Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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designed to I By CYNTHIA CONNOLLY Gamecock Staff Writer As the end of the semester rapidly approaches, students will begin to evaluate their professors and courses. Page 4-THE GAMECOCK-, Students' ev; TIIK PURPOSE of student evaluations is to help the professor better structure his course and provide feedback on his performance in the classroom, Vice President of Instructions William Wesson said. "Student evaluations are also a very strong consideration when reviewing a professor for tenure," Wesson said. Consistantlv had evaluations over a period of time could be cause to dismiss a professor, he said, "But it would need to be considered very carefully, usually by the department head who sees the evaluations and would initiate any action." There is no university-wide evaluation form. The professor can distribute his own evaluations, which students return directly to him, or some departments issue a computer evaluation form and give the general results to the professor. Wesson said. QUALITIES STUDENTS consider most important when evaluating a nrnfpssnr arrnrrtina to Wesson, arc whether he attends class regularly and punctually; whether he is well organized with clear objectives; whether he holds stimulating classes; chooses a good text and has a fair relationship between tests and lectures. When innovative teaching methods are used, such as numerous film presentations, students are generally critical and susDicious. Wesson said. He said students are eoncerned whether the films are used to help the professor more than themselves. Wesson said, and this is reflected in their evaluations. "Student evaluations are used for three purposes, which are somewhat contradictory," said iL- 11 i vn i ot-uiM uur^ ui irit* Honors Program Past evaluations are used when advising students, he said. "Comments like, 'this professor is very hard, but worth the work because he gives a good understanding of the subject,' will occur on about one-half the forms." Sederburg said he thinks siucienis will otten take the harder courses if they think the professor's knowledge is worth the effort involved. Also, evaluations help the professor structure his course by knowing students' reaction to reading materials and lectures, Sederburg said. Evaluations are also used for considering merit raises, tenure and promotion. o i i ? .... - oeuerourg saia ne thinks this is a contradiction of student evaluations. "EVALUATIONS ARE used to assure the quality of teaching in the Honors Program," he said. "If evaluations are sent up the pipeline to the dean and persons involved in tenure consideration, it adds an unfortunate distortion to the purpose of evaluations." Sederburg said professors should April 25, 1977 aluations of p lelp provide f not have to consider tenure as a primary reason for evaluations. "You minimize the psychological pressure by placing the emphasis on structuring and improving the course." For this reason. Sederburg said, honors students' evaluations are available only to the dean at the professor's request. Each department, if they have evaluations, handles them dif Y PIP? m m IN1> Tur i nc F MORE' THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY DOORADMI THURSDAY.. FRIDAY ....$! SATURDAY.. SOON THESTONEY THE CAPITAL CABA l rofessors eedback ferently, Wesson said. The college of science and mathematics, for example, publishes a report of the professors' rating in each department. All student evaluations, whether originated by the professor or department, are used primarily to improve the quality of courses at the university, Wesson said. m l Acwcr AND THEY fKTE'S O IE CAPITAL CAE ? r? r Kta LASH rHAN 'JUST AN' PROGRESSIV GO APRIL 28 APRIL 29 AfKIL 3U SSIONS i I ..$3.00 ! 1.00 I ...$3.00 ! a BRANCH BAND NA MOTOR INN Exam schedule 9a.m. 2 p.m. Wed., May 11 MWF9:05 MWF 10:10 Thurs., May 12 TTH9:30 TTH 11:00 Fri., May 13 MWF 12:20 MWF 1:25 Sat., May 14 MWF8:00 MWF2:30 j Mon., May 16 TTH 3:30 MWF 11:15 Tues., May 17 TTH 12:30 TTH2:00 MWF 4:00 TTH 5:00 Wed., May 18 TTH 8:00 MWF3:35 t ran vi ipia 1 i run i nuvi f,RE BACK OVE LOUNGE JANA MOTOTR INN ENTS iRAfir BAND OTHER BAND' E COUNTRY AND r\rv /m i r\ Nu . \JU UL ixwv.i\ N KULL FREE BEER EACH NIGHT 9 pm until ? FREE BEER EACH NIGHT I clip coupon 1 *1.00 off i door admission ! I I with this coupon j 1 1901 ASSEMBLY 252-9301