Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

This study examined the effects of class size, course level and absenteeism on college student ratings of college faculty teaching performance at a small liberal arts institution, Atlantic Baptist College (New Brunswick, Canada). A rating scale was completed by students in each course offered during the fall semester of the 1993-94 academic year. There were 743 usable evaluations which were analyzed using a statistical software program. A one-way analysis of variance was applied to the data. The analysis evaluated the impact of class size, course level, and student absenteeism in relation to five behavioral dimensions of instructional performance: manner of presentation, classroom/lab management, professional skills, relationship with students, and preparation/planning. Findings for class size were inconsistent but indicated that classroom/lab management, professional skills and relationship with students were significant while manner of presentation and course preparation were not. Course level appeared to be a consistent variable that displayed the greatest effect on student evaluation with students in more advanced courses indicating greater satisfaction with the instructor's performance. Results also consistently showed that, as absenteeism increased, student evaluation of instruction was less favorable. A copy of the instructor evaluation rating scale is attached. (JB)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert