No.161 / Dec 12, 2022
Ajou University’s second-semester class evaluation period will take place from December 1 to January 2, 2023. A lecture evaluation is a questionnaire that investigates the overall satisfaction of lectures by receiving scores and comments on classes taken during the semester. Lectures with low scores have certain restrictions imposed on the professors in charge of the class. This allows students to focus on their studies while listening to improved classes. There is a rule that allows students to view their grades after the evaluation to prevent professors from receiving improper comments. This system not only prevents professors from being unfairly criticized, but also acts as an advantage of increasing the participation rate of students.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to say that the evaluation system is perfect. It has not been long since lecture evaluations were first implemented and there are still some factors that need to be rectified. The first problem is that the evaluation is too uniform. As students who have taken many classes during this semester know, there are differences in the way each lecturer conducts classes. Some professors use blackboards and ask students to memorize the content, while others conduct an entire class with only one presentation without taking notes. Not only is the way the class is conducted different, but the way they present the test is never the same either. Lecture evaluations do not take these differences into account. Second, schools should inform students in more detail what measures to take after the evaluation. In order to solve this problem, the university asks students to participate in additional class evaluations during the semester. Nevertheless, these solutions do not help much. Also, the university does not provide students with an accurate explanation of the effect of lecture evaluations. Therefore, students do not know how much change they can make if they participate in lecture evaluations with sincerity. This low expectation for evaluations lowers students’ motivation, which results in unreliable lecture evaluation results. Lastly, commercialization of lectures is also a problem. It is true that students have paid a legitimate tuition fee to attend class, and therefore should receive the corresponding rights—a high-quality education. However, despite this, it is not a desirable for students to treat lecturers as if they were writing product reviews after purchasing a product. Also, when the contents of such lecture evaluations are disclosed to students, while only anonymity is guaranteed, it instills prejudice in students. This vicious cycle can be stressful for professors.
The system of lecture evaluation itself can have a positive effect on students and professors if such evaluation systems are used well. Therefore, it is crucial that the university makes up for the shortcomings and develops assessments that are beneficial to everyone.
By Yang Ha-yoon, AG Reporter
purplei0454@ajou.ac.kr
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