Best and Worst Professors: Gender Patterns in Students' Choices

Abstract

Over 100 primarily White students described their best and worst professor. For "best," female professors were chosen more by their female students and less by their male students than expected. There were no gender differences in choice of "worst" professors. The qualities that students criticize are similar for their male and female professors, mainly a lack of organization and clarity. "Best" professors most often are described as caring and knowledgeable, but other qualities vary as a function of professor or student gender. These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to gender dynamics in classroom teaching and in student evaluations.