Student evals for porn class

Brenda, who helped with the cyberporn & society class, emailed asking what the student evaluations ended up looking like. It’s really a mixed lot. I’m not unhappy with the overall evaluations, especially for a class this size.

I know a lot of profs don’t care much for student evaluations, returning to the old “in what other job…” thing. I don’t really hold them in an important position: I would much rather know what they think of the course 5 and 10 years down the line, and whether they learned something valuable from the experience. I suspect most students don’t know what they learned during the last week or two of the classes; they only respond whether they enjoyed the class. And even then: we’ve just moved to online evaluations, and the only people who are likely to respond are those who especially liked or disliked the class. Less than a third of the students bothered to evaluate the class, and only half of these wrote textual comments. I suspect I could teach a class that got much better reviews, but I also suspect I couldn’t live with myself for teaching the class that way.

One of the advantages — the primary one, I think — of student evaluations is that they allow students to know what their peers think of a class or a professor. I have a feeling this isn’t a bad thing. I used to have most of my student reviews up on the site, and I will again at some point. For this class, I end up being… well… about average. Click “more” to see what students thought of the class.

QUESTION: Please comment on the elements of the COURSE you found particularly effective.

1 I enjoyed the use of videos and still pictures that supplement his lectures. Creating a web blog of your experiences and thoughts about pornography also helped keep the students in the right mindframe for the class

2 I liked that the lectures were available for review, and i liked the course blog alex maintained, i liked that there were only a few readings to do

3 What a great course and professor. I really never thought about what a significant force pornography is in our society before this, and it is really clear that just because porn is so hush-hush it does not mean it should not be studied and understood.

4 the movies

5 The teaching method using power point

6 Online video lectures

7 The course is very interesting and has alot of useful information. the fact that he put the lecture notes and lectures online were very, very helpful. plenty of opertunity to get a good grade,including the online blogs, which made the course more personal with over 350 students in the class.

8 Very detail and able to understand. Visual and cmputer material are very good, good use of sources

9 the slides and a copy of the recorded lecture online

10 Lectures videotaped and put online, handy for both studying for exams and when I missed a class.

11 This was a fantastic course. The class weblog kept me up-to-date and provided any information I could have possibly needed; the fact that I could check my grade online was also fantastic. This was a course that NEEDED to be taught and I’m glad you had the chutzpah to teach it. Kudos.

12 The powerpoints were very effective in aiding the professors lectures and keeping them interesting. Who knew there was so much educational value behind learning about pornography on the internet and its affects on society.

13 the recording of the classes was a nice touch

14 made me think about things i never thought about before.

15 Real world course that students could relate to. I liked the blogging assignment. The course website and online lectures were also very helpful.

16 the lectures were posted online, and so were the notes, so this was very helpful

17 The lectures were taped and on the internet which helped a lot.

18 use if the course website was very helpfull and informative

19 I liked having the lectures online. Of course, that means more people skipping, but I found it helpful.

20 The relation of pornography to many social aspects of pornography made this course very interesting. The relation of pornography to aspects of society such as the law and to the way people behave opened my mind to the morality of pornography

21 Allowing blogging to interact with students in replacement of a test grade was very helpful. It alleviated the stress with other classes and was a great way to meet other students.

22 The videos used in class.

23 An awesome course to have a view of whats new and whats not in the porn business. This course is one of the best elective i’ve taken so far for communications.

24 I found learning about the different aspects of pornography was effective such as the effects it has on society.

25 the use of recorded lectures, this way if a student misses a class, he or she is not too far behind.

26 the streaming class videos and online notes are effective. i just hope that these videos and notes can be posted earlier and not on the day of the test/exam so that the students can watch them.

27 It’s great that lectures can be viewed online. Also website for course is well maintained and informative.

28 I like the fact that all the lectures were put online so when I missed class, I could go back and watch them.

29 The guest speakers were an added bonus to this course! i especially found the FBI agent interesting. Also, the website that Dr. Halavais puts up, including class slide notes, teh actual video of the lecture.. articles related to topics covered in class. extra credit opps.. he just has a website that really helped me and guided me through this course.

30 the test questions were so specific, you have to listen to literally every word and takes notes on every word out of the professor’s mouth to do well

31 The use of powerpoint in the lectures and having those and videos available online.

32 The overall coverage was quite extensive and I feel I actually learned a ton of information in this class. The powerpoints were good and not wordy. The ability to go to the course Web site and review the materials from the class is always good for study assistance. The material on the exams was fair, but extensive. For a course with enrollment as large as it was, I had no trouble learning.

33 the fact that the lectures were recorded was helpful

34 The vidoes that were shown in class as well as guest speakers that were brought in to give talks made it more interesting.

35 taping of class made it a better way to go back and look up things said in class

36 This was an very interesting class, containing much information and ideas.

37 The business aspect.

38 This was a very informative class

39 I never knew how to study this subject.

40 the teaching and the guest speakers that came in to speak with us about their specialized areas were very helpful in making the clearninhg more “hnads on”

41 Lectures were videotaped each class and submitted online.

42 I LIKED THE FACT HE SHOWED CLASS ONLINE SO I COULD GO OVER PARTS I MISUNDERSTOOD

43 I loved this class, it was very interesting, and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know already.

44 Very informative and interesting topics

45 online lectures

46 The Interactive Web site

47 online lectures

48 Recorded lectures were very effective for reviewing lectures. Was able to replay portions of lectures that were particularly important or complex

49 The course was interesting. It explained all aspects of Pornography within the Society (laws, acts, privacy, termanolgoy, pornography actors and actresses, etc.).

50 The course was a pleasant surprise. I took it just for the name, but coming out of it you realize how much our nation is effected in good and bad ways by pronography and the internet.

51 I liked the videos and all the slides he showed to help us get the best perspective on this very controversial subject. I know this class was a test run but I think it should frequently be offered. Pornography is an issue that alot of college students take for granted but i think by taking this course they can learn alot about all the aspects of pornography that we would otherwise not know about

52 The topic is so interesting and very important to anyone interested in comunication.

53 Due to the content of the course there were difficult subjects to talk about, He handled them all with class.

54 This course gave me knowledge and insight to ascpects of people, life, art, society, and sex that i had never even considered. I learned more than i ever thought i would, and actually had fun! There was also ALWAYS internet blog access for asking and answering questions that invloved students, ta’s and prof. Halavais.

55 The overall teaching and videos

56 While the topic may be taboo, a serious approach was taken, and made this a positive experience.

57 This was a very informational course and I learned about interesting things I really never knew about before and the professor’s teaching was very effective because it let you control your own grade easily because he gave you alternatives to taking the test and bonus credit in the end. Not much homework, students aren’t overloaded.

58 The lectures were interesting. Also the class website and blog was a great supplement to the class. I also liked that many aspects of the topic were taught ex. porn and technology, art, social impact, law etc.

59 I found the lecture slides and the different examples and details in the class to be effective

60 Loved it, who couldnt enjoy being a porn and society class…

61 Backed up everything with a histroy lesson, made it more applicable and the information more real.

QUESTION: Please comment on course improvements you would suggest.

1 tests were a bit nit picky so I would suggest improvements in test making. Maybe concentrate more on the modern times for pornography isntead of mostly history and legal issues.

2 show more videos and pictures, the tests were too reliant on memorizing facts and figures and not on concepts

3 more information about material

4 Should pose notes online before the class.

5 make it smaller, and a note that it’s for serious com majors, not everyone

6 n.a

7 since there is alot of information there is alot of information to cover when studying. possibly if he created some sort of study guide along with the lecture notes and online lectures.

8 however, for students that is not that literal in the language, a lot of slangs and terms require more clarification as some of the students are not part of the culture

9 improve more on explaining in details..ask if we have any questions..and a review before the tests would be appreciated

10 As I mentioned to you earlier in the semester, I believe a G.R.A.S.P. (Gender Roles And Society Program) from the LGBTA in the next syllabus would greatly benefit the class; also think of making the course smaller in number with perhaps some form of admissions ‘counselling’ to see if course participants are up for the task and REALLY know what they signed up for.

11 Although this is a higher level communications class, the majority of the students were not communication majors. I think it would help to decrease the high assumption that the entire class knows a lot of background info about comm.

12 what you ask about on tests sometimes was ridiculous. made us remember the most insignificant things and without a study guide or review sheet for the tests. not to mention 5 tests.

13 Many of the topics were very dry.

14 Some of the topics regarding politics and such seemed a little monotonious and boring at times.

15 The slides need to be better.

16 THE TESTS WERE SO HARD..very irrelovent to class material, knit picked on almost all questions,

17 The exams were extremely difficult.

18 none

19 I don’t have specific suggestions, but giving people further incentive to show up to class would be a good thing to do.

20 Have either a test review or a practice exam.

21 I would recommend for things in the course to be more clear. I walked in not knowing anything about porn directors or how it works, and most other people seemed to know. I would also recommend not teaching so much of the business aspect of it. I took this class: Cyberoporn and Society expecting to learn more of the effects on porn and not how its possible to start my own porn business.

22 none

23 please post the streaming class video and notes earlier.

24 None.

25 Reviewing for the tests more.

26 Maybe not to tape lectures.. people take advantage of it and abuse it. No one really comes to class and those who do talk constantly. I think the overall course was good though. I learned a lot!

27 Throwing water balloons at the people who wouldn’t shut their mouths.

28 I can’t think of a thing.

29 more organized slides

30 Lecture notes should be more comprehensive.

31 A smaller class size, its difficult to engage in questions or discussion in class.

32 Cut out the repetitive and boring cases.

33 A better grading system and a Text that followed the lectures.

34 Notes aren’t specific, and test questions are chosen from teacher’s lecture which are hard to listen for and comprehend

35 Don’t allow sophomores into the class, or freshmen for that matter – they just make jokes and talk, they aren’t mature enough for the material yet.

36 a review or something before test, because a lot of information studied didn’t end up on test

37 Web site be integrated more into class

38 very vague notes

never goes into depth

readings are boring

39 Nothing really, it was great to have the lectures posted online in case I missed a class due to illness or even for leisure activity. It was a great review tool as well.

40 I think a smaller class would be more effective so that way class discussion could facilitate a better understanding of the material. In general though the class was taught well.

41 More images of the ladies ;)

42 this course was very interesting, but i think because it was a new course it wasnt as interesting or complete as it could have been.

43 KEEP THIS COURSE GOING

44 Tests based more on lectures

45 Offer more than just one time for this course, since Knox 20 was packed, there is obviously interest in the course.

46 Maybe expanding the couse into 2 semesters-there was alot of topics (porn and law, art, technology,etc.) but not enoght time in the semester to go into depth about anything. Anytime something sounded interesting we changed topics. The course was too all over the place and the exams were like trivia pursuit.

47 Having a practice test so you know what to expect

48 have an established EC assignment at the beginning of the semester (I know you tried to and it backfired so no biggie)

49 Great class! Nothing I can think of that would make it any better.

Please comment on how effective the INSTRUCTOR was in teaching this course.

1 Mr. Halavais is extremely informative and intelligent. You can just tell that he knows what hes talking about and it is a pleasure to have him as an instructor. He suppliments his lectures with enough material and stuff for us to look up when we go home. I really enjoy his class.

2 He was fair, he placed a strong emphasis on academic ethicality in going to great lengths to make cheating almost impossible in this class, which I really respect. He also makes the lessons fun and interesting while getting the information and concepts across clearly.

3 distracted easily

4 The professor know the materials pretty well.

5 good

6 Halavas is a very smart professor, his teaching methods were very organized and informative. all of the forms of media he used to help teach like video clips, slides were very helpful and added to the course.

7 know how to use technology effectively in teaching

8 minimal effectiveness..more explanation of materials from him would really help improve grades in the course

9 he originally was quite obsurd w/ test taking making the class do things i never had to do in my 10 semesters like assigned seats for tests or completely take a hat off or couldn’t leave until the test until the time was up. Good thing he figured out how obsurd he was being.

10 Very effective. Knew the subject inside out.

11 The instructor was very effective in teaching the course, was plesaent to deal with and gets my highest rating.

12 He was great. Kept things interesting and educational at the same time.

13 he was a good teacher but lacks student teacher skills

14 The instructor knew his material very well.

15 He was was educated on the subject matter, and I like how he intricated video clips and images during lecture.

16 Hes not a very good lecturer, therefore a lot of the important things were lost.

17 good, sometimes got off subject

18 The teacher was very knowledgable in this subject.

19 extreamly nice and made the class flow smooth. his uses of powerpoint is impressive.

20 One of the best teachers at this school, hands down. Very involved and seems to love to teach his students new and exciting things. Communicates well with studetns, very approachable, answers every student’s questions without hesitation

21 Very effective. Always helpful and organized. Tried to get in discussions, even in the large classroom.

22 Very competent in the subject. He was able take a very obscure and unintellectual subject such as pornography and relate it to our everyday life and give it much educational value

23 I feel Dr. Halavais handled the subject matter excellent. I was very impressed with the grasp he had on the class and how he was able to maintain a mature setting for the materials presented.

24 He was able to lecutre on a level that students could relate to. He would do polls during lectures and work off the results to help students better understand what he was talking about.

25 Halavis is an AWESOME instructor. He puts all the information out there for us to capture. And he does it really well ! STRONGLY RECOMMEND him !

26 He was very much informed in all fields of pornography. He brought out things I didn’t know about.He is very friendly and easy to approach and talk to.

27 instructor was very interested in the subject material which made class time very fun.

28 his lectures are effective to an extend. he should speak clearer and a little slower so that the students can write down good notes.

29 Very well-prepared, knowledgable, helpful to students.

30 He was a good teacher, he knew a lot about the topic, and communications as a whole.

31 This was one of the best instructor;s i’ve had so far at UB! He seems very into his job and dedicated to his work.

32 Very effective

33 Extremely effective. This was the first class I had with Professor Halavais, and I wish he taught more. He always had a positive, fun energy about him. He was able to joke, but be serious. He covered a lot of information and I learned a whole lot more than I ever thought I could about Cyberporn and Society.

34 sometimes hard to follow, and sometimes didn’t elaborate enough, but overall good

35 The instructor kept students posted with latest developments in the news and so on, which are in relation to the course content.

36 good teacher but the tests were far to difficult even though there was a curve i personally felt as if i learned nothing because i could do extremely bad and still get a good grade …i dont understand this method

37 He is willing to answer students questions and truly wants students feedback about ideas and concepts.

38 okay

39 I don’t know if it was the course or the Instructor but either way it’s not a very well organized course.

40 he knew what he was talking about, but often got off topic and rushed through important things.

41 HE WAS A GOOD TEACHER

42 He’s a very nice, great professor, I wish I could take more communications classes with him.

43 He was very effective, always knew how to keep it interesting.

44 Very good, and very prepared, allways got assingments posted on time

45 Course much harder then it was made out to be. tests were extremely hard and full of information that was not brought up into depth. many readings were too long with too many random statistics that were put on the exam. Very hard to understand the teacher, he mumbles a lot

46 gave background into some basic communications information that as an engineer i had not previously been exposed to when it was required. this allowed a better understanding of more advanced comm theory.

47 He did a great job with putting up all the lectures online, answering questions, posting updates, etc. His blog for the course is a great help.

48 Dr. Halavais was great. Once you get used to his teaching style and understand what he is looking for, which he is pretty clear at doing, you should have no problem getting a decent or above average grade in his class. I think a smaller class would be great for him as well since he hates when people talk. It’s to hard to police/avoid in a huge lecture and you could definitely have more control over it if the class were offered to upperclassmen communication majors or students at that level!

[Just to clarify, I love when people talk–just get frustrated when they don’t talk to the rest of the class, since it can be distracting. -AH]

49 I thought he was very good. He was very enthusiastic about the course and helping look at this topic from many different viewpoints

50 He did very well for such a controversial course topic. He was very knowledgable and enthusiastic.

51 Fanatasic

52 Halavais has got to be one of the most open-minded professors i have ever met. he is always willing to answer any question, and research and get back to you if he doesn’t know. He keeps class lively and interesting and actively involves the students, while maintaining a lecture air. Tests were fair and his seating system was awesome – if this were not my last semester at UB i would take any classes that Halavais is teaching – He is AWESOME!

53 EXCELLENT JOB

54 Seemed to be very knowledgable on the subject

55 Added humor and enforcing the need for silence in such a large room made learining more effective.

56 He was funny and made it easy to pay attention in class. The videos helped A LOT to those who wanted to catch something they had missed in class.

57 The instructor discussed many issues regarding porn (law, art, technology, etc.) in a small amount of time while still keeping the class interesting. The class website and blog was a great idea.

58 GREAT JOB!!!!

59 Very effective, great teacher. Enjoys what he does and it shows.

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4 Comments

  1. Posted 6/27/2005 at 5:19 am | Permalink

    Thanks for posting this – it’s very useful. I’ve followed this course from design to delivery with great interest, thanks to your excellent blogging.

    Slightly worrying that some of the student evals sound like ebay feedback, but I guess ebay provides a lot of our students with their primary model.

    Cheers!

  2. Posted 6/27/2005 at 7:45 am | Permalink

    Ha! Never noticed that before: “A++++++. GREAT PACKAGING. WOULD USE AGAIN.”

  3. Brenda
    Posted 6/27/2005 at 8:19 am | Permalink

    I’m impressed with the comments but not surprised at the rather low response rate. I suspect that these students are the very same who regularly showed up for class, did well on the tests because they took advantage of the resources made available to help them do well…IF they were willing to put in the effort. By the way, I would still advocate the use of a supersoaker or at the very least, a roll of duct tape for those who did not comprehend that a lecture is an inappropriate venue for social conversation :-)

    I would certainly agree that a smaller class would have been much more effective, as would one held twice weekly at rather than 3x per week at only 50 minutes per class. Regardless of the size of length of class sessions, the way in which you taught the class and the expectations you held of the students should not be changed at all.

    -BB

  4. Posted 6/27/2005 at 8:55 am | Permalink

    Alex I think this cyberporn lecture series was an impressive undertaking which would have gotten a warmer response given a more appreciative audience.

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