Mid-term Evaluation Question
“Please describe the details of the professor’s improvement in the contents of the class and the method of the class and the opinions he would like to suggest to the professor."

Recently, Kookmin University (KMU) had finished mid-term evaluations. The students’ mid-term evaluations are conducted based on their satisfaction levels and teaching methods, and the results are provided to instructors so they can improve the classes in question. Students’ opinions are provided to instructors via random code, which combines input times — thus, their names are never given, nor is their school number. The question is “Please describe the details of the professor’s improvement in the contents of the class and the method of the class and the opinions he would like to suggest to the professor.” 

 Through the mid-term evaluation and its communication, students are able to take higher-quality classes. From the professor’s perspective, students’ opinions can be considered when increasing class efficiency. Yet many students don’t look for mid-term evaluation. The reason is that they think they don’t receive any profit and see only disadvantages.Some students also said they didn’t even know there was mid-term evaluation. After the system was switched to K-Push, they said the approach of information become much harder. But without those exceptions, students need to consider the evaluation’s importance and to make class more meaningful.
 The following are edited excerpts from interviews with students concerning their mid-term evaluation experiences.

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Q. Have you done mid-term exam?

  A-1. Yes

Q. What did you write down for the question.

 A-1. I wrote what I wish for the class. One thing was to upload presentations as early as possible. 
 A-2. I just wrote the thankful things to instructors. 

Q. Do you think your opinion was reflected in class?

 A-1. Yes. One of my instructors mentioned it before the class that why he uploaded late and suggest another alternative. With the mid-term evaluation, I was able to understand his decision and get  alternative. This is not just true for this class, — some instructors comment for us. 

Q. Have you done mid-term exam?
  B-1. No. 

Q. Why didn’t you do mid-term evaluation?

 B-1. I didn’t know there was mid-term evaluation.I heard we have to do final evaluation at the end of the semester. If we don’t do that, we can’t see our grades at the correction period.But actually,    there’s no any disadvantages to me. Also, I don’t have any words to instructors.
 B-2. I just can’t be bothered to do the midtermevaluation. I didn’t want to use my time on mid-term examination. 

Q. What would make you do the midtermevaluation?

 B-1. If my suggestions are 100 percent reflectedin class, there would be no reason that I not participate. But it is actually hard to change everything I want. 
 B-2. I think small events will make students participate in the mid-term evaluation. Also, the school needs to promote the mid-term evaluation. Some students even don’t know about what it is and    when to do it.
 

 The most important thing concerning school events and try to participate actively. Both the school and the instructors are motivated by the students. Students have enough power to change and suggest their needs, making classes more efficient. For next semester, I hope more students will participate in the mid-term evaluation. 

Ji-Su Han Reporter
jisusarah@kookmin.ac.kr