Never Wear Your Pink Shirt in the Forum: Student Evaluations of Teaching the Large Class 1

Abstract

“Never wear your pink shirt in the Forum.” Or so the advice goes to new faculty who are faced with the task of teaching 400 students in a large lecture hall called the Forum. This advice originated some years ago when some not-so-serious students listed “pink shirt” under the heading “Liked Least About This Instructor” on the student evaluation forms. Hidden amidst the flippant comments, however, are an equal number of insightful statements that, when considered seriously, can lead to improved teaching in the large class. Even frequently repeated comments such as “good presentation” or “boring” can provide useful feedback when teaching techniques are systematically varied and tested against student reaction. Based upon student written comments, the following is a summary of things that work in the large class, and some tips and techniques that have generated positive comments for us.