University of Pittsburgh

Office of Measurement and Evaluation of

Teaching

Dear Professor Benjamin Miller:

Student Opinion of Teaching Questionnaire Results

This form contains survey results for SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060.

Attached is a report in PDF format containing your Student Opinion of Teaching Survey results from last
term. The report is best viewed and/or printed in color.

The evaluation results are broken down into three distinct categories. The first part of the report shows a
breakdown of student responses to the quantitative questions. For each item, the number of students (n)
who responded, the average or mean (av.) and standard deviation (dev.) are displayed next to a chart or
histogram that shows the percentage of the class who responded to each option for that question. The
percentages are above the number on the rating scale which increases from left to right, i.e. the number
1 equals the least favorable rating and the number 4 or 5 (depending on the scale) equals the most
favorable rating. The sum of percentages will equal 100%. A red mark is displayed on the chart where
the average or mean is located. To calculate how many students responded to each option, multiply the
number of students who answered the question by the percentage for that option. For example, if 14
students answered the question and 50% responded to option 3 then 7 students marked option 3 for that
item (14 x .50 = 7). The standard deviation is a common measure of dispersion around the mean that
may be useful in interpreting the results.

If your school had previously calculated norms, they will be on OMETs website (omet.pitt.edu).

The second part displays individual comments to each question in the open-ended section of the
evaluation. All the responses to the first question will be listed together after the first question and then
the responses to the next question will be listed together after the next question, and so on.

The final part gives you a profile of the student responses to the quantitative section of the evaluation.
This is a chart listing all of the means for the scaled items with a dashed red line connecting the means.

If the number of respondents for any of the scaled items is fewer than seven, please be cautious in
interpreting the quantitative results.

Office of Measurement and Evaluation of Teaching (OMET)

 Professor Benjamin Miller, SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060

Professor Benjamin Miller

SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-10602161_UPITT_ENGCMP_0207_SEC1060
Fall 2015
15 RESPONDENTS = 83.33% OF NUMBER REGISTERED

1. SELF RATINGS

1.1) 0% 6.7% 33.3% 53.3% 6.7%

Compared to other courses at the same level, the Much less Much more n=15
av.=3.6
amount of work I did was: dev.=0.74

1 2 3 4 5

1.2) 0% 0% 46.7% 26.7% 26.7%

In this course I have learned: Much less Much more n=15
av.=3.8
dev.=0.86

1 2 3 4 5

1.3)
The grade I expect in this course is:
n=15
A 46.7%

B 46.7%

C 6.7%

D 0%

F 0%

Other 0%

2. TEACHING EVALUATION

2.1) 0% 0% 0% 33.3% 66.7%

The instructor presented the course in an organized Hardly at all To a very high degree n=15
av.=4.67
manner. dev.=0.49

1 2 3 4 5

2.2) 0% 0% 0% 26.7% 73.3%

The instructor stimulated my thinking. Hardly at all To a very high degree n=15
av.=4.73
dev.=0.46

1 2 3 4 5

2.3) 0% 0% 0% 33.3% 66.7%

The instructor evaluated my work fairly. Hardly at all To a very high degree n=15
av.=4.67
dev.=0.49

1 2 3 4 5

2.4) 0% 0% 13.3% 33.3% 53.3%

The instructor made good use of examples to clarify Hardly at all To a very high degree n=15
av.=4.4
concepts. dev.=0.74

1 2 3 4 5

2.5) 0% 0% 0% 26.7% 73.3%

The instructor maintained a good learning Hardly at all To a very high degree n=15
av.=4.73
environment. dev.=0.46

1 2 3 4 5

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 Professor Benjamin Miller, SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060

2.6) 0% 0% 0% 13.3% 86.7%

The instructor was accessible to students. (Do not Hardly at all To a very high degree n=15
av.=4.87
answer if no basis to judge) dev.=0.35

1 2 3 4 5

2.7) 0% 0% 0% 40% 60%

Express your judgment of the instructor's overall Ineffective Excellent n=15
av.=4.6
teaching effectiveness: dev.=0.51

1 2 3 4 5

2.8)
Would you recommend this course to other students?
n=15
Probably not 6.7%

Probably yes 66.7%

Definitely yes 26.7%

2.9)
Would you recommend this instructor to other students?
n=15
Probably yes 46.7%

Definitely yes 53.3%

3. ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND WRITING ADDITIONAL ITEMS

3.1)
Were the instructor's comments on your written work helpful in enabling you to improve your writing?
n=15
Not at all 0%

To a small degree 0%

To a moderate degree 0%

To a considerable degree 26.7%

Very much 73.3%

3.2)
Were the class discussions helpful to you in enabling you to write your papers?
n=15
Not at all 0%

To a small degree 6.7%

To a moderate degree 0%

To a considerable degree 46.7%

Very much 46.7%

3.3)
Did the course enable you to see the importance of writing to you as a student at a university?
n=15
Not at all 0%

To a small degree 0%

To a moderate degree 26.7%

To a considerable degree 26.7%

Very much 46.7%

01/05/2016 Class Climate evaluation Page 2

 Professor Benjamin Miller, SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060

3.4)
Was your instructor available to meet with you on an individual basis?
(Do not answer if you did not seek help.)
n=15
Never 0%

Seldom 0%

About half the time 0%

Usually 0%

Always 100%

3.5)
In general, has this course made you aware of what to do to improve as a writer?
n=14
Not at all 0%

To a small degree 0%

To a moderate degree 7.1%

To a considerable degree 50%

Very much 42.9%

4. TEACHING COMMENTS

4.1)
What were the instructor's major strengths?

Always had a lot of feedback.

Ben was always available to meet to talk about writing and always very patient with me if I had issues or was struggling. It is definitely
evident how much he cares about his students. I liked knowing that he cared about me as a writer and an individual and gave me the
freedom to write about topics I enjoyed.

Friendly, welcoming classroom

helpful office hours
frequent, required office hours

Giving good feedback

He was ALWAYS available for office hours and he was very helpful. He explained things until you completely understand what he wanted
you to do.

He's brilliant and easy to talk to.

His major strengths include always being available to students when we needed help. Every time I was struggling with a paper I would
always feel much better about it after talking with him. He was the most helpful Professor I had this semester and he definitely helped me
improve my writing skills.

Incredible ability as a teacher to help his students improve and see the bigger picture. Extremely professional, very motivated and
competent

Personally connecting with the students, being attentive to any changes needed, actively focusing on improving student work

The classroom environment was awesome and the instructor was very personable. I had a great experience in this class overall. He was
always available in office hours and provided great constructive criticism.

The instructor's instructions were clear and understandable.

Very well articulated ideas and made you think

4.2)
What were the instructor's major weaknesses?

I had a very distinct writing process, and he would sometimes challenge it and make me do things that hurt me more than helped.

I think that the way that classes are set up are great for instruction but we tend to run short on time.

Keeping an eye on the clock.

N/A
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 Professor Benjamin Miller, SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060

None that pop into my mind

Sometimes there were too many words.

The only weakness I would say would be he sometimes did not explain activities in class well and I would feel very confused. However,
once we asked him to elaborate he always would and then we would better understand what was expected of us.

Unorganized bad at time

5. COURSE COMMENTS

5.1)
What aspects of this course were most beneficial to you?

.....

Ben always made sure we knew what we were talking about.

I learned new techniques to present information in an effective manner.

I think the writing skills I have received from this class are extremely beneficial and I will be working with them for the rest of my life.

I was never very confident in my writing, so it was beneficial that we took small steps that lead to a very successful essay

Learning to write effectively, building arguments, understanding the they say, i say principles,

The grading contract was fair.

Honest and helpful feedback on my writing.

The writing exercises that helped me push through writer's block. I also enjoyed in-class discussions.

This course really helped me improve my writing skills. It also helped me to learn about the resources in the library that are available to us
and I will definitely be using those resources in the future.

group work
useful textbook

5.2)
What suggestions do you have to improve the course?

.....

Ben ran it really well. I'm not sure what I'd add.

More time to complete assignments. Clearer explanations of texts.

N/A

Of course, there is always room for improvement. I can't think of anything specific, just build on what is there.

This may not be improvement, but rather personal preference. However, some things I would have liked to see are writing prompts with
more specific criteria as far as the subject is concerned.

To improve this course I would say to maybe space the papers out a bit. Towards the end of the course I felt overwhelmed with how little
time I had to complete my paper so I think spacing out papers better would have helped me.

opt for a three day shorter class periods

01/05/2016 Class Climate evaluation Page 4

 Professor Benjamin Miller, SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060

Subunit:
Name of the instructor:
Name of the course:
(Name of the survey)
Profile
A&S-ENGLISH LOWER LEVEL
Professor Benjamin Miller,
SEMNR IN COMPOSITN: EDUCATION(ENGCMP-0207)-1060

Values used in the profile line: Mean

1. SELF RATINGS

1.1) Compared to other courses at the same level, Much less Much more
the amount of work I did was: n=15 av.=3.60 md=4.00 dev.=0.74

1.2) In this course I have learned: Much less Much more

n=15 av.=3.80 md=4.00 dev.=0.86

2. TEACHING EVALUATION

2.1) The instructor presented the course in an Hardly at all To a very high
organized manner. degree n=15 av.=4.67 md=5.00 dev.=0.49

2.2) The instructor stimulated my thinking. Hardly at all To a very high

degree n=15 av.=4.73 md=5.00 dev.=0.46

2.3) The instructor evaluated my work fairly. Hardly at all To a very high
degree n=15 av.=4.67 md=5.00 dev.=0.49

2.4) The instructor made good use of examples to Hardly at all To a very high
clarify concepts. degree n=15 av.=4.40 md=5.00 dev.=0.74

2.5) The instructor maintained a good learning Hardly at all To a very high
environment. degree n=15 av.=4.73 md=5.00 dev.=0.46

2.6) The instructor was accessible to students. (Do Hardly at all To a very high
not answer if no basis to judge) degree n=15 av.=4.87 md=5.00 dev.=0.35

2.7) Express your judgment of the instructor's Ineffective Excellent

overall teaching effectiveness: n=15 av.=4.60 md=5.00 dev.=0.51

01/05/2016 Class Climate evaluation Page 5