those.</strong>
Posted by Starqueg[/QUOTE]
At the schools I've attended, course/professor evals weren't optional. The department had to do them for everyone.

And, I'd use this paper as an opportunity to let her know what you did learn from the class. And maybe make a suggestion or two. But, I would definitely contact the department chair, and let him/her know how you feel.

entropicbeauty

I would absolutely be honest. If you know what your grade is before you hand this in, and you notice a drop then you can take it to the dean of students. Make sure you keep a copy of the critique you're turning in.

This lady obviously needs to know that she's not up to par with current teaching standards.

Also, while writing it, do not attack her, keep the tone of your writing as helpful criticism.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

For real - be honest.  If she screws you over then you can totally contest it with administration, because yeah.  That's definitely not allowed.

bjhubble

I agree with PPs that it's probably best to tell her about just a couple of your concerns and keeping the rest of it positive.  I also definitely think that no matter what you should hold on to ALL your graded assignments from the semester until your grades come out.  That way if she does manage to take offense to anything or use this assignment against you unfairly you'll have your other grades to show her higher-ups that you deserved a better grade than she gave you.

Starqueg

If I had any graded work to hold onto I would.  Everything is due at the end of the semester.  I won't even know how I did on anything until my grade is posted.  We had due dates throughout the semester, but she didn't grade things, just handed them back to us a month later and said to include it with our portfolios.  It's just so much wrong.