I agree that students need to be kept up to date about how they are doing. Doing it consistently and with everyone is a great challenge.
Keeping the student apprised of their current grade status is a good practice for several reasons: it improves overall communication between instructor and student; it gives the student an awareness of their strengths and weaknesses; and constant updates prevent "grade shock" if the student receives a low final score.
Hi Melissa:
Yes, and it gives the student a chance to make changes in study habits that might result in better outcomes for them at the end of the course.
Regards, Barry
Hi Sandy:
You've got it - and it fosters an open line of communication between the instructor and the student.
Regards, Barry
Hi Shantae:
Another consideration is that you allow the student a chance to make changes in study habits sooner than later, helping them succeed in that course.
Regards, Barry
Hi Tierre:
Exactly - and it fosters a healthy line of communication between you and the student as well.
Regards, Barry
Hi Deborah:
It also allows the student the chance to make changes in study habits, which may bring about more successful outcomes in the end.
Regards, Barry
Annette, I guess a couple of questions come to mind. Is it just one student making this claim? Or are there several that had this instructor? I've heard comments like that from students in the past, and I do allow for a little review of previous course material when it is needed. But I tell the students that was a prerequisite for my class and we have more than enough material to cover here. Recommend they retake the class if they feel they didn't learn anything (they will definitely groan at that suggestion).
I'm guessing by the use of the word nemesis, this student will resist any suggestions you make. The student is probably looking to either have an easy class, disrupt your lesson plan to compensate for something that's happened to them, or is just one of "those" students (I've had a couple myself over the years).
Best of luck.
In my experience, students are not necessarily the most adept at keeping track of where they are in the course. A good student may feel they are not doing well, or a poor student thinks all is well because the just miss a bit here and there. Keeping them informed as to their status brings reality back into the picture. Plus, it can help prevent a student from getting so far behind that they cannot make it back up.
Because everyone likes to know how they are preforming! No one likes waiting.
By making students aware of where they stand they are able to know if they need to refocus their studies or if their study habits are adequate. It allows this feedback to the student, but it is also feedback for the instructor on how well he is conveying the information.
It is very important to keep students informed of their grades at all times, you want them to know where they stand in your class; so that they may ask questions. Also they need to know so that at the end of the quarter there wil be know surprises.
Hi Shelina:
Right! And, so they can make changes in study habits as necessary.
Regards, Barry
Hi Brad:
True! By keeping students informed, they are given the opportunity to make changes in study habits as early as possible.
Regards, Barry
Hi Howard:
In addition to keeping up morale, it allows students the chance to make changes in study habits that might result in more positive outcomes.
Regards, Barry
Hi Alyson:
Right! To put it another way, it allows the student a chance to make changes in study habits so they might influence having a more positive outcome at the end of the course.
Regards, Barry
It certainly helps to empower them. When they feel they understand and have the power over their grade, they are more motivated.
hi Athyna:
This also serves as a source of communication between the student and teacher, which can facilitate better outcomes in the end.
Also, the student is given the opportunity sooner than later to make changes in study habits.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lisa:
Exactly - and by informing students of where they are, you offer them a chance to modify study habits in such a way that may result in a more successful outcomeat the end of the course.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jill:
To paraphrase - we can give students the chance to make changes in their study habits for more successful outcomes in the course at the end.
Regards, Barry
