Every semester students are asked to evaluate modules. Generally these are positive apart from 'that' student who you couldn't please even if you wrote their assignment for them.

This year a core module I teach, with about 150 students, received a brutal evaluation from a tiny handful. It is practically a full page of complaints, but some highlights:

'This module could be combined with 2 other modules' - all three modules are core for the professional degree

'The assignment instructions weren't clear' - when I have been told by colleagues that the guidance I give is just short of writing the thing for them

And I have saved the best for last:

'This module was mostly self taught' - um, yes? I give an overview in lectures, they have tutorials where they explore topics in more depth and have the opportunity to ask questions, they are given a targeted reading list - is it too much to expect then for them to do a little more research by themselves?

I read all this, and at first I was upset.…