Do Professors Check Out RateMyProfessors?

For many students, the website RateMyProfessors is a go-to resource for gathering feedback on professors and courses. Interestingly, some professors do check out these ratings, while others take a more casual or nonchalant approach. This article explores the different perspectives and behaviors of professors regarding RateMyProfessors.

Consistency Between Rating Platforms

Some professors, like me, have found that the ratings on RateMyProfessors are generally consistent with the official university course and instructor evaluations. These evaluations, while limited in format, provide structured feedback that is often more reliable and useful for assessing teaching quality.

The Casual Approach

Not every professor takes RateMyProfessors seriously. Some colleagues treat it more as a hobby, checking it out for a laugh or a chuckle. They don't seem to take these assessments as seriously as the official evaluations mandated by the university.

The Keen Eye on Official Evaluations

Faculty members, however, pay significant attention to the official student evaluations because these forms are used for a formal assessment of their teaching. RateMyProfessors, on the other hand, is not typically used for evaluation and is generally not taken seriously by professors.

Personal Insights and Value

Personally, I have looked at my own professor ratings a couple of times. However, as time goes on, I find myself checking these ratings less frequently. For many professors, seeing what other students have to say about them can be intriguing and informative, especially when considering making changes or teaching new classes.

It is important to note that RateMyProfessors tends to be high on non-substantive complaints, such as a student suggesting a professor needs to be taller so that they can see other students' heads. These verbal jabs or gripes are often less helpful and more about students' social interactions than actual teaching quality.

Official Evaluations and Student Feedback

Most professors find value in the official student evaluations because these are done by the school and, therefore, are taken more seriously by the students. These evaluations not only tell you what is going well but also indicate areas that need improvement. The key is to focus on patterns rather than one-off comments, as they can provide a more accurate and meaningful picture of the overall experience.

Experimental Evaluation Systems

Some professors have experimented with their own evaluation systems. For example, a colleague experimented with an evaluation halfway through the semester, where students could provide feedback that could potentially be used to make improvements for the current class. This was a worthwhile idea, but it didn't yield much useful feedback.

In conclusion, while some professors are more casual about checking RateMyProfessors, others take it seriously as a source of feedback and insights. Official evaluations, however, remain the primary tool for gauging the effectiveness of teaching and improving the overall learning experience.