student evaluations: summaries and recent full reports ...(representative questions; 5 = strongly...

Student Evaluations: Summaries and Recent Full Reports: Caitlin R. Brenner

Qualitative Summary of Student Evaluations

“Ms. Brenner was by far the best English teacher I've had. She actually motivated me to try new things in

my writing as well as improved my overall writing skills. She never discriminated against any topics her

students chose and provided feedback after every assignment. She made the class a great learning

experience.”

“The ability to write about interests applying to our majors or other classes made me want to learn the

material more so that I could apply it somehow in my life.”

“Honestly, she was amazing! She incorporated so many aspects into the course (guest speakers on film

adaptation, library visits to view actual manuscripts, peer-reviewing papers, etc.), and it never got boring

while we had class discussions; she actively employed our discussions!”

“The class was built around four essays. Each essay built on lessons learned from the assigned readings,

class discussions, and previous essays and demonstrated a reasonable trend toward greater complexity. I

tend to form my opinions of classes based on how useful they are to me. As an engineering major, I was

skeptical of the value going in. The course gave me a pleasant surprise as the instructor worked toward a

greater understanding of writing and helped me improve my ability.”

“I really liked how enthusiastic the instructor seemed. She seemed to really care about the students and

her form of grading was helpful. She graded us on progress and whether our writing improved, not

whether it was good and that's very helpful. I think that's a great way to teach a class.”

“While I know expecting an instructor in a full 100+ lecture to know your name is a bit much, even in my

classes where it was more one on one the instructor never really recognized me. With Professor Brenner I

was honestly surprised how she knew each of our names, and she just created a classroom environment

that was extremely welcoming. I would recommend her to absolutely anyone and you can tell she enjoys

teaching the course.”

“This course and instructor helped me see writing in a different way. I very much enjoyed going to this 8

AM class.”

“This class was so much better than I expected. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I was excited to get up

in the mornings to see what we were discussing. She respects her students’ opinions and respectfully

corrects them if they are wrong. She goes above and beyond to help her students and tries to pull material

that will interest all types of students. She got to know us on an individual level and overall made the

class very enjoyable.”

Brenner Evaluations 2

Quantitative Summary of Student Evaluations

(representative questions; 5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)

Overall The instructor

seemed well

prepared for

each class.

The instructor

seemed to

care whether

the students

learned.

I believe this

instructor

was an

effective

teacher.

The course

was well-

organized.

Rhetoric and Composition

(Spring 2018)

4.65 4.84 4.95 4.74 4.79

Arthurian Literature

(Fall 2017)

4.73 4.84 4.95 4.79 4.74

Writing About Literature

(Fall 2016)

4.76 4.86 5 4.86 4.71

Technical Writing (online)

(Summer 2016)

4.57 4.67 4.5 4.67 4.67

Rhetoric of Style

(Spring 2016)

4.73 4.82 4.88 4.59 4.44


(Fall 2015)

4.54 4.78 4.56 4.89 4.56


(Summer 2015)

4.36 4.8 4.2 4.6 4.6


(Spring 2015)

4.69 4.75 4.75 4.88 4.5


(Spring 2015)

4.77 4.8 5 4.8 4.7


(Fall 2015)

4.54 4.78 4.56 4.89 4.56


(Fall 2015)

4.79 4.89 4.89 4.89 4.78


(Fall 2014)

4.45 4.7 4.7 4.6 4.6


(Summer 2014)

4.91 5 5 5 5


Statistical Summary

Texas A&M University, College Station Spring 2018

ENGL 104 520 End-of-Term

Caitlin R. Brenner

Demographics

Total Number of Evaluations Submitted: 19

Total Number of Students Enrolled in the Class: 25

Percentage of students who submitted an evaluation: 76.00%

Response No. of Responses

Percentage

College:

AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

4 21.05

Education 2 10.53

Engineering 4 21.05

Liberal Arts 2 10.53

MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL 4 21.05

VETERINARY MEDICINE 3 15.79

Classification:

FRESHMAN 7 36.84

SOPHOMORE 12 63.16

Is This Course Required?

Yes 19 100.00

Expected Grade in Course:

A 9 47.37

B 10 52.63

Sex:

FEMALE 9 47.37

MALE 10 52.63

Items

The following items were used in the appraisal for this section. Mean scores are calculated on a 5

point basis: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1.


A = Strongly Agree B = Agree C = Undecided D = Disagree E = Strongly Disagree

Items Resp. A B C D E Mean StDev

The instructor seemed well prepared for each class.

19 N

%

16

84.21

3

15.79

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.84

0.365

The instructor seemed to care whether the students learned.

19 N

%

18

94.74

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.95

0.223

The instructor seemed enthusiastic about the material that was presented.

19 N

%

18

94.74

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.95

0.223

The instructor stimulated my interest in the subject.

19 N

%

9

47.37

7

36.84

3

15.79

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.32

0.729

The instructor's presentations added to my understanding of the material.

19 N

%

11

57.89

6

31.58

2

10.53

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.47

0.678

The instructor adequately answered questions from students.

19 N

%

14

73.68

5

26.32

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.74

0.440

I believe this instructor was an effective teacher.

19 N

%

14

73.68

5

26.32

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.74

0.440

The exams/projects were presented and graded fairly.

19 N

%

9

47.37

7

36.84

3

15.79

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.32

0.729

Help was readily available for questions and/or homework outside of class.

19 N 13 4 2 0 0 4.58


%

68.42

21.05

10.53

0.00

0.00

0.674

On the whole, this is a good instructor.

19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408

I would take another course from this professor.

19 N

%

12

63.16

4

21.05

3

15.79

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.47

0.752

The course was well-organized. 19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408

The course requirements were clear.

19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408

The amount of work and/or reading was reasonable for the credit hours received in the course.

19 N

%

12

63.16

6

31.58

0

0.00

1

5.26

0

0.00

4.53

0.752

On the whole, this was a good course.

19 N

%

10

52.63

8

42.11

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.47

0.595

Overall Mean *Overall Mean score does not include instructor selected

items.

4.65


Item Comments

Items on the Appraisal


Comments from Students

1. [A] Always had classes prepared, knew what we were gonna do.

2. [B] She was pretty good about being prepared for class, you could tell she put forth effort in planning for class.

3. [B] Certain activities in class could have moved more smoothly, but Dr. Brenner was always able to keep the class moving forward with the course material.



1. [A] Always asked us if we had any extra questions, comments, concerns.

2. [A] Would always offer the help needed

3. [A] When Dr. Brenner noticed problems in our writing, she prepared special lectures to teach the points we had forgotten.



1. [A] Always enthusiastic.

2. [A] It was super obvious that she loved English and enjoyed teaching us.

3. [A] Dr. Brenner showed a real interest in the lessons that helped her convey information to us.



1. [A] Usually don't like writing, now am looking forward to writing papers in the future.

2. [A] She always gave examples that were relatable and kept class interesting.

3. [A] The experience in this class represented a complete reversal from my English classes in high school. The material of the course was focused on specific writing mechanics and our abilities. We constantly received useful feedback on our writing. My high school classes showed no direction or productive results.



1. [B] PowerPoint slides could be improved

2. [A] Her "mini lectures" were actually super helpful.



There were no comments for this item.



1. [A] Would take again in a heartbeat if I could

2. [A] The effort that Dr. Brenner applied to finding and correcting issues in the class's writing set her apart from many of the professors I have had.



1. [A] I loved how strictly she stuck to the rubric.

2. [B] Each graded essay had a marked rubric attached. The feedback given was helpful in writing the next essays.



1. [C] I did not have questions for which I needed to contact the professor outside of class.



1. [A] Dr. Brenner cared about our learning and had the skills to make her effort count.



The course was well-organized.


1. [A] The class was built around four essays. Each essay built on lessons learned from the assigned readings, class discussions, and previous essays and demonstrated a reasonable trend toward greater complexity.



1. [B] The syllabus and rubrics for each essay were readily available. We knew how we would be graded.



1. [A] This course did not dominate my schedule or feel like it was too light.




1. [B] I tend to form my opinions of classes based on how useful they are to me. As an engineering major, I was skeptical of the value going in. The course gave me a pleasant surprise as the instructor worked toward a greater understanding of writing and helped me improve my ability.

Essay Question Comments

Essay Questions on the Appraisal

Please add your overall thoughts on the course and instructor.

1. I think the professor did well with the course. The only problem i had was the amount of work presented in such a short amount of time along with all the other work i had for other classes. It was tough to get an assignment on one day and go over it a bit in class and it be due the next meeting.

2. Extremely well spoken and a great teacher!

3. I loved her, she helped me with my overall writing skills

4. Overall, great instructor! She had so much passion for English and I've felt myself grow extensively as a writer.

5. While I know expecting an instructor in a full 100+ lecture to know your name is a bit much, even in my classes where it was more one on one the instructor never really recognized me. With Professor Brenner I was honestly surprised how she knew each of our names, and she just created a classroom environment that was extremely welcoming. I would recommend her to absolutely anyone and you can tell she enjoys teaching the course.


Statistical Summary

Texas A&M University, College Station Fall 2017

ENGL 330 500 End-of-Term

Caitlin R. Brenner

Demographics

Total Number of Evaluations Submitted: 19

Total Number of Students Enrolled in the Class: 31

Percentage of students who submitted an evaluation: 61.29%

Response No. of Responses

Percentage

College:

EDUCATION 1 5.26

LIBERAL ARTS 18 94.74

Classification:

SOPHOMORE 1 5.26

JUNIOR 6 31.58

SENIOR 12 63.16

Is This Course Required?

Yes 9 47.37

No 10 52.63

Expected Grade in Course:

A 13 68.42

B 5 26.32

C 1 5.26

Sex:

FEMALE 14 73.68

MALE 5 26.32

Items

The following items were used in the appraisal for this section. Mean scores are calculated on a 5

point basis: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1.


A = Strongly Agree B = Agree C = Undecided D = Disagree E = Strongly Disagree

Items Resp. A B C D E Mean StDev


19 N

%

16

84.21

3

15.79

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.84

0.365


19 N

%

18

94.74

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.95

0.223


19 N

%

19

100.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

5

0.000


19 N

%

15

78.95

3

15.79

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.74

0.547


19 N

%

12

63.16

5

26.32

1

5.26

1

5.26

0

0.00

4.47

0.819


19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408


19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408


19 N

%

13

68.42

6

31.58

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.68

0.465


19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408



19 N

%

15

78.95

4

21.05

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.79

0.408


19 N

%

15

78.95

2

10.53

2

10.53

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.68

0.653

The course was well-organized. 19 N

%

14

73.68

5

26.32

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.74

0.440


19 N

%

14

73.68

4

21.05

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.68

0.567


19 N

%

9

47.37

7

36.84

2

10.53

1

5.26

0

0.00

4.26

0.849


18 N

%

13

72.22

5

27.78

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.72

0.448

The amount of work required is appropriate for the credit received.

19 N

%

10

52.63

8

42.11

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.47

0.595

The course challenged me to think. 19 N

%

15

78.95

3

15.79

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.74

0.547

The instructor has a realistic definition of good performance.

19 N

%

14

73.68

5

26.32

0

0.00

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.74

0.440

Written assignments require a reasonable amount of time and effort.

19 N

%

12

63.16

6

31.58

1

5.26

0

0.00

0

0.00

4.58

0.591

Overall Mean *Overall Mean score does not include instructor selected items. 4.73


Item Comments

Items on the Appraisal



1. [B] She a loose idea of what we would be doing in class. Sometimes class ran smoothly and we used all fifty minutes and other times we lingered on quiz questions that we went over.

2. [A] She has usually looked over the day's material with a fresh eye, something that shows her commitment to the class and a passion for her subject.

3. [A] There was always an expectation for what we would be doing in each class, which helped us plan accordingly.

4. [A] Every day the plan was clear



1. [A] She looks for ways to help her students revise and improve.

2. [A] Any questions I had were promptly answered with true consideration.



1. [A] Professor Brenner clearly has a passion for her subject, something which is important. As a student, I find it inspiring and it makes me more willing to do the work for the class. She is a wonderful professor.

2. [A] Possibly the most passionate professor I've ever had.

3. [A] She was very passionate about the subject which helped me to have a greater appreciation for it.



1. [A] Very knowledgeable about medievalism

2. [A] I have never learned about Arthurian literature before, and likely never will again. However, she made the coursework interesting and I especially liked the discussion based portion of the course.

3. [A] The ability to write about interests applying to our majors or other classes made me want to learn the material more so that I could apply it somehow in my life.

4. [A] Most interesting English class I have ever taken.

5. [A] She was very enthusiastic and it was infectious.

6. [A] I really enjoyed everything I learned this semester.




1. [A] Class discussions were helpful.

2. [D] Seemed a little unnecessary. Discussions, on the other hand, were good to have

3. [B] I liked the mixture of literature, art, and film that we looked at throughout the semester.





1. [A] Very knowledgeable



1. [A] The essays are meant to help us further our understanding of the subject and expand our essay writing style, which I appreciated. They are graded fairly, and she takes the time to make notes on each of our works to help us in the future.



1. [A] She was always available to answer any questions we had.



1. [A] I thought she was really good.



1. [A] This was a fun course and it was taught very efficiently.

2. [A] Definitely. I really enjoyed her class.

The course was well-organized.




1. [C] Multiple essays structured in a strange format. Had to be able to keep up with major essays that were due to submit them on time and when not writing a major one, edit two essays and work on minor essays. At the beginning of the year it was slightly unclear

2. [A] The syllabus and all the informational papers were perfect for a detail-oriented person like me!




1. [B] While understanding this is a literature course, I still felt overwhelmed by all of the reading. The amount of reading for one day in this class is equivalent to what I would receive for an entire week from other professors. I know literature courses are meant to be reading intensive, however, I definitely feel like I had to make sacrifices in my other classes to make room for this one. This is also my first literature course, though, so I cannot make an accurate comparison.

2. [D] Even though this was a literature class, I felt like there was something's too much reading assigned in one reading

3. [B] Reading was a bit heavy but not too much.



1. [A] What more can I say? Amazing content and amazing professor!! Don't change a thing, Professor Brenner!

The amount of work required is appropriate for the credit received.


The course challenged me to think.


1. [A] The film adaptation and comedic additions were a great way to get students to think about Arthurian text from all angles!

The instructor has a realistic definition of good performance.


Written assignments require a reasonable amount of time and effort.


1. [C] I had to work hard in this class to produce quality material!

2. [A] I like that she has us submit drafts to her and for peer review. It was a good experience.

3. [B] I had no issues with writing the assignments, but for those who don't chose to start early, one week may be a little tough to write a paper. Also, the two extra minor essays were a tad extra.


Essay Question Comments

Essay Questions on the Appraisal

If this course were to be redesigned, what features should be retained?

1. The blog essay assignments that incorporate editors to read submissions.

2. The readings we did were really interesting and fun. Please keep the opportunity for students to write minor essays for extra credit.

3. I think the quizzes before each class is a good idea, it motivated me to read the material. I also enjoy the minor essays in which we can submit for extra credit, it is refreshing to have an instructor who knows that students are not perfect and forget to turn assignments in or do the reading.

4. The classics of Arthurian literature and the discussion portion of the course. I think the essays are good and I especially like that we can choose our topic. The opportunity of minor essays is also a great way to encourage student participation.

5. The blog & twitter page are clever. These things should always be kept in the class because I really enjoyed that our homework was as easy as getting onto an app and tweeting simply about what we read.

6. No complaints here! Great class, professor Brenner!

7. The films were a nice break from reading and should be maintained.

8. The overall style of readings and essays should be maintained.

9. I thought the daily reading tweets were a great way for us to interact with the reading.

Make suggestions about any aspect of the lecture that would improve the course or the lecturer's ability to teach.

1. Send out question for students to think about prior to class meetings for discussion to flow smoother.

2. I really enjoyed Ms. Brenner's class. It was casual enough to feel free to speak your mind but formal enough to still have an established respect between professor and student. We need to go into more detail about how to give useful feedback when editing each other’s papers.

3. I would make no changes. This is a well-organized and professional instructor.

4. Honestly, she was amazing! She incorporated so many aspects into the course (guest speakers on film adaptation, library visits to view actual manuscripts, peer-reviewing papers, etc.), and it never got boring while we had class discussions; she actively employed our discussions!

What did you like or dislike about the class format?

1. The subject matter was interesting to me to begin with but Professor Brenner increases my interest tenfold. It was a great class and I would love to enroll in another of her classes.

2. I really liked the structure; however, this is the most writing and reading I've ever done in any class at A&M, including those that were other Lit/Engl or writing intensive courses. Biggest thing I didn't like was that although classmates were assigned to edit each other’s papers, both times I got no useful feedback.

3. I would've loved to read more of the texts, we spent some time in them and read a lot of scholarly articles.


4. I personally found the tweets difficult to remember, and forgot to do them more often that I would like, simply because I am unfamiliar with using twitter, especially for coursework. However, I understand the purpose they serve, and it is one good solution.

5. I loved professor Brenner. I didn't get to know her very well because I'm a really shy person, but she is caring & prepared for our class always. I went through some really hard times this semester, but I never really felt like I missed a lot when I would come back to class because she was always thorough with her material and making sure everyone understood the material.

6. I loved how the class was able to openly discuss the content during classes; the professor really seemed to not only know the content, but also truly love the content and want us to love it, as well. Professor Brenner is an amazing teacher, and she is always readily available after class and via email. Great teacher, wish I could take her in another class!!

7. I liked the handouts of information and structure regarding the assignments.

8. No.

9. Didn't like the tweeting

10. I knew nothing about Arthurian literature when I started this class. I now know a great deal. We engaged with a variety of unique texts. I am very glad I took this course. This professor is passionate, knowledgeable, and friendly.

11. I really liked the texts that we read. I also enjoyed that we looked at modern adaptations of Arthurian legend as well as artwork.

student evaluations: summaries and recent full reports ...(representative questions; 5 = strongly...

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