Spring Break
Web site grades SJSU teachers
Kris Anderson
Issue date: 10/17/06 Section: News
"Online rating places like Ratemyprofessors.com or Consumerreports.com appeal to those enraged or enraptured," Meldal said.
The emotional responses of the Web site, he said, are not qualitative because the online forum is unlikely to provide unbiased results.
Although some professors on campus question the accuracy of the ratings, some students view the service as a valuable tool.
"I've used (Ratemyprofessors.com) pretty often," said Ngan Nguyen, a junior majoring in occupational therapy.
She said the written testimonials on teachers posted by students helped more than the numerical grades in the areas of easiness, helpfulness, clarity and rater interest.
"Most of my professors have been good to some degree because of Ratemyprofessors," she said.
Lisa Bigelow, a senior psychology major, said it's a better choice for students to use the site.
"With classes that have a variety of times, it becomes a very useful tool," she said.
Geology professor Don Reed, who checks his ratings regularly, said the site doesn't accurately relay student opinion.
"In theory, (Ratemyprofessors.com) may have merit," Reed said. "But in practice, it's not an accurate reflection of the course."
Reed, echoing Sigurd Meldal, contends that students tend only to post on the site when angry or happy with a professor, as opposed to judging teaching methods or course effectiveness.
Reed claims the site is statistically inaccurate due to a small sample size of respondents.
"How can you rate a class when only 1 or 2 percent of students respond?" Reed said.
Nagle disagreed, saying, "How can you judge accuracy of one's opinion?"
He thought the service his Web site supplies is a student right.
"I believe students are consumers of college," Nagle said. "And when they have to pay money for (their education), they should have the right to know about their professors."
Despite both praise and criticism from some faculty members and students, Reed and Meldal agree that the SOTEs, give more objective and accurate feedback for grading professors.
The emotional responses of the Web site, he said, are not qualitative because the online forum is unlikely to provide unbiased results.
Although some professors on campus question the accuracy of the ratings, some students view the service as a valuable tool.
"I've used (Ratemyprofessors.com) pretty often," said Ngan Nguyen, a junior majoring in occupational therapy.
She said the written testimonials on teachers posted by students helped more than the numerical grades in the areas of easiness, helpfulness, clarity and rater interest.
"Most of my professors have been good to some degree because of Ratemyprofessors," she said.
Lisa Bigelow, a senior psychology major, said it's a better choice for students to use the site.
"With classes that have a variety of times, it becomes a very useful tool," she said.
Geology professor Don Reed, who checks his ratings regularly, said the site doesn't accurately relay student opinion.
"In theory, (Ratemyprofessors.com) may have merit," Reed said. "But in practice, it's not an accurate reflection of the course."
Reed, echoing Sigurd Meldal, contends that students tend only to post on the site when angry or happy with a professor, as opposed to judging teaching methods or course effectiveness.
Reed claims the site is statistically inaccurate due to a small sample size of respondents.
"How can you rate a class when only 1 or 2 percent of students respond?" Reed said.
Nagle disagreed, saying, "How can you judge accuracy of one's opinion?"
He thought the service his Web site supplies is a student right.
"I believe students are consumers of college," Nagle said. "And when they have to pay money for (their education), they should have the right to know about their professors."
Despite both praise and criticism from some faculty members and students, Reed and Meldal agree that the SOTEs, give more objective and accurate feedback for grading professors.
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