Student Observations: Course Evaluations
The student evaluation that I created specifically for this course had sections for each unit, and I found the students' responses interesting. In general, the majority of students felt that the course met the six established course goals.
Using anonymous, paraphrased comments from the student evaluations in this poster will provide a more balanced view of the course. By including student voices, I will offset the heavy use of my voice. Finally, I look forward to receiving poster feedback about the student comments as well as about the structure and methods of the course.
Each student got different things out of this course, an expected outcome as they ran the gamut of graduate students. Some were in their first semester of course work, and some were working on their dissertation. I had never created goals before for a course, and it seemed to work. I didn't hold to all the goals, but that absence was purposeful and not due to neglect.
One student commented, “This class had the best discussion I have ever had in a class (as far as quality and participation by all),” which was true for me as well. I thought the amount and level of the discussions were good, especially as these interdisciplinary discussions were helping students to make some sense out of the material that would help them in their area.
Another question on the student evaluation asked for their comments on the visual elements of research. We had discussed the idea that what a photo displays is a construction, both for what is in the picture and what is left out. This turned out to be very useful. The students acquired some critical skills about visual evidence by reading and performing this visual critique.
One student noted that the class prepared students to be more informed about abilities to look at a place and to look through material. This indicates skill acquisition, and it comes from reading with a broad viewpoint.
Supplemental Course Evaluation 
(includes student responses to first page)
Evaluation Questions - (complete list of questions in the Supplemental Course Evaluation)
