Some Humor About Student Evaluations

"A Quick Guide to Understanding Student Evaluations"
by Craig Bowman, Ph.D.

Comment: The course was a disappointment to me.
Interpretation: They told me this was an easy course.

C:	The book was difficult to read.
I:	The book needed more cartoons.

C:	Assignments were too long for those of us with outside jobs.
I:	I didn't have time to waste doing assignments because I'm vitally needed at work; the French fryer keeps breaking down.

C:	You are the best instructor I've ever had.
I:	I missed an A by one point and I was hoping...

C:	The lectures were highly structured.
I:	Thanks for spelling those hard words on the board for us.

C:	The tests were too hard.
I:	Nobody told me I had to study to pass.

C:	The tests were too easy.
I:	... for someone with MY superior ability.

C:	I learned a lot.
I:	I missed a B by one point and I was hoping...

C:	You did a marvelous job of presenting many contrasting theories and ideas.
I:	Thank God you didn't drone on and on about your own stupid research.

C:	Assignments were not graded fairly.
I:	Since this wasn't an English course, I don't think it was fair to take off marks for spelling.

C:	I wish I had done better in your course.
I:	Boy! Are Mom and Dad gonna freak when they see this grade!

C:	I was not motivated to do my best.
I:	Clearly it is YOUR fault I'm flunking.

C:	The instructor needs to add humor to his lectures.
I:	Not one sex or drug joke the whole time!

C:	You should encourage more classroom participation.
I:	Just what is so wrong about talking to my friends during your lecture?

C:	My grade does not reflect what I have learned in this course.
I:	I missed a passing grade by one point and I was hoping...

From the book Primal Whimper: More Readings From the Journal of Polymorphous Perversity, edited by Glenn C. Ellenbogen, Ph.D.

Last Updated: 19 February 1997