It's our turn
For years now students have had the opportunity to go online and say what they want about their professors via websites like RateMyProfessors.com.
I'm OK with that except for the somewhat suspect category of "Easiness." Why is that rated with 5 as the highest score ? Is the best professor the easiest?
Comments like those below from reviews on the "Best Professor" list make me wonder what students think education is about:
"It's really difficult NOT to get an A!"
"Loved this guy. You show up for class, you give actual effort (hell even no effort even) and you get an A."
"I thin he's great and fun but can I say I truly learned anything from him? Not especially. Take him for a fun/easy/relaxing genral ed in between your hard core classes."
But that aside, the student ratings are probably helpful. I have no problems with those sites (despite my "0" on the "Hotness" scale.
Our turn
There's another option I just discovered, a site where professors talk about who they are and how they teach, KnowThyProfessor.
Here's the site introduction:
See what professors say about their teaching style, grading, and experience. Learn what you need to know before you invest your time, your money, and your energy into an entire semester’s class.
I like the fact that it humanizes us by asking things like "Are you currently involved in something interesting outside the classroom?" At the same time it includes specific teaching-related questions like "What is the most engaging assignment you give?" and "What materials and media do you use in the classroom?"
As of January 2012, only 33 colleges are represented. Cuyahoga Community College isn't one of them. Maybe I'll be the first to take this opportunity to tell students what to expect.
What do you think about this variation on RateMyProfessor?
