Sensation & Perception Evaluation

Evaluation for Sensation & Perception

As of 2016, we have switched to a newer evaluation format. Below are links to the pdf files that summarize as well as show each student's responses to the new form.

Fall 2016 Spring 2017 Fall 2021 Spring 2023 Spring 2024

Older evaluations based on the old SIRSII form are summarized below:

Overall Grade Distribution: Based on FOUR class sections.

	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	D	F
(N = 127)	13.4%	11.8%	14.2%	18.1%	10.2%	14.2%	5.5%	7.9%	4.7%

Overall Course Evaluation Averages

Five point rating scales:	5=Very effective	1=Ineffective
	5=Much more than most courses	1=Much less than most courses
	5=Very difficult	1=Very elementary
	5=Much heavier	1=Much lighter
	5=Very fast	1=Very slow
	I.e., The closer to 5.00, the better the score (usually).

Section / Question

Mean

Course Organization & Planning

The instructor's explanation of course requirements.

4.56

The instructor's preparation for each class period.

4.70

The instructor's command of the subject matter.

4.70

The instructor's use of class time.

4.69

The instructor's way of summarizing or emphasizing important points in class.

4.61

Communication

The instructor's ability to make clear and understandable presentations.

4.62

The instructor's command of spoken English (or the language used in the course).

4.78

The instructor's use of examples or illustrations to clarify course material.

4.72

The instructor's use of challenging questions or problems.

4.65

10.

The instructor's enthusiasm for the course material.

4.78

Faculty/Student Interaction

11.

The instructor's helpfulness and responsiveness to students.

4.61

12.

The instructor's respect for students.

4.68

13.

The instructor's concern for student progress.

4.52

14.

The availability of extra help for this class (taking into account the size of the class).

4.52

15.

The instructor's willingness to listen to student questions and opinions.

4.61

Assignments, Exams, & Grading

16.

The information given to students about how they would be graded.

4.60

17.

The clarity of exam questions.

4.36

18.

The exams' coverage of important aspects of the course.

4.54

19.

The instructor's comments on assignments and exams.

4.39

20.

The overall quality of the textbook(s).

3.03

21.

The helpfulness of assignments in understanding course material.

4.42

Supplementary Instructional Methods

22-28

Summary data were not provided for responses to these questions.

Course Outcomes

29.

My learning increased in this course.

4.11

30.

I made progress toward achieving course objectives.

3.88

31.

My interest in the subject area has increased.

4.07

32.

This course helped me to think independently about the subject matter.

3.98

33.

This course actively involved me in what I was learning

4.18

Student Effort & Involvement

34.

I studied and put effort into this course.

4.03

35.

I was prepared for each class (writing and reading assignments).

3.72

36.

I was challenged by this course.

4.10

Course Difficulty, Workload, & Pace

37-39

Summary data were not provided for responses to these questions.

Overall Evaluation

40.

Rate the quality of instruction in this course as it contributed to your learning.
(Try to set aside your feelings about the course content.)

4.30

Beginning the Fall of 2002, along with the standard form, I began distributing my own five-question evaluation form to students. This form invites written comments designed to improve the class and is of course optional and responses are anonymous. (It is sealed with the RMU forms and delivered to me only after the beginning of the next semester.) Below are ALL of the responses I've received so far.

Written Course Evaluations

Were there any course topics (etc.) you would have liked to see in class (or on the internet)?
- Can't think of anything, except more about perception.
- Maybe something about phermones.
- I would have liked to learn more about touch and pain.
- No, the class was educational for me the way it was.
- Less info on the eye and more on touch.
- I like the class.
- Touch more.
- Covered all.
- More illusions.
- None that I can think of, maybe incorporate more somehow into the hearing part.
- More on touch.
- More on illusions.
- Perhaps fear?
- We covered a lot.
- Everything was good and informative.
- No, I was pretty happy with all the topics.
- More illusions like the ones used for taste.
- More hands-on experiments.
If you could reasonably change or improve one thing about this course, what would it be?
- I would have liked maybe more about percpetion and a little less about sensation.
- Change the PowerPoint; can't handle the blue on yellow. Actually, it was yellow on blue. But I get the message.
- More illusions like the ones used for taste.
- Nothing really, I enjoyed it and learned a lot.
- Easier test maybe scantrons. Better study guide.
- I liked the class.
- Slow down!
- Focus evenly on all 5 senses. Not enough time on smell/taste.
- Less biology of the eye.
- Not so much about the eye! Boring!
- Slow down the slides a little.
- Less about the eye.
- More demonstrations.
- Mix up PowerPoint background - boring.
- Less gross examples.
- Too much about the eye.
- Extra credit opportunities.
- Get a textbook that is more clear.
- Format of the tests.
- Give a variety of question types for the exams.
Is there anything you did not like (that Dr. Paul should definitely get rid of) in this course?
- Nothing that I can think of.
- The stuff on the eye. Way too detailed; just give summary.
- Essay exams. Mentioned by 4 people.
- Spent too much time on the eye.
- The threat of a pop-quiz.
- Less on the eye.
- Heavy book.
- The eye portion of class was extremely long.
- The chapters about the anatomy of the eye.
- Not so much about the eye! Boring!
- The crappy book! We learned more from websites and pictures you brought up in class - maybe have reading assignments from those.
- Too much focus on the eye.
- The gross comments and examples.
- Too much in the eye.
Is there anything you really liked (that Dr. Paul should definitely keep) in this course?
- Can't think of anything specific, but I liked almost everything.
- The stuff on smell and taste.
- Use of PowerPoint and notes online.
- The projects.
- The demonstrations. Interactive PowerPoints.
- A lot of difference things.
- Color perception.
- Pretty much everything was okay.
- Essay tests.
- The projects (they were cool).
- Yes.
- The illusions that you showed us were sweet. The humor was great too, it makes class go faster. Also, little examples of perception anomolies were interesting.
- Activities in class that involved more participation.
- The project. I thought it was fun.
- Taste/touch.
- Papers and experiments at end of course.
- Sarcasm -- he's hilarious.
- Anton's syndrome topic.
- His sarcasm and examples.
- Everything.
- Perceptions of pain. Very interesting and fun.
- Course notes online.
- Examples of various illusions.
- Way of presenting notes in class.
- Interesting facts/theories that were presented. Examples of tricks and phenomena. TEST questions very analytical and interesting.
- Enjoyed it all.
- Jokes.
What advice would you give to a student who was considering whether to take this class?
- Take it, but make sure to read the chapters.
- Be prepared to know technical crazy terms.
- It is a more in-depth look at psychology.
- It's fun.
- Be creative and openminded.
- They will have to work to do well.
- Read the book thoroughly before a test.
- Take it if you like learning.
- Read!
- Have fun. Read book.
- Don't eat before class, it makes you nauseous sometimes.
- It's very difficult to understand the material.
- Read and study ahead.
- Prepare for a science class!
- The tests are hard and you have to study a lot.
- Not really, just take it.
- Be ready to learn.
- Don't if you're not into psychology.
- You have to apply yourself.
- Take it, you will enjoy!
- Read.
- Have fun and read.
- Go for it. Read the book.
- You'll have fun.
Any additional comments?
- It's been real.
- I really enjoyed this class. I'm glad I took it!
- Nope - Great sense of humor.
- Be generous with my grade.
- I enjoyed your sense of humor, it made the class easier and more enjoyable!
- You're a funny guy.
- More little experiments, take place of quizzes.
- More hands-on experiments.
- Good class, learned a lot.
- Thanks.
- Great class.
- Good job teaching.
- I enjoyed the class.

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