University of Pittsburgh
Office of Measurement and Evaluation ofTeaching

Dear Professor Michael Sands:

Student Opinion of Teaching Questionnaire Results
This form contains evaluation results for INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500).
Attached is a report in PDF format containing your Student Opinion of Teaching Survey results from lastterm. The report is best viewed and/or printed in color.
The evaluation results are broken down into three distinct categories. The first part of the report shows abreakdown of student responses to the quantitative questions. For each item, the number of students (n)who responded, the average or mean (av.) and standard deviation (dev.) are displayed next to a chart orhistogram that shows the percentage of the class who responded to each option for that question. The
percentages are above the number on the rating scale which increases from left to right, i.e. the number
1 equals the least favorable rating and the number 5 equals the most favorable rating. The sum ofpercentages will equal 100%. A red mark is displayed on the chart where the average or mean islocated. To calculate how many students responded to each option, multiply the number of students whoanswered the question by the percentage for that option. For example, if 14 students answered thequestion and 50% responded to option 3 then 7 students marked option 3 for that item (14 x .50 = 7).
The standard deviation is a common measure of dispersion around the mean that may be useful ininterpreting the results.
If your school had previously calculated norms, they will be on OMET’s website (omet.pitt.edu).
The second part displays individual comments to each question in the open-ended section of theevaluation. All the responses to the first question will be listed together after the first question and thenthe responses to the next question will be listed together after the next question, and so on.
The final part gives you a profile of the student responses to the quantitative section of the evaluation.
This is a chart listing all of the means for the scaled items with a dashed red line connecting the means.
If the number of respondents for any of the scaled items is fewer than seven, please be cautious ininterpreting the quantitative results.
Office of Measurement and Evaluation of Teaching (OMET)Professor Michael Sands, INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500)

Professor Michael Sands
INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500)10487-2131
Fall 2012RESPONDENTS = 30% OF NUMBER REGISTERED

1. SELF RATINGS
1.1)

1.2)

1.3)

Did the recitations contribute to your learning in this course?
Not at all0%

To a small degree0%

To a moderate degree0%

To a considerable degree

33.3%

To a very high degree

66.7%

A

33.3%

B

50%

C

16.7%

D0%

F0%

Other0%Credit/No Entry0%

Audit

0%

Other0%Less than 25%0%26-50%

0%51-75%

0%76-100%100%

n=6What grade do you expect in this course?
n=6What percent of the recitations did you attend?
n=6

2. RECITATION INSTRUCTOR TEACHING EVALUATION
2.1)

2.2)

2.3)

The recitation instructor was well-prepared for therecitations.

The recitation instructor appeared knowledgeable
about course subject matter.

The recitation instructor clarified material covered incourse lectures.

0%

0%

0%

100%

1

23

4

50%

0%

0%

0%

100%

Hardly at all

1234

50%

0%

0%

16.7%

83.3%

Hardly at all101/03/2013

0%Hardly at all

Class Climate evaluation

234To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=6av.=4.83
dev.=0.41

5Page 1

Professor Michael Sands, INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500)
2.4)

2.5)

2.6)

2.7)

2.8)

2.9)

2.10)

2.11)

The recitation instructor showed interest in helping
students understand the material.

The recitation instructor returned assignments withina reasonable amount of time.

The recitation instructor was concerned aboutstudents' progress in the course.

0%100%

23450%0%0%0%100%

Hardly at all

123450%0%0%0%100%

The recitation instructor treated students withrespect.

1234

50%0%0%

33.3%

66.7%

Hardly at all

1234

50%0%0%0%100%

Hardly at all

The recitation instructor provided constructive
feedback on assignments.

1234

50%0%

16.7%

16.7%

66.7%

Hardly at all

The recitation instructor maintained an environment
in which students felt comfortable asking questions.

1234

50%0%

0%0%100%

Hardly at all

1234

50%0%0%0%100%

Hardly at all234

To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=6av.=4.67
dev.=0.52

To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=6av.=4.5dev.=0.84

To a very high degreen=6av.=5dev.=0

To a very high degreen=4av.=5dev.=0ab.=25

Did you have difficulty in understanding your recitation instructor's spoken language?
No difficulty2.13)

0%112.12)0%Hardly at all

The recitation instructor provided helpful answers tostudents' questions.

The recitation instructor was available for help
outside of the labs. Mark (NA) if you did not seekoutside help.

0%
Hardly at all

100%

Small amount of difficulty0%Moderate difficulty0%

Severe difficulty

0%

n=6

Did your recitation instructor have difficulty in understanding the questions that were asked by students in class?
No difficulty

01/03/2013100%

Small amount of dificulty0%Moderate difficulty0%

Severe difficulty0%Class Climate evaluation

n=5Page 2

Professor Michael Sands, INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500)
2.14)

Would you recommend this recitation instructor to other students who are going to take this course?
No0%

Probably not0%

Probably yes

16.7%

Yes

83.3%

n=6

3. RECITATION COMMENTS
3.1)

Your recitation instructor would like to know if there is something you believe he/she has done especially well in teaching this recitation
section.
- Michael clearly has a substantial knowledge of the course material. More importantly, he always knew effective ways to convey andrelate the material to the students. He seemed to enjoy himself and that made recitation more enjoyable.
- Michael was easily the best TA I have had while at Pitt. I hope he can continue doing what he is doing, because he is quite good at it.
He clearly elucidates topics covered in logic. As I am not the best at this subject matter, his teaching method helped me greatly.
He is even way better than lecture professor..I particularly like his way of simplifying and visualizing the subject.I don't even listen to thelecturer.Highly recommended.
He was incredible. He would make a fantastic teacher if he decides to pursue it. Always engaging, funny, informal, and highly intelligent.
Prof. Sands is a stand out in my experience as a student. He not only made himself available outside of office hours, but also took thetime to understand what kind of learning tools are best suited for me.
I am lucky to have 2 long term learning relationships that I value very much. From that perspective I can say that I was impressed with thesincerity and dedication Michael brings to his role as Teacher.
The overall environment and willingness to work with us and watch out for us is extremely admirable. Recitations always allow us to workon lecture material at our own pace and without the pressure of a large lecture hall.

3.2)

Your recitation instructor would also like to know what specific things you believe might be done to improve the teaching of thisrecitation section.
I can't think of a thing!
It might help if he kept class time more tightly focused on the problems we had difficulty with.
My only suggestion would be that Prof. Sands already posses the skills to lead the whole course.
I also think that Prof. Sands is well suited to teach small, higher level courses. He excels at recognizing students' learning styles and tries
to provide multiples ways of understanding course concepts.
Occasionally, it seemed like we tried to tackle too many topics during a recitation. Still, he usually did a great job of managing the time wespent on the material.
Overall, excellent recitation, best recitation I've ever had actually.

01/03/2013

Class Climate evaluation

Page 3

Professor Michael Sands, INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500)

ProfileSubunit:
Name of the instructor:
Name of the course:(Name of the survey)

A&S-PHILOSOPHY
Professor Michael Sands,INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC(PHIL-0500) (10487-2131)

2. RECITATION INSTRUCTOR TEACHING EVALUATION

2.1)

The recitation instructor was well-prepared for the recitations.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.2)

The recitation instructor appeared knowledgeable about course subject matter.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree2.3)

The recitation instructor clarified material covered in course lectures.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.4)

The recitation instructor showed interest in helping students understand thematerial.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.5)

The recitation instructor returned assignments within a reasonable amount oftime.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.6)

The recitation instructor was concerned about students' progress in the course.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.7)

The recitation instructor provided helpful answers to students' questions.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree2.8)

The recitation instructor treated students with respect.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree2.9)

The recitation instructor provided constructive feedback on assignments.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.10)

The recitation instructor maintained an environment in which students felt
comfortable asking questions.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree

2.11)

The recitation instructor was available for help outside of the labs. Mark (NA) if
you did not seek outside help.

Hardly at all

To a very highdegree01/03/2013

Class Climate evaluation

n=6av.=5
n=6av.=5
n=6av.=4.83
n=6av.=5
n=6av.=5
n=6av.=5
n=6av.=4.67
n=6av.=5
n=6av.=4.5
n=6av.=5n=4
av.=5Page 4