African 201 TA Evaluation

African 201 - Introduction to African Languages and Literature
Teaching Assistant Evaluation (Spring 1998)

Please rate your TA's performance in the discussion sections, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score:

Ability to adequately prepare students for assignments (examinations, papers, etc): 4.44

Summary of optional comments on TA's strengths, weakness and ways to improve teaching:

1.	Strengths: He relates well to us and makes stuff interesting! Weaknesses: A bit harsh at grading. Improve: Lighten up on grading but otherwise keep up the good work.
2.	Strengths: Very well prepared to lead discussion. Weaknesses: He was a much harder grader than Prof. Hunter on everything he graded. I think that in the end unless the class is curved our grades will be hurt. Improve: Not a whole lot. Good job.
3.	Strengths: Good verbal skills. Nice guy. Weaknesses: Tough grading.
4.	Strengths: So approachable. Improve: Make more people talk in discussion.
5.	Strengths: Willingness to answer questions. Patience Desire to aid in learning. Weaknesses: Sometimes late for class. Too many assignments. Improve: Use questions that we had to write on note cards to stimulate discussion in that day's section if discussion becomes lulled.
5.	Strengths: He's enthusiastic and very complete in his preparedness and presentation. Weaknesses: His willingness to accept the irresponsibility of some of the students. Improve: Insist on making people remember dates and spend more time teaching - although this is not his fault.
6.	Strengths: Interesting to talk and listen to. Friendly and easy to engage in topics with.
7.	Strengths: Good knowledge on subject. Stimulates thinking. Overall... a very excellent TA. Weaknesses: Sometimes gets off the subject. Improve: Good question, he knows his stuff.
8.	Strengths: He's funny, engaging, smart, quick. Weaknesses: Tendency to ramble. Get a point out quickly/clearly. Improve: Stop mumbling. Get a point out quickly/clearly.
9.	Strengths: Able to speak well to the class and has a good sense of humor. Weaknesses: Not a thing.
10.	Strengths: Enthusiastic. Can be reached around the clock. Responds very quickly to emails.
11.	Strengths: He wanted everyone to get involved in the discussion and asked thought provoking questions.
12.	Strengths: Well organized in discussion. Knowledgeable about study matter. Weaknesses: Inability to involve entire class in the discussion/very easy to just sit back and listen to everyone else talk. Improve: Good job.
13.	Strengths: Open mindedness. Weakness: More ideas to stimulate discussion.
14.	Strengths: Control of class. Gives everyone equal attention. Weaknesses: Says "ummm..." too much!
15.	Strengths: He has a very friendly demeanor, which makes class comfortable, but at the same time a good knowledge and professionalism. Weaknesses: Perhaps lack of being able to get us to talk. Improve: Maybe trying to come up with specific questions for us to answer would induce more discussion.
16.	Strengths: Grabs your interest immediately and has great knowledge of subject matter. Weaknesses: - Improve: Keep being a TA - very helpful.
17.	Strengths: Relating to students and helping to relay the ideas in our heads onto paper without confusing them. Weaknesses: Very often says "um". I'm sure it isn't knowingly, but is sometimes distracting. Improve: Ask questions to stimulate conversations between all members of the class, not just those who always talk!
18.	Strengths: He really cares whether we understand the material and is always willing to explain stuff to me. Weaknesses: He doesn't always say what he is thinking when he asks questions and someone answers, he just says "yes, that could be also".
19.	Strengths: Mark was able to spark thoughts and creativity. He was the principal instructor for this class, as I got much more out of his discussion and out of class (email) interaction than I did from the instructor. Weaknesses: That he was not the course instructor. Improve: I have no suggestion - he was wonderful!
20.	Improve: Stop making quotation marks with your hands.
21.	Strengths: He's very helpful and patient and open to students' ideas.
22.	Strengths: Interest in subject matter. Willingness to be available. Fun in discussion - never boring. Weaknesses: None. Improve: Mark is the best TA I have ever had.
23.	Strengths: Mark is a very knowledgeable and helpful TA, always willing to do what he can to help his students. He is also an excellent speaker who is able to catch and keep his audience.
24.	Strengths: Self-sacrificing for students. Improve: I don't know - it all depends on discussion subjects - not Mark - If I'm interested or not.
25.	Strengths: Good understanding of material and able to put everything we read and hear in lecture into a clear and logical format. Weaknesses: Cant' think of any.

Please note: Summary comments compiled by the Department of African Languages and Literature.

1	2	3	4	5
poor		adequate		excellent