📑 Teaching Evaluations 📑
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute evaluates courses using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The following graph reflects a selection of students’ quantitative responses, followed by student comments from History 2314: The United States, 1877-1920. Each response asked students to rate professors on a scale of 1-5 using the categories listed below the graph. The letters on the graph correspond to the categories.
📖 History 2314: The United States, 1877-1920 📖
📆 Spring 2024 (C-Term)
A. My overall rating of the quality of this course is
B. My overall rating of the instructor's teaching is
C. The educational value of the assigned work was
D. The instructor's organization of the course was
E. The instructor's clarity in communicating course objectives was
F. The instructor's skill in providing understandable explanations was
G. The instructor was well prepared to teach class.
H. The instructor treated students with respect.
I. My grades were determined in a fair and impartial manner.
💬 Student Comments
I really enjoyed the knowledge of my professor. It felt as if he knew every single thing that happened during the time period he was teaching. I also liked how he wanted us to learn about certain topics and really helped us understand the points. He was very kind when it came to discussions with students.
This course was particularly fun and interesting. It covered topics during this time period that I did not know existed. This class has given me a clearer understanding of the industrial era of our country.
I would 100% encourage others to take this course. I learned so much that is not normally taught when learning about this time period. It was a very interesting course that I think everyone should learn about.
I would encourage a friend to take a course from Prof Fobare, as he grades fairly, cares about students, and is very passionate about what he teaches!
I had this professor recommended me from another friend at a different college and I do not regret switching classes at all.
Worcester State University
Worcester State University uses a strictly quantitative method for student evaluations. The graphs below offer a selection of students’ responses to the overall quality of courses I have offered at Worcester State University.
📖 History 111: U.S. History to 1877 📖
📆 Spring 2020-Present
A. The instructor’s explanation of course requirements.
B. The instructor’s preparation for each class period.
C. The instructor’s command of the subject matter.
D. The instructor’s use of class time.
E. The instructor’s way of summarizing or emphasizing important points in class.
F. The instructor’s helpfulness and responsiveness to students
📖 History 112: U.S. History, 1865 to the Present 📖
📆 Fall 2019-Fall 2023
A. The instructor’s explanation of course requirements.
B. The instructor’s preparation for each class period.
C. The instructor’s command of the subject matter.
D. The instructor’s use of class time.
E. The instructor’s way of summarizing or emphasizing important points in class.
F. The instructor’s helpfulness and responsiveness to students
📖 History 250: History of New England 📖
📆 Fall 2019
A. The instructor’s explanation of course requirements.
B. The instructor’s preparation for each class period.
C. The instructor’s command of the subject matter.
D. The instructor’s use of class time.
E. The instructor’s way of summarizing or emphasizing important points in class.
F. The instructor’s helpfulness and responsiveness to students
Utica University
(formerly Utica College)
All of the following student evaluations come from courses that I taught as an adjunct instructor or visiting assistant professor of American and African American history at Utica College. The evaluations span the years 2008-2017.
Utica College used electronic standardized student evaluations that combined quantitive and qualitative methods to evaluate courses (the Student Opinionnaire on Teaching (SOOT)). Under each class, I have included the evaluation questions, categories, and student comments.
Response Scale
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Somewhat Disagree
4. Somewhat Agree
5. Agree
6. Strongly Agree
Categories
A. The instructor organizes subject matter clearly and in a manner that contributes to effective learning.
B. The instructor communicates effectively.
C. The instructor displays genuine interest in the subject matter and in teaching.
D. The instructor displays positive attitudes toward students (approachability, availability, concern for students as individuals).
E. The instructor challenges students to strive toward excellence.
F. The instructor is fair in examinations and grading practices.
History 127: The U.S. 1877 Present (In Person)
💬 Student Comments
While Prof. Fobare is very attuned to accuracy, he is also capable of orienting the classroom material to the importance of the overall context of subjects. He also had very interesting, active and useful slides that helped contribute to learning the material and always provided them prior to class.
The overall effectiveness of the instructor was excellent. He provided a serious and sincere atmosphere that set the tone for the subject matter.
The overall quality of the class was great. It was extremely well organized and the lectures were terrific.
He was very passionate about the context, which helped to get me personally motivated to learn more than I would otherwise.
Professor Fobare is easily one of the most effective instructors I have had in my two semesters in college.
This class was the perfect combination of being challenged and being able to learn effectively.
He asked thought provoking questions that required analysis and critical thinking rather than repetition.
It's a very important course to me and with the addition of Fobare's passion to the subject, it’s a class I feel that I can look back and appreciate.
He definitely increased my understanding. The classes were thought provoking.
Professor Fobare is very clear in his lectures and shows a genuine interest in the topic. He knows the material well, and he explains very clearly any questions we may have. Professor Fobare is very reasonable and it is clear that he cares about his students and wants us to strive for success.
History 127: The U.S. 1877-Present (Asynchronous Online)
💬 Student Comments
I have total respect for the way prof. Fobare went out of his way to help me with writing questions, and made me think further on my discussion forums.
The instructor did an excellent job teaching the course. The course material was very clear, very interesting, and the discussions and papers were easy to understand while providing us with an opportunity to present what we learned in a quality manner. The instructor has done an excellent job throughout the course.
Challenged is an understatement. I learned alot about the history of the US.”
The learning environment in the course was excellent as it provided me with an opportunity to challenge myself.
The instructor did an excellent job teaching the course. The course material was very clear, very interesting and the discussions and papers were easy to understand while providing us with an opportunity to present what we learned in a quality manner. The instructor has done an excellent job throughout the course.
History 135: The African American Experience
💬 Student Comments
While Prof. Fobare is very attuned to accuracy, he is also capable of orienting the classroom material to the importance of the overall context of subjects. He also had very interesting, active and useful slides that helped contribute to learning the material and always provided them prior to class.
The overall effectiveness of the instructor was excellent. He provided a serious and sincere atmosphere that set the tone for the subject matter.
The overall quality of the class was great. It was extremely well organized and the lectures were terrific.
He was very passionate about the context, which helped to get me personally motivated to learn more than I would otherwise.
Professor Fobare is easily one of the most effective instructors I have had in my two semesters in college.
This class was the perfect combination of being challenged and being able to learn effectively.”
He asked thought provoking questions that required analysis and critical thinking rather than repetition.
It's a very important course to me and with the addition of Fobare's passion to the subject, it’s a class I feel that I can look back and appreciate.
He definitely increased my understanding. The classes were thought provoking.
Professor Fobare is very clear in his lectures and shows a genuine interest in the topic. He knows the material well, and he explains very clearly any questions we may have. Professor Fobare is very reasonable and it is clear that he cares about his students and wants us to strive for success.
History 305: The Civil War & Reconstruction
💬 Student Comments
Challenging but fair, very knowledgeable teacher, loves what he does, makes learning interesting even with the huge scale of material that needed to be covered. Very organized.
I have learned the complete opposite of what I was taught in High School regarding the Civil War, and it has been intellectually challenging to wrap my brain around some of these ideas and concepts, but a great experience.
The instructor did set high standards and his comments on papers were very helpful. I feel that I became a better student.
This course was intellectually challenging. The instructor posed questions during discussion that really increased my depth and understanding of all time periods from pre-Civil War through the Civil War and Reconstruction.
You can tell he loves what he does, he is so passionate!
His feedback to me was incredible. He took time to review my rough drafts and give me pointers on improving a point or argument...truly a great way to learn and I gained much from my experience.”“He shows you how to improve your writing with helpful comments.
History 306: The American West
💬 Student Comments
I felt this class was very informative and it will definitely be applicable when I go into a classroom and teach this subject. Westward expansion is favored by students in school districts and is a huge part of American history.
I've learned more from Prof. Fobare than any other teacher, he is always informative and enjoyable. I've recommended him many times to many different students.
He is a wonderful professor. He is very intriguing. He made me a better writer.
Easy to approach, easy to get in contact with, and always willing to answer questions both during and outside of class.
He was very constructively critical of my work, but it was a good thing because he made me a much better writer.
Easy to approach, easy to get in contact with, and always willing to answer questions both during and outside of class.
The instructor was very effective, as his lectures were terrific.
He is a very strict and responsible teacher. He will look at our assignments and papers carefully. He will also give us good advice.
History 311: The History of New York State
💬 Student Comments
Maybe the best teacher I ever had in terms of providing feedback to students. Always willing to look at drafts of papers. If a student showed genuine effort, he did everything to help them and I appreciate that.
This is a good quality course well worth the reading and research. This course will make you think critically and share your opinions both in class and on paper concerning several events or people that played key roles in New York's history.
I thought the professor's communications throughout the course were clearly explained and he effectively used a combination of in-person lectures and online assignments to enhance my level of comfort in a hybrid-type course. The professor respected and responded to student comments during lectures and responses to questions were in a timely and thoughtful manner that I thought enhanced my understanding of several topics discussed throughout the semester.
The instructor's standards for work were set pretty high, and I liked how it challenged me.