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Dear Faculty Relations听鈥撯�淗elp! I got my FCQs back, and they are awful. What do I do?!鈥澨�鈥撎�Unlucky and NOT in Love (with my FCQs)听

Dear Unlucky and NOT in Love听鈥�

I feel you. No educator is completely satisfied with the comments they get from learners. I have stories about my own experiences鈥攆rom learners saying, 鈥渢hey听dress听like a child鈥� to 鈥渉ow is this even a course?!鈥� And yet, we persevere! After all, comments like these are motivation to make meaningful improvements.听听听

Here are three pieces of advice you can learn from this experience.听听听

First, don鈥檛 focus only on the negative comments while ignoring the positive ones. Instead, look for patterns in your FCQ data: where did your courses generally receive higher ratings? Lower ratings? Do any themes emerge? Finally, ask yourself: Given these data, what鈥檚 working well? Where is there room for growth? What strategies and resources can you use to improve your courses?听听

Second, build a growth mindset about your teaching. Effective teaching is a skill that can be developed through practice and with resources and support, such as those provided by the Center for Teaching & Learning. As you gain experience using evidence-based, inclusive, and equity-minded teaching practices, students will respond positively.听听听

Third, you are not alone. Discuss FCQs with fellow educators in your program or department; a great way to share tips and resources while building a support network. However, remember that student evaluations often reflect more pervasive social biases. Evidence indicates that faculty of color, women faculty, and faculty representing other minoritized identities and backgrounds are more likely to receive negative feedback and ratings from their students. Building community and continuing to push for positive change as a university will help all our educators and students.听听听

Lastly, the Center for Teaching and Learning offers to all CU educators. We encourage you to use these spaces to process what you see in your FCQs and get the support you need to thrive!听听

Written by Preston Cumming, Professional Development Lead, and听Kelly Gildersleeve, Assistant Director,听Center for Teaching and Learning, January 2024.