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Interacted with 3 different women this week each of whom cares deeply about teaching, has very recently won teaching award, each of whom last semester received extremely harsh/inappropriate/in some cases abusive comments on teaching evals. 1/n
Each was devastated. One mused to me that she may not want to teach that class again given the substance of those comments. Overall numbers high; viciousness in comments intense. 2/n
Teaching evaluations, qualitatively and quantitatively, are biased. This is established. It is not an open issue. @rebeccakreitzer has collected *so* many sources. http://www.rebeccakreitzer.com/bias/
Teaching evaluations evaluate gender, race, and attractiveness. Men are favored. White people are favored.
(I have dropped my fractions because I am so worked up. NO FRACTIONS BECAUSE I AM SO UPSET think about *that*!)
My law school publishes evaluations for all students to see. All students can read these comments. Sometimes the bias is very obvious and sometimes it's not, but it's still there.
In my administrative position, I read all the teaching evaluations. I have been doing this for years. Sometimes the comments from students are really, really helpful. I have used these comments to improve my teaching, and others have too.
But that doesn't take away from how hurtful and biased they can be. Intentionally hurtful. I have personally received slurs, comments on my appearance, etc etc.
And it's not just that comments are too negative based on gender and race. They are too positive too! Men! A huge amount the positivity you are getting is *because* you are a man! I know, not *you*. *You* are a great teacher. Just the *other* men.
Men who see these glowing comments aren't open to changing their teaching. Because they are *awesome*! They are *brilliant*! Yeah. Ok. (That word "brilliant." Lotta men are brilliant on teaching evals. Women, not so much.)
I don't read my teaching evaluations anymore. I have a friend read them and give me the constructive, helpful version. I don't want to see the nasty stuff and I don't want to see the good stuff. I know I can improve. I will always work to improve my teaching. Always.
But abusive comments don't help me, or anyone, improve their teaching.
That's n/n. Remember: http://www.rebeccakreitzer.com/bias/
