Student Assessment of Instructors

Clemson University Student Evaluation of Teaching

Evaluation Report for Brian Croxall teaching ENGL 310 005 during Fall Semester 2009
Respondents = 6 Enrolled = 11 Response rate = 55%

Global Questions

G1. The instructor clearly communicated what I was expected to learn.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	3	50.00%	3	50.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	0.548	4.5	6
Same Level	4.305	0.962	5	833
Same Discipline	4.306	0.903	5	3341

G2. The instructor made the relevance of the course material clear.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	33.33%	4	66.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.667	0.516	5	6
Same Level	4.347	0.973	5	831
Same Discipline	4.280	0.940	5	3337

G3. The course was well organized.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.833	0.408	5	6
Same Level	4.179	1.075	5	834
Same Discipline	4.225	0.987	5	3331

G4. There was a positive interaction between the class and the instructor.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	16.67%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	1.225	5	6
Same Level	4.401	0.987	5	832
Same Discipline	4.481	0.856	5	3331

G5. The instructor's teaching methods helped me understand the course material.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	0	0.00%	4	66.67%	1	16.67%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.600	0.894	5	5
Same Level	4.129	1.126	5	830
Same Discipline	4.148	1.044	4	3326

G6. The instructor's verbal communication skills helped me understand the course material.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	6	100.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	5.000	0.000	5	6
Same Level	4.220	1.099	5	823
Same Discipline	4.265	0.993	5	3316

G7. The instructor clearly explained what was expected on assignments and tests

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	3	50.00%	2	33.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.167	0.753	4	6
Same Level	4.207	1.083	5	829
Same Discipline	4.254	1.003	5	3328

G8. The instructor kept me informed about my progress in the course.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	5	83.33%	1	16.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.167	0.408	4	6
Same Level	4.107	1.151	5	831
Same Discipline	3.989	1.125	4	3325

G9. The feedback I received on assignments and tests gave me the opportunity to improve my performance.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.833	0.408	5	6
Same Level	4.241	1.071	5	833
Same Discipline	4.212	1.012	5	3338

G10. Overall, the instructor is an effective teacher.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	33.33%	4	66.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.667	0.516	5	6
Same Level	4.298	1.013	5	829
Same Discipline	4.336	0.929	5	3319

G11. The instructor's grading procedures gave a fair evaluation of my understanding of the material.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	1	16.67%	4	66.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	0.837	5	6
Same Level	4.230	1.029	5	827
Same Discipline	4.196	0.994	4	3314

G12. How much work did you put into this course relative to your other courses?

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	2	33.33%	3	50.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	0.816	4.5	6
Same Level	3.813	1.014	4	832
Same Discipline	3.847	0.921	4	3328

G13. How difficult was this course for you relative to your other courses?

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	16.67%	0	0.00%	3	50.00%	1	16.67%	1	16.67%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	3.800	1.095	4	5
Same Level	3.227	1.176	3	834
Same Discipline	3.362	1.084	3	3331

G14. To what extent was this course a requirement for you?

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	6	100.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	5.000	0.000	5	6
Same Level	4.485	0.967	5	833
Same Discipline	4.329	1.005	5	3328

G15. Was this course in your major?

Type: Yes - No

Yes		No		NR
4	66.67%	2	33.33%	0	0.00%

G16. Was this course team-taught?

Type: Yes - No

Yes		No		NR
0	0.00%	6	100.00%	0	0.00%

G17. Please indicate your satisfaction with the availability of the instructor outside the classroom by choosing one response from the scale. In selecting your rating, consider the instructor's availability via established office hours, appointments, and other opportunities for face-to-face interaction as well as via telephone, email, fax and other means.

Type: Satisfaction

1		2		3		4		NR
0	0.00%	1	16.67%	2	33.33%	3	50.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
This Class	3.333	0.816	3.5	6
Same Level	3.562	0.704	4	834
Same Discipline	3.607	0.634	4	3337

G18. Please comment on the strengths of the instructor and the course.

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	The assigned readings spanned over different kinds of literature. Common mistakes on papers written were talked about in class, very helpful.
#2 -	Had a lot of good and interesting things to say about the readings. Didn\'t slack off in grading and gave valuable feedback on papers.
#3 -	Dr. Croxall taught in a very upbeat, fun way that made the class enjoyable. He does a good job of leading class discussions about literature.
#4 -	Not only was the instructor clearly interested in what he was teaching, his method of teaching was very engaging. Not once, out of the entire semester, did I ever want to skip his class, because I knew that I was going to learn something interesting and get to put my two cents on whatever we were covering that week out into the open.
#5 -	Knowledgeable about material and other related aspects
#6 -	Dr. Croxall made this class very interesting. He always had good insight to the novels and poems we were reading, and made sure that the class spoke as well.

G19. Please comment on the weaknesses of the instructor and the course.

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	Occasional tangents, but interesting tangents!
#2 -	I think at first I didn\'t know quite what to expect but once I understood how the papers were going to work it was easier to work for the grade I wished to achieve.
#3 -	Sometimes he asks questions that are hard to find what kind of answer he wants.
#4 -	I guess if I had to choose a weakness, it was just the office hours. That\'s not really something that\'s his fault, though. Commuting from Atlanta doesn\'t really allow much flexibility for that. To clarify, though, that never once effected my ability to complete the coursework. If I absolutely needed to get in touch with him, it was possible, and any questions I asked were answered to the best possible extent.
#5 -	Somewhat rude to particular students in class and emails

G20. Please comment on any teaching methods you found particularly helpful, and suggest alternative methods that you feel would improve the course.

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	Dr. Croxall gently prodded us along, the way he wanted us to. Interaction in the class was a plus and worked very well.
#2 -	The blog was sometimes a pain but definitely effective. It made me think about things I wouldn\'t have otherwise thought about.
#3 -	He does a good job of allowing us to chime in and express our views of the literature while getting at the point of the poem/prose we are reading. But the blog was hard to keep up with. Maybe extend the time period of its due date to the morning of class instead of almost 24 hours before.
#4 -	At the beginning of the semester, I had my doubts about blogging weekly on the reading materials, but now that I\'ve reached the end of the semester, I fully support this method of teaching. Not only did it require me to read the material closely enough to develop my own opinion, it allowed me to share my feelings on the novel outside of class on more or less my own time. I would suggest a more relaxed way of making deadlines for the blog, but I also understand that having several students doesn\'t really allow for the most accommodating deadlines.
#5 -	the course is fine and this teaching is fine, but needs to work on his interactions with students

G21. I would recommend this instructor to a friend. Yes or no? Why?

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	Yes, the readings were interesting and the assignments were not overwhelming.
#2 -	Yes. Although I found this course particularly difficult, I\'ve learned a lot and it has been rewarding along the way.
#3 -	Yes because I enjoyed the class and the reading. He is a good teacher.
#4 -	Absolutely. In fact, not only would I recommend this course to a friend, I\'m taking another of his courses next semester. Having a professor that clearly has a sincere interest in what they\'re teaching and the ability to communicate that interest to their students is a real asset to a student.
#5 -	Yes, he is a good instructor. I learned a lot
#6 -	yes, Dr. Croxall is one of the most interesting professors I\'ve had at Clemson, and he seems to really enjoy teaching.

Departmental Questions

D1. I learned to apply principles from this course to other contexts.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.833	0.408	5	6
Same Level	4.097	1.059	4	815
Same Discipline	3.932	1.057	4	3177

D2. I developed more confidence in my ability to communicate effectively through writing.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	4	66.67%	1	16.67%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.800	0.447	5	5
Same Level	4.071	1.097	4	815
Same Discipline	3.959	1.052	4	3176

D3. As a part of my overall course load, this course was a priority to me.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	2	33.33%	3	50.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	0.816	4.5	6
Same Level	3.586	1.232	4	814
Same Discipline	3.558	1.135	4	3176

D4. This course challenged me intellectually.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	3	50.00%	3	50.00%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	0.548	4.5	6
Same Level	3.595	1.249	4	815
Same Discipline	3.791	1.100	4	3176

D5. The instructor is enthusiastic about the course material.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	33.33%	4	66.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.667	0.516	5	6
Same Level	4.515	0.867	5	810
Same Discipline	4.527	0.789	5	3166

D6. The instructor treats students with respect.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	16.67%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	1.225	5	6
Same Level	4.654	0.741	5	815
Same Discipline	4.643	0.728	5	3170

D7. The instructor makes me feel free to ask questions.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.833	0.408	5	6
Same Level	4.606	0.844	5	809
Same Discipline	4.595	0.790	5	3160

D8. The instructor sets high standards for students.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.833	0.408	5	6
Same Level	4.360	0.867	5	812
Same Discipline	4.324	0.811	5	3158

D9. The assigned reading is well integrated into the course.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	33.33%	4	66.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.667	0.516	5	6
Same Level	3.876	1.239	4	807
Same Discipline	4.107	1.078	4	3154

D10. The assigned writing is well integrated into the course.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	16.67%	5	83.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.833	0.408	5	6
Same Level	4.331	1.001	5	813
Same Discipline	4.269	0.961	5	3170

D11. What did you find most valuable and helpful about the course?

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	The discussion of common mistakes in papers.
#2 -	Learning to look at texts not just for face value.
#3 -	I enjoyed the variety of literature we read and it was interesting to see all sorts of poems and prose that express so many different views about life.
#4 -	The close readings and expectations of turning that close reading into a well constructed paper or blog legitimately bettered my writing skills. I\'ve had several english courses, and only a select few honestly improved my writing skills. This was one of those courses.

D12. What would you like to see changed in subsequent offerings of this course?

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	It is required for English majors and minors, so I am glad that they added additional sections. It was hard to get in.
#2 -	Opportunity for extra credit.
#3 -	It would be nice if the blog posting could be less frequent. It was difficult to keep up with some weeks.
#4 -	I guess if I had to choose something, it\'d just be a more relaxed deadline for the blogging, but that\'s not really that much of an issue, to be honest.