RateMyTeachers.co.nz

Launched less than a week ago in NZ, this site already boasts over 21,000 ratings. Finally, students are given a chance (the environment and the means) to voice their opinion on the quality of their education. Sure, the quality of education goes beyond teaching quality and the ability of teaching staff, but perhaps the level of dissatisfaction indicated by such forums can highlight some of issues we have here. Before we go on any further, we must be reminded of my adoration of teachers, so any teachers reading this must remind themselves that I am not against you, OK! But if this type of forum is going to exist (and they will, online or not), then you might as well see the bright side.

I think it's pretty cool and has a lot of potential. But then again I'm one of those people who looks at these sorts of things as potential for self-development as opposed to a siren alarm for putting up barracks and taking aim at every critic, regardless of whether it is constructive or not. I mean, if you knew, as a teacher, that we bitched about you (if you were oblivious to this, then you are an ignorant moron), wouldn't you rather know why? Also, if from a substantial number of ratings (for, who would take a sample size of 1 seriously...), the overall impression is that you are a poor teacher, then shouldn't you take that as a sign for a need to improve? Or taking it from another point of view, if you really weren't that bad, then no doubt there would be students/ratings that would back you up - we are not all horrible beings whose sole existences are to make teachers' lives a living hell...

But again, it might be construed as a form of bullying, as indicated by many furious teachers [see article]. One teacher was quoted as saying that a site should be put up where they are able to voice their opinions on certain students. OK, for one thing, they should be able to discuss a student's behaviour, performance in school and overall contribution to the classroom via their report. For this is what RateMyTeacher is all about. If one actually takes the time to read some of the comments on the site, one can see immediately that students are (by in large) not their to bitch about anything under the stars, they are discussing (OK, call it bitching, it doesn't matter) about how their teacher's performance is affecting their learning.

I must admit that currently, their rating system is abysmal and does not give a holistic gauge for judging whether a teacher is good or not. The most interesting and useful tools are the comments, for they tell you WHY a student gave you that rating. Other students are able to reply to comments, which can highlight a real problem or reveal an outlier. RateMyTeachers has claimed that a new feature allows teachers to logon and respond to certain comments/ratings to justify themselves or to ask further questions. This could be useful, but I actually find this unfair on behalf of the teacher, because they have to be identifiable to use this tool, whereas students can post comments anonymously.

Some say that these sites should not be used and that problems need to be dealt with internally, via the traditional/official protocol. Hey, I can say for one thing that I have tried those routes and they do not make things easy for students, nor do they take your concerns seriously. Now, this is just me. Others may have had great experiences with these systems. I don't know.

I think the real concern of teachers is that their employer/potential employer or workmates are able to see students' opinion of them in the open. Usually, the protocol is that students do not discuss teachers in front of other teachers (out of politeness) and I can see this as being a potential 'bullying' tool. But it could also be useful. If a teacher can see that another teacher may need help in a specific area, then they can offer that (or the teacher can ask for help, etc). However, this requires openness between teachers and I can see that their may be some competitiveness or even pride at stake. But if one is not able to face their weaknesses and improve on themselve, to learn, then is one not being a hypocrite of what they seek to teach?

It probably boils down to one thing - the age old problem of teachers being ultimately more scared of students than we are of them. I think it should be known (I guess we all have to be reassured every once in a while) that we as students appreciate the effort teachers put into their work. We appreciate the passion they have for their subjects. We appreciate the concern they have over our welfare and success. Most of all, we appreciate that they are human. Youths are very forgiving to honesty and a sincerity towards improvement.

Also, it should be noted that I'm very glad some of my past teachers are being praised far and wide for their contributions. They deserve it. :) I'm glad that students (whether they be bold or shy) are given a chance to praise their teachers without appearing to be 'greasing' --- it's anonymous!!!

One thing I do wonder - what if you change your mind?

I guess the merits of this site remains to be tested. Meanwhile, I'll sit back and wait for RateMyProfessors.com to come to NZ...