African 211 TA Evaluation

African 211 - The African Autobiography
Teaching Assistant Evaluation (Fall 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): 4.54

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

1.	Strengths: Clearly explains all material. Weaknesses: Nothing. Improve: Nothing.
2.	Strengths: Willingness and ability to help us understand what we may not completely understand/know. Weaknesses: His ability to entice us to speak up more in discussion. Improve: Expect more - think "self fulfilling prophecy".
3.	Strengths: Really clears things up. Can explain major themes well.
4.	Strengths: Well spoken and knowledgeable on subject matter. Weaknesses: NA. Improve: NA.
5.	Strengths: Very good at stimulating discussions. His passion for the material made you enjoy it. Took time to make up sample questions to stimulate group discussions.
6.	Strengths: Did an over and above the call of duty job. Was always available when I needed help.
7.	Strengths: Mostly everything. Weaknesses: Lack of time. Improve: Become a professor. Quite frankly, best TA I've ever had, by far.
8.	Strengths: Creating discussions, helping us interpret the literature. Weaknesses: Says "um" a lot. Improve: Work on public speaking.
9.	Strengths: Insights into the reading. Improve: More visual aids.
10.	Strengths: Openness. Energy.
11.	Strengths: Very prepared and strong knowledge of the material. Always able to get discussion going. Very helpful! Weaknesses: None. Improve: Nothing, best and most involved TA I have ever had for any course.
12.	Strengths: Very knowledgeable, very enthused, very friendly. Tried hard to make discussion fun. Weaknesses: Tried, but had a hard time getting people to participate.
13.	Strengths: Great teacher, stimulator of interest in the course material. One of the better TA's I've had at this University. Weaknesses: Preparing samples for exams. Improve: See above.
14.	Strengths: He's awesome - goes out of his way to be helpful in and out of class. Sends helpful emails. Is willing to give extra help. Seems very committed to making sure we learn something. Weaknesses: Some of the discussions seemed to be a little random - lots of tangents BUT it got better throughout the semester. Improve: Keep it focused. For the most part he is already incredibly helpful.
15.	Strengths: Understanding, helpful, interesting. Weaknesses: None. Improve: I think he does a wonderful job already.
16.	Strengths: Very knowledgeable.
17.	Strengths: Enthusiasm, preparation and personality. Weaknesses: Need to try to stimulate some of the people who don't participate. Improve: Call on people and put them on the hot spot.
18.	Strengths: Enthusiasm, careful thought, considerate. Weaknesses: "um..." Try to eliminate/lessen this from speech. Improve: More student involvement, less lecturing.
19.	Strengths: Explaining. Easy going. Interesting. Weaknesses: None. Improve: Have students be more involved.
20.	Strengths: Mark is the most competent instructor I have had (including professors). He has vast knowledge and a great ability to convey it to his students. He is always available - at home, office, and email. I wish I could have him every semester. Weaknesses: None (maybe too perfect!).
21.	Strengths: Very good at getting class involved in discussions, which makes the class fun.
22.	Strengths: Answering questions. Allowing personal thoughts in discussions. Weaknesses: None. Improve: Nothing.
23.	Strengths: Very attentive to the needs of his students. Very clear in explaining concepts and ideas. Getting the class involved. Improve: Have assignments on our own.
24.	Strengths: He knows what he's talking about.
25.	Weaknesses: Not having the books read as far as assigned by the Professor. It limits the discussions to what TA has read, not where students are at.
26.	Strengths: His discussions brought the lectures which could sometimes be confusing into focus and he was fairly open to discussion.
27.	Strengths: Everything he knows and explained the material clearly. Weaknesses: There are no weaknesses.
28.	Strengths: Ability to communicate subtle material to the class.
29.	Strengths: Expressions. Weaknesses: None. Improve: Nothing other than teach the course.
30.	Strengths: Well, he is free with everybody and I really recommend him as a teacher. Weaknesses: I do not consider him have weaknesses.
31.	Strengths: Very well prepared.
32.	Strengths: Knowledge of subject. Ability to relate to students. Weaknesses: None. Improve: Keep up the good work!
33.	Strengths: Everything - Interesting, to-the-point. Wonderful job of tying things together and emphasizing major points. Weaknesses: None.

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

1	2	3	4	5
poor		adequate		excellent