The Value of Student Feedback in Open Forums - A Natural Language Analysis of Descriptions of Poorly Rated Teachers

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca

This paper applies natural language processing to review hundreds of thousands of negative student reviews of teachers submitted to RateMyTeacher.com. The analysis identifies recurring issues raised by students when rating teachers poorly and situates these findings within research defining “bad teachers” from the student perspective. It also examines the language students use to describe teaching-related complaints versus perceived teacher-inappropriate behavior, arguing for policy-relevant value of digital forums.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages41

Reading Time1 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Study approach and data source

Key findings and implications

education policy analysis archives A peer-reviewed, independent, open access, multilingual journal Arizona State University | Volume 29 Number 79 | June 7 , 2021 | ISSN 1068-2341 | | --- | --- | --- | The Value of Student Feedback in Open Forums: A Natural Language Analysis of Descriptions of Poorly Rated Teachers Carlos Valcarcel Jefferey Holmes David C. Berliner & Mari Koerner Arizona State University United States Citation: Valcarcel, C., Holmes, J. Berliner, D. C., & Koerner, M. (2021) . The value of student feedback in open forums: A natural analysis of descriptions of poorly rated teachers. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 29(79). [https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.6289](https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.29.6289) [Abstract:](Abstract: In this paper we used natural language processing to review hundreds of)[ In this paper we used natural language processing to review hundreds of](Abstract: In this paper we used natural language processing to review hundreds of)[ ](Abstract: In this paper we used natural language processing to review hundreds of)thousands of negative student reviews of their teachers submitted to the website [RateMyTeacher.com. Our](RateMyTeacher.com. Our) analysis identified several issues raised by students when rating teachers poorly, which adds to the literature that defines “bad teachers” from the student perspective. We also identify the language students used to describe these issues and notice a clear distinction between the language used to address teaching-related complaints and behavior perceived as unfit for teachers. We argue that digital forums can be valuable tools for schools and conclude with suggestions and examples of the type of policies that may be derived from this type of analysis of a digital forum for students. Keywords: student evaluation of teacher performance; natural language processing; feedback (response); school policy; high schools; middle schools El valor de las respuestas de los estudiantes en foros abiertos: Un análisis natural de las descripciones de los profesores que recibieron una mala calificación Resumen: En este documento utilizamos el procesamiento del lenguaje natural para revisarcientos de miles de reseñas negativas de los estudiantes sobre sus maestros enviadas al sitio web [RateMyTeacher.com. Nuestro](RateMyTeacher.com. Nuestro) análisis identificó varios problemas planteados por los estudiantes al calificar mal a los maestros, lo que se suma a la literatura que define a los “malos maestros”desde la perspectiva del estudiante. También identificamos el idioma que los estudiantes usaron para describir estos problemas y notamos una clara distinción entre el idioma usado para abordar las quejas relacionadas con la enseñanza y el comportamiento percibido como inadecuado para la enseñanza. Argumentamos que los foros digitales pueden ser herramientas valiosas para las escuelas y concluimos con sugerencias y ejemplos del tipo de políticas que se pueden derivar de este tipo de análisis de un foro digital para estudiantes. Keywords: evaluación estudiantil del desempeño docente; procesamiento natural del lenguaje; retroalimentación (respuesta); política escolar; escuela secundaria; escuelas intermedias O valor das respostas dos alunos em fóruns abertos: Uma análise natural das descrições de professores que foram mal avaliados Resumo: Neste artigo, usamos o processamento de linguagem natural para revisar centenas demilhares de avaliações negativas de alunos de seus professores enviadas para o site [RateMyTeacher.com. Nossa](RateMyTeacher.com. Nossa) análise identificou várias questões levantadas pelos alunos ao avaliar mal os professores, o que contribui para a literatura que define “professores ruins” da perspectiva do aluno. Também identificamos a linguagem que os alunos usam para descreveressas questões e notamos uma distinção clara entre a linguagem usada para lidar com queixas relacionadas ao ensino e o comportamento percebido

FAQs

What data source is used to analyze student feedback?

The study uses negative student reviews submitted to RateMyTeacher.com.

Which method does the paper use to study teacher ratings?

The paper uses natural language processing to analyze the descriptions in the reviews.

What distinction does the analysis highlight in student language?

It distinguishes language used to address teaching-related complaints from language describing behavior perceived as unfit for teachers.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca