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The Best Show on WFMU => Show Discussion => Topic started by: dave from knoxville on June 02, 2011, 04:24:13 PM

Title: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 02, 2011, 04:24:13 PM
Hi guys,

I am asking that you participate in an "art project" I have been considering for a while.

The following is my page on ratemyprofessors.com

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=695930 (http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=695930)

Students tend to overemphasize the significance of this site. The fact is that most students will tend not to record comments in this sort of site. As evidence of this claim, I would point out that in the 6 years the site has been active, I have had a total of around 1300 students. 23 of them registered a comment on the site.

I would also claim that a student upset with a teacher is more likely to post than a student who was satisfied with the experience. I can not violate her privacy, but historical data for a good friend and colleague of mine show that 94% of her students since 2005 stated in course evaluations that they either "definitely would" or "probably would" sign up with her again, but her approval rate on this site sits at about 30% favorable. The vast majority of her students feel positive about their experience with her, but the ones she pisses off get REALLY pissed off, and want to share it with the world, and anyone getting info about the teacher is scared off from someone most people feel good about.

If you follow the link I have provided, you will see that I get generally favorable ratings (and some of the criticisms I carry like a badge of honor; I am "too silly", or I waste time showing "videos", one of them, not surprisingly, being Tom's vocal re-dub of scenes from Clerks.) But I know that many of you are great and imaginative talents, and despite fear of being accused of stealing a Kenny G sort of idea, I would invite you to go onto the site and leave comments about your experience in my class. My school gives absolutely no weight to this site (since it's ridiculously unscientific,) so what I am asking will not effect my workplace standing in any way. It would be fun to get high numbers, if you feel so inclined, but what I am really most interested in is seeing some outlandish/ridiculous/absurd/surreal made up stories of my abilities and or experiences that took place in my classroom. A few suggestions;

1) My hope is for Paul Bunyunesque tall tales, ridiculous no-way-this-could-have-happened stories, or trippy descriptions of whatever you imagine might happen in a typical class day with DFK

2) I would ask that you not include anything that suggests that I have engaged in any illegal or in appropriate activity of any sort, hopefully for obvious reasons.

If I have any motive, it is to make students understand that this site and other like it are NOT representative of general student perceptions of faculty performance. Hopefully if they hear that my feet are made of mercury, or that I can shoot ping pong balls from my eyeballs, or that if every time a student gives a correct answer I float 6 - 8 inches off of the floor, or that the "Sweet Loretta Modern" from the song "Get Back" was inspired by something I did, they will understand that these things are not to be taken literally.

Anybody want to play?
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: yesno on June 02, 2011, 04:41:23 PM
Quote
The majority of the time is taken up ... watching cartoons on YouTube.

edit: I have added my review. (Which is not the above.)
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 02, 2011, 05:10:47 PM
Could not be more beautiful. Thanks! Join in, kids, this teacher does stuff you won't believe!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: AllSussedOut on June 02, 2011, 05:29:00 PM
Done and done.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: NJL on June 02, 2011, 05:33:21 PM
I promise that I will, Dave, but just not today because I don't want them all to be from the same date.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Greggulator on June 02, 2011, 05:47:05 PM
I consider things like this as my favorite hobby.

I now consider this, specifically, as my hobby.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ben on June 02, 2011, 06:11:11 PM
Done!  And fun, too. 
Let's get you that red chili pepper!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: fonpr on June 02, 2011, 06:12:16 PM
See if you can guess which one is mine.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 02, 2011, 07:12:20 PM
See if you can guess which one is mine.

BBQ saucerman?
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 02, 2011, 07:18:17 PM
See if you can guess which one is mine.

BBQ saucerman?

So far so great! You FOT type people are awesome.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Boogdish on June 02, 2011, 07:30:47 PM
bbq sauce was mine.  The real Fredericks comment is STILL OUT THERE.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: NJL on June 02, 2011, 07:38:14 PM
"Professor Vinson is the only guy who can psychically create images in your mind. This makes even the most abstract mathematical concepts a breeze to grasp. The best!"

Fredericks?
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: amazingjourney on June 02, 2011, 09:07:08 PM
Submitted mine. Retold the plot of a famous movie involving math, a young man and his professor.

It's not showing up yet though... maybe has to be approved or something.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Kormod on June 03, 2011, 12:21:56 AM
My review of Professor Vinson's fine work got deleted for some oddball reason.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: fonpr on June 03, 2011, 12:32:08 AM
"Professor Vinson is the only guy who can psychically create images in your mind. This makes even the most abstract mathematical concepts a breeze to grasp. The best!"

Fredericks?
Yep.

Lots good stuff developing.

This one got me though:  Vinson is the best. He introduced me to numbers I didn't even KNOW were numbers. I mean, "47"??? What's THAT. In any event, Mr. Vinson changed my attitudes about math. And life. And love. And THAT's one to grow on.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 03, 2011, 05:57:38 AM
"Professor Vinson is the only guy who can psychically create images in your mind. This makes even the most abstract mathematical concepts a breeze to grasp. The best!"

Fredericks?
Yep.

Lots good stuff developing.

This one got me though:  Vinson is the best. He introduced me to numbers I didn't even KNOW were numbers. I mean, "47"??? What's THAT. In any event, Mr. Vinson changed my attitudes about math. And life. And love. And THAT's one to grow on.

Well, Fredericks, next time make something up. You're just stating facts.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: AllSussedOut on June 03, 2011, 06:05:18 AM
"Professor Vinson is the only guy who can psychically create images in your mind. This makes even the most abstract mathematical concepts a breeze to grasp. The best!"

Fredericks?
Yep.

Lots good stuff developing.

This one got me though:  Vinson is the best. He introduced me to numbers I didn't even KNOW were numbers. I mean, "47"??? What's THAT. In any event, Mr. Vinson changed my attitudes about math. And life. And love. And THAT's one to grow on.

the score is now fredericks 47,021, and ASO 1.  i have some catching up to do.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on June 03, 2011, 10:22:21 AM
I did the obscure Ngô Bao Châu joke. I feel like Matt Albie from Studio 60.

I think I might be on that site too, but I don't have the intestinal fortitude to check. If you can find me, feel free to vandalize.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: fonpr on June 03, 2011, 12:00:39 PM
I saw that one later (I skip around) it got me good.

The more I read the more I regretted choosing just one.

Keep up the good work gang.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: cavorting with nudists on June 03, 2011, 01:32:06 PM
Oh Jesus. I'm in a restaurant and just about fell off my chair laughing at the Patch Adams one.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 03, 2011, 01:56:54 PM
This is the most fun I have had since I was dubbed a Supercaller. Thanks for playing.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: KickTheBobo on June 03, 2011, 02:34:38 PM
Sounds like you're juking the stats.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ogxZxu6cjM&feature=player_detailpage#t=80s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ogxZxu6cjM&feature=player_detailpage#t=80s)
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Steve of Bloomington on June 03, 2011, 05:37:49 PM
I love this idea. I'll write something up when I'm home.

Hi guys,

I am asking that you participate in an "art project" I have been considering for a while.

The following is my page on ratemyprofessors.com

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=695930 (http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=695930)

Students tend to overemphasize the significance of this site. The fact is that most students will tend not to record comments in this sort of site. As evidence of this claim, I would point out that in the 6 years the site has been active, I have had a total of around 1300 students. 23 of them registered a comment on the site.

I would also claim that a student upset with a teacher is more likely to post than a student who was satisfied with the experience. I can not violate her privacy, but historical data for a good friend and colleague of mine show that 94% of her students since 2005 stated in course evaluations that they either "definitely would" or "probably would" sign up with her again, but her approval rate on this site sits at about 30% favorable. The vast majority of her students feel positive about their experience with her, but the ones she pisses off get REALLY pissed off, and want to share it with the world, and anyone getting info about the teacher is scared off from someone most people feel good about.

If you follow the link I have provided, you will see that I get generally favorable ratings (and some of the criticisms I carry like a badge of honor; I am "too silly", or I waste time showing "videos", one of them, not surprisingly, being Tom's vocal re-dub of scenes from Clerks.) But I know that many of you are great and imaginative talents, and despite fear of being accused of stealing a Kenny G sort of idea, I would invite you to go onto the site and leave comments about your experience in my class. My school gives absolutely no weight to this site (since it's ridiculously unscientific,) so what I am asking will not effect my workplace standing in any way. It would be fun to get high numbers, if you feel so inclined, but what I am really most interested in is seeing some outlandish/ridiculous/absurd/surreal made up stories of my abilities and or experiences that took place in my classroom. A few suggestions;

1) My hope is for Paul Bunyunesque tall tales, ridiculous no-way-this-could-have-happened stories, or trippy descriptions of whatever you imagine might happen in a typical class day with DFK

2) I would ask that you not include anything that suggests that I have engaged in any illegal or in appropriate activity of any sort, hopefully for obvious reasons.

If I have any motive, it is to make students understand that this site and other like it are NOT representative of general student perceptions of faculty performance. Hopefully if they hear that my feet are made of mercury, or that I can shoot ping pong balls from my eyeballs, or that if every time a student gives a correct answer I float 6 - 8 inches off of the floor, or that the "Sweet Loretta Modern" from the song "Get Back" was inspired by something I did, they will understand that these things are not to be taken literally.

Anybody want to play?
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: cavorting with nudists on June 03, 2011, 05:54:11 PM
I was enjoying the hell out of reading all the reviews and even started yukking it up over the brilliantly ironic naivete of this one:

Quote
I absolutely hate math> But LOVE Mr. Vinson's class. I highly recommend him. A fellow student told me I needed to sign up for class with him when I signed up for classes last term, and I listened, thank goodness!! He is so incredibly patient and gives you plenty of chances to succeed. If you fail this class, you just didn't show up, he is awesome!

--until I realized I had come to the end of the FOT-written ones and started on the "real" ones.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ~L on June 03, 2011, 10:38:53 PM
Done in exactly 350 characters!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Steve of Bloomington on June 03, 2011, 11:41:02 PM
Dammit! I wrote 2 reviews and neither one is showing up. Review is awaiting moderation?

Lots of funny stuff in the reviews. I loved the 'back tattoo that said 'CHAIN RULE' and showed Gottfried Leibniz in a circle pit whipping a chain around.'

Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ~L on June 04, 2011, 12:50:56 AM
My second one wouldn't post.  The site might monitor your computer address and not allow multiple posts.  Try to post from a different computer.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 04, 2011, 09:10:39 AM
If they have to be moderated, the game may be up. Also, it just occurred to me in a flash of fonpr-think that "they" might now be accumulating FOT-IPs for some later nefarious purpose, like forced virtual chain-fighting leagues.

Keep posting.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ~L on June 04, 2011, 09:57:18 AM
It may just be a time lag. As my second one appeared today!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Steve of Bloomington on June 04, 2011, 10:37:30 AM
I wrote 2, and one was flagged 'under review', and then removed altogether. In the review I credited Dave with giving me the confidence to found Groupon, so I think as long as you don't falsely represent yourself as part of the management of a major corporation, anything goes.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: andyfromknoxville on June 04, 2011, 11:00:26 AM
Man, my dad is hot.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ChipSuey on June 06, 2011, 11:34:19 AM
Dave, I just wanted to alert you to the fact that your chili pepper set fire to my monitor and it's surrounding areas with the strength of it's flames.  Great work, FOT's!  I think he can strut in to next fall's classes with a whole new attitude.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 06, 2011, 11:42:19 PM
Everything that has happened to me as a FOT has been surprisingly wonderful, and I am proud as punch of the result of this endeavor.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Rasmussen on June 07, 2011, 10:56:08 AM
Finally got around to adding something.  I hope your future students are directly swayed by us.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ~L on June 07, 2011, 02:27:25 PM
I want to know when someone brings you a pie!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: The Brighamist on June 21, 2011, 03:22:07 PM
I'm a little late to the fun, but I just posted a review. That was fun!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 21, 2011, 04:23:04 PM
I'm a little late to the fun, but I just posted a review. That was fun!

Thanks! I think one of my colleagues just got a whiff of this endeavor, so it may swing the other way, just for their entertainment in the very near future.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Rasmussen on June 21, 2011, 08:49:46 PM
Whether they join in or not, this is the best use of this site I've seen
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on June 23, 2011, 10:09:43 AM
There are so many awesome ones, but "Minimettle"? Fantastic.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on December 21, 2011, 12:52:31 AM
I know this is asking a lot, but this was so much fun for me, does anyone have the heart for another go round? If you are not sure what this is about, just read the first post in the thread. It's an ongoing source of great amusement for my students, my colleagues, and even my college professor. Have a go if you're feeling it. Thanks.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Brandon0476 on December 23, 2011, 10:32:36 AM
Done, Sir. I hope you give me a good grade.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: dave from knoxville on December 23, 2011, 06:20:38 PM
Done, Sir. I hope you give me a good grade.

Not only that, but I will open your mind. WITH A CAN OPENER
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: ~L on September 12, 2012, 08:19:23 AM
The world has achieved Pi.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/14/pi_day_u_s_population_hits_314_159_265_million_census_bureau_reports.html (http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/14/pi_day_u_s_population_hits_314_159_265_million_census_bureau_reports.html)
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: fonpr on September 12, 2012, 09:49:02 AM
The world has achieved Pi.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/14/pi_day_u_s_population_hits_314_159_265_million_census_bureau_reports.html (http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/14/pi_day_u_s_population_hits_314_159_265_million_census_bureau_reports.html)
About damn time.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Kormod on September 12, 2012, 10:17:35 AM
We might be better off if the world population were just 3.14 human beings.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Bunny In Brooklyn on September 25, 2012, 01:00:32 PM
The day I (legitimately) received my first chili pepper: the highpoint of my academic career.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: fonpr on September 25, 2012, 05:24:51 PM
The day I (legitimately) received my first chili pepper: the highpoint of my academic career.
Tom loves chili peppers.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Lawrence Orbach on September 25, 2012, 06:59:05 PM
I have to say, I am super-proud of my post.  :D

Rave on, Professor Vinson, rave on.
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Kormod on September 25, 2012, 07:10:43 PM
The fake reviews are amusing. Some of the real reviews, not so much. You don't like watching YouTube videos in class? Eat a rock!
Title: Re: Operation ratemyprofessors.com
Post by: Flood on September 26, 2012, 06:13:50 PM
Reminds me of this: http://mathbabe.org/2012/09/24/evaluating-professor-evaluations/ (http://mathbabe.org/2012/09/24/evaluating-professor-evaluations/)