A course evaluation is a means to produce useful feedback required by
school administrators to evaluate the instruction of a given course and thus
improve the quality of instruction. A student has currently suggested that the
school open the course evaluation of every professor's classes on the Internet.
According to the student, the proposal is beneficial because instructors can
review how others interpret their teaching methods, thereby improving their own
instruction. Also, students are able to rate their professors online, and the
information can also be used by other students to make critical and informed
decisions when they register for new classes. Now hear a
conversation about the same topic. The woman expresses her
opinion of the proposal to open professor's course evaluation on the Internet.
State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.
【正确答案】
【答案解析】[听力原文]
M: An online course evaluation. Did you see that?
W: Yes, I've read the proposal. But I am sure the student's proposal won't get the results he wants.
M: How come? I mean students can read their peers' comments on the web which provides them a better sense of what a particular instructor or class is like. This sort of information is extremely valuable in making right decisions about which courses to take.
W: You are right; it definitely benefits students, but not professors.
M: What do you mean? Could you explain it a little bit?
W: I am afraid professors won't be happy if they notice some unfavorable ratings of their teachings and classes. You know most students' evaluations of teaching have been widely criticized, especially by teachers, for not being accurate measures of teaching effectiveness. Online course feedback will definitely have a negative effect on professors' teaching and frame of mind.
M: You are right! This proposal might do some harm to some professors' feelings and teaching methods.
W: Another reason is that some of these assessments students produced are difficult to interpret. Since the evaluation is often given after the very last class, students won't have time to think and write accurate comments as they need to study for their final exams. Therefore, the evaluation on the web won't present specific information for the new students to consider when they want to select courses.