Metrics & Evaluations

metrics & evaluations

Student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are fraught with problematic issues. Woman and marginalized teachers endure abusive comments each semester and receive comparatively lower scores (Smibert, 2017; Jones, et al., 2014; Tucker, 2014; Adams, et al., 2021; Valencia, 2021; Boring, et al., 2016; Fan, et al., 2019; Heffernan, 2021). Ben Schmidt created an interactive chart on gendered language using reviews from RateMyProfessor.

It’s with this knowledge that I post my own evaluation metrics and selected comments, as well as an archive of my evaluations from graduate school.


SET Metrics

For semester evaluations* at Missouri S&T, students use a Likert scale (0 to 4) to rate statements. Students are asked to rate instructors on the following qualities or behaviors:

Knowledgeable About Subject Matter

TermCourseResponses/EnrolledRating
FS24ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies19/203.89
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 2560: Technical Marketing Communication10/173.90
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 3550: Writing for Social Media11/113.91
FS26ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies15/183.93

Provides Constructive Feedback

TermCourseResponses/EnrolledRating
FS24ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies19/203.58
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 2560: Technical Marketing Communication10/173.80
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 3550: Writing for Social Media11/114.00
FS26ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies15/183.73

Accessible

TermCourseResponses/EnrolledRating
FS24ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies19/203.79
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 2560: Technical Marketing Communication10/173.90
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 3550: Writing for Social Media10/114.00
FS26ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies14/183.79

Attentive to Student Learning

TermCourseResponses/EnrolledRating
FS24ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies18/203.78
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 2560: Technical Marketing Communication10/173.70
SS25ENGL/TCHCOM 3550: Writing for Social Media11/113.91
FS26ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies15/183.67

* Due to limitations of the software being used to collect SETs, 8-week courses receive delayed or incomplete feedback. For this reason, the following courses are excluded from these tables:

  • SS26: ENGL/TCHCOM 3591: Writing for the Games Industry
  • SS26: ENGL/TCHCOM 3593: Creating Narrative Games

Selected Student Comments

ENGL/TCHCOM 3590: Game Studies

“dr. vb is incredibly knowledgeable on the field of Game Studies and conveys the importance, history, and key ideas/issues within the field in a very engaging way. She does an incredible job cultivating a learning environment that values and emphasizes the lived experiences of students and allows them to be a core part of how students engage with the material. Her class furthered my interest in seeking employment in the field of video game writing post–graduation.” FS24

“Knowledgeable in her field, respectful to students, extremely engaging, and willing to help us improve.” FS24

“Creates a very community based learning environment where it is largely dependent on students throwing out ideas and having a large class discussion which is very cool. Explaining and talking over gameplay where the topics are shown is fun and very engaging. Interesting topics as well.” FS25

“dr. v. is very engaging and asks the class several lead–in questions that get them thinking beyond a possible box they may have placed themselves in. She is attentive to her students’ needs and she is very good at making sure everyone is learning what is needed to succeed in class.” FS25

ENGL/TCHCOM 2560: Technical Marketing Communication

“She’s knowledgeable in technology and understanding of modern–day marketing principles. She is also very supportive of students but very fair, meaning she will help if you are struggling but not to where it would be unfair for the rest of the class.” SS25

“She strives to provide an inclusive and engaging environment and feels it is important to get to know the students she is teaching.” SS25

ENGL/TCHCOM 3550: Writing for Social Media

“Dr. braegger’s strengths are her compassion and teaching style. She is often in high spirits and keeps the classroom engaging.” SS25

“She is good at providing feedback and creating engaging and relevant assignments within the constraints of the course objectives. She is also generally positive, uplifting, and comedic.” SS25

“Very in tune to student needs. Cares about her students, and makes an effort to communicate with them. Is very accessible.” SS25