'Lose some weight', 'stupid old hag': Universities should no longer ask students for anonymous feedback on their teachers

Richard Lakeman*, Deb Massey, Dima Nasrawi, Megan Lee, Jann Fielden, Marie Hutchinson, Rosanne Coutts

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalOnline ResourceResearch

Abstract

Student evaluations, in the form of anonymous online surveys, are ubiquitous in Australian universities. Most students in most courses are offered the opportunity to rate the “quality” of their teachers and the course they take.
The original intention of student surveys was to help improve the learning experience. But it’s now become much more. Student surveys are often the only measure of teaching quality (along with pass rates). For lecturers, positive ratings and comments are often required to ensure continued employment or promotion.
But these anonymous surveys have also become a platform for defamatory, racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments against staff.
Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Conversation
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2022

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