Student Assessment of Instructors

Clemson University Student Evaluation of Teaching

Evaluation Report for Brian Croxall teaching ENGL 399 001 during Spring Semester 2010
Respondents = 9 Enrolled = 19 Response rate = 47%

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%	1	11.11%	4	44.44%	4	44.44%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	0.707	4	9
Same Level	4.216	1.050	5	936
Same Discipline	4.251	0.987	5	3014

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%	1	11.11%	4	44.44%	4	44.44%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	0.707	4	9
Same Level	4.245	1.058	5	936
Same Discipline	4.230	1.011	5	3010

G3. The course was well organized.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	11.11%	1	11.11%	3	33.33%	4	44.44%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.111	1.054	4	9
Same Level	4.086	1.140	4	933
Same Discipline	4.193	1.056	5	3007

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	22.22%	1	11.11%	6	66.67%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.444	0.882	5	9
Same Level	4.314	1.088	5	928
Same Discipline	4.419	0.948	5	2989

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	11.11%	0	0.00%	3	33.33%	5	55.56%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	1.000	5	9
Same Level	4.012	1.205	4	931
Same Discipline	4.096	1.113	4	2999

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	11.11%	0	0.00%	3	33.33%	5	55.56%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	1.000	5	9
Same Level	4.141	1.171	5	928
Same Discipline	4.222	1.067	5	2991

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	11.11%	0	0.00%	3	33.33%	5	55.56%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	1.000	5	9
Same Level	4.172	1.144	5	931
Same Discipline	4.187	1.092	5	2996

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	2	22.22%	1	11.11%	3	33.33%	3	33.33%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	3.778	1.202	4	9
Same Level	4.144	1.082	4	930
Same Discipline	3.966	1.142	4	2994

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%	2	22.22%	0	0.00%	7	77.78%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.556	0.882	5	9
Same Level	4.201	1.089	5	931
Same Discipline	4.122	1.087	4	2997

G10. Overall, the instructor is an effective teacher.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	11.11%	3	33.33%	5	55.56%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.444	0.726	5	9
Same Level	4.202	1.138	5	933
Same Discipline	4.262	1.049	5	2997

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	11.11%	4	44.44%	4	44.44%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.333	0.707	4	9
Same Level	4.189	1.060	5	929
Same Discipline	4.149	1.073	4	2985

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
1	11.11%	0	0.00%	2	22.22%	2	22.22%	4	44.44%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	3.889	1.364	4	9
Same Level	3.784	1.049	4	932
Same Discipline	3.814	0.968	4	2993

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	11.11%	3	33.33%	4	44.44%	1	11.11%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	3.556	0.882	4	9
Same Level	3.181	1.180	3	934
Same Discipline	3.299	1.100	3	3002

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%	5	55.56%	4	44.44%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.444	0.527	4	9
Same Level	4.412	1.010	5	930
Same Discipline	4.317	1.024	5	2996

G15. Was this course in your major?

Type: Yes - No

Yes		No		NR
6	66.67%	3	33.33%	0	0.00%

G16. Was this course team-taught?

Type: Yes - No

Yes		No		NR
0	0.00%	9	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	11.11%	1	11.11%	7	77.78%	0	0.00%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
This Class	3.667	0.707	4	9
Same Level	3.529	0.752	4	936
Same Discipline	3.558	0.697	4	3010

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

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	Good at communicating to the class about what was expected for the assignments. Wiki notes were good for tests
#2 -	Croxall is a very down to earth Professor who is very knowledgeable. But unlike other Professors I've had he doesn't use that knowledge to make you feel inferior but rather teaches in such a way that makes you really feel like he cares about YOU learning
#3 -	Obviously knows the material well.
#4 -	Croxall has basically spoiled me when it comes to what I expect from a class. He somehow managed to make a survey course not only interesting, but also have an over-arching narrative that united all of the material that we were supposed to cover. He is an engaging lecturer and managed to steer class discussions so we made the most of our time. He is incredibly knowledgeable about his subject (and many more, I'll warrant), but open to new and different interpretations. Plus, the Timeline assignment, although a bit tedious at first, was cool as hell.
#5 -	Dr. Croxall is a great Professor! His classes are anything but easy but this is my second time taking him because I learned so much. I thought everything that we read in this course was worthwhile. The entire semester I can't even pick out one thing I really hated reading. I genuinely enjoyed everything we read even when I thought I wouldn't.
#6 -	Brian Croxall is a god among men. I think he's a great communicator and knows his stuff. Especially Hemingway.
#7 -	Dr. Croxall was fluent in this subject and really seemed to konw what he was talking about. He tried to incorporate history into whatever it was that we were reading
#8 -	I think Dr. Croxall teaches in a very effective manner that allows his students to succeed, given they put in the work. His teaching strategies are very effective, for me at least, and he covers material in ways that are interesting and interactive. I think he does a great job at providing feedback and helping students with whatever they need. My favorite material that was implemented into class would probably be the readings from Hemingway, Frost, Fitzgerald, Whitman, Twain, Gilman, Barthelme, Jewett, and Miller. I particularly enjoyed the lesson on "The Balloon" and it was very interesting how Dr. Croxall implemented GoogleEarth into the lesson so we could see things in a real-life perspective. My favorite lesson, however, would probably have to be those on "Death of a Salesman". It is one of my favorite, as well as one of the best, pieces of literature that I feel should not be left out of future syllabi along with Hemingway, Frost, Fitzgerald, Whitman, and Twain, who are some of the biggest names in American literature. Dr. Croxall always made class interesting; I never wanted to miss class. Dr. Croxall has been one of the best teachers I have ever had and has ignited, in me, a passion for literature that I did not have going into his class. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

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

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	Could not get through all the planned material in a given class day
#3 -	Takes too long to set up the texts with historical context; assigns too many readings to cover in a class periods; gets angry when the class doesn't want to contribute after a 20 minute history lecture.
#4 -	Croxall's syllabus was too ambitious, which made some days pretty stressful as we skipped over some things and rearranged others. It would have been nice to discuss everything he assigned, but it's not humanly possible in the time we were allotted.
#5 -	Needs to update Blackboard with grades more frequently.
#6 -	Brian Croxall's biggest weaknesses are that he cares too much, slacks off too little, and spends too much time on twitter.
#7 -	Dr. Croxall wanted us to know the material just as well as he did which was impossible considering the fact that we do not have a doctorate like he does. For example, in grading his paper and exams, they had to be perfect just to be given a 'B'
#8 -	I didn't really recognize any that truly matter. He knows his stuff and does a great job of teaching it.

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
#2 -	I really liked being able to use Twitter as a method of discussion in class.
#3 -	Twitter in class was a nice experiment, but a failure. I thought the wikinotes were a good idea and very helpful later on.
#4 -	I liked how Croxall framed each class with historical and other types of information. It allowed me to make connections between different class days and also think about the readings in a productive way. It also gave our class discussions direction, which is hard to do when you cram a bunch of English majors into one room.
#5 -	I loved class discussions and they were always helpful for me to re-hash what I had read and how to look deeper into it.
#6 -	This course was perfect in every way. Each day I stepped into his classroom I felt a warmth emanate throughout my being. When I heard he was headed for Emory a little part of my soul broke off and crumbled to the ground like one of Cookie Monster's cookies.
#7 -	It was helpful that Dr. Croxall gave us assignments to balance out his harsh grading on exams and papers. I would suggest that he not allow his students to use twitter during his class. Because 9 times out of 10, everyone was doing everything but twitter and surely not listening to him.

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

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#1 -	Yes, interesting course
#3 -	Depends on the friend--English major friend, yes. After the class you have read a lot and the material/tests are not too hard.
#4 -	Absolutely, but only if they're willing to work.
#5 -	Definitely. Tough, but fair and you learn a lot.
#6 -	Yes. Brian Croxall can slam a revolving door.
#7 -	I would recommend Dr. Croxall to a friend but only if they take him for the 310 course. That way, they will know what to expect before they jump into his class.
#8 -	Absolutely, because he is a great instructor and a cool guy.

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%	1	11.11%	2	22.22%	5	55.56%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	0.756	5	8
Same Level	4.099	1.062	4	915
Same Discipline	3.938	1.075	4	2922

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%	1	11.11%	2	22.22%	5	55.56%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	0.756	5	8
Same Level	4.030	1.123	4	915
Same Discipline	3.956	1.098	4	2917

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%	1	11.11%	2	22.22%	1	11.11%	4	44.44%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.000	1.195	4.5	8
Same Level	3.503	1.211	4	917
Same Discipline	3.578	1.155	4	2926

D4. This course challenged me intellectually.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	11.11%	3	33.33%	4	44.44%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.375	0.744	4.5	8
Same Level	3.473	1.241	4	917
Same Discipline	3.709	1.146	4	2920

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	22.22%	6	66.67%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.750	0.463	5	8
Same Level	4.430	0.967	5	914
Same Discipline	4.478	0.886	5	2913

D6. The instructor treats students with respect.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	0	0.00%	1	11.11%	2	22.22%	5	55.56%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.500	0.756	5	8
Same Level	4.529	0.916	5	911
Same Discipline	4.583	0.822	5	2913

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
1	11.11%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	22.22%	4	44.44%	2	22.22%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.143	1.464	5	7
Same Level	4.510	0.923	5	912
Same Discipline	4.555	0.839	5	2906

D8. The instructor sets high standards for students.

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
0	0.00%	1	11.11%	0	0.00%	2	22.22%	5	55.56%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.375	1.061	5	8
Same Level	4.281	0.907	5	910
Same Discipline	4.309	0.852	4	2907

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%	3	33.33%	5	55.56%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.625	0.518	5	8
Same Level	3.811	1.228	4	913
Same Discipline	4.078	1.117	4	2905

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

Type: Agreement

1		2		3		4		5		NR
1	11.11%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	2	22.22%	5	55.56%	1	11.11%

Focus	Mean	Stdev	Median	Observations
Class	4.250	1.389	5	8
Same Level	4.217	1.037	5	918
Same Discipline	4.242	0.991	5	2923

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

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#3 -	The readings.
#4 -	I liked being taught how to think about different literary movements in terms of one another rather than just in terms of the texts that fall within them. And I'll admit that it was helpful to learn to use Google Docs. The Wiki notes were a lifesaver.
#5 -	That Dr. Croxall has online office hours and availability on the course wiki for help.
#6 -	I think this course did a good job of giving a comprehensive selection of literature that reflected the many different literary movements throughout the later half of american lit.
#7 -	I found it helpful that Dr. Croxall gave us background information about the texts we were reading. I also thought it was helpful that he gave us assignments like the timeline to help us broaden our horizons.
#8 -	Literature is amazing. That's what is most valuable.

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

Type: Essay

Student	Comments
#3 -	Narrow the readings.
#4 -	Trim. Down. The. Syllabus. Nobody likes to see frustrated why-couldn't-we-get-to-the-other-nine-texts-we-were-supposed-to-read-today-in-an-hour-and-fifteen-minutes professor.
#5 -	Nothing
#6 -	Having laptops open in class was fun. I often stumbleuponned many things. And therein lies the problem.
#8 -	Not a thing.