Hi Tonya:
Right - no one likes surprises. But most students also want to do their best, if given a fair chance. So to me, that's where sharing information about HOW to achieve improvement, as much as WG+HERE they are performing. This can be done by working individiually with students, conveying the feeling that the teacher cares about their success and is willing to spend the time to see improvement.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kevin:
Information technology certainly has created more opportunity to share information. That's why I think conducting frequent "connection" meetings with students, one part of it for status in class with points and grades, but another important part, and that is encouragement and support, advice, and patient, caring assistance to suggest to the student where they can improve. This personal time strengthens the relationship.
Regards, Barry
Hi Frank:
Hopefully, students will check their grades when it's so convenient to do so. Most students find they enjoy looking at their progress in "real time".
Even so, I don't think this should substitute for planning frequent personal connections with students, even if it's just sharing what else is going on besides school stuff. I think this helps build a stronger relationship with the students.
Regards, Barry
It is, and having an up to date online grade book is a great way to do this. Additionally, grades can be a great motivator for some students. Keeping an up to date online grade book really puts the responsibility on them to know where they are in the class, and seek out help when its needed.
Hi Eric:
Less anxious students will approach their classes with more openness and willingness to participate, therefore, if we can convey where their status is and give them hope for improvement, they'll be less anxious about their course and perhaps, do a little beeter thatn they otherwise would.
Regards, Barry
Hi Susan:
We use a portal as well. Even so, I like to "connect" with my students personally. I get to know them, share shortcuts or ways to improve their grades, assist, or sometimes, just listen to their needs or what's going on in their lives. This is one way to show I care and want them to be successful.
Regards, Barry
Hi Roger:
I believe frequent consulting or sharing grading information is key to improving the relationship the student has with their instructor. Besides the "facts", we can aslo contribute support, encouragement, and convey that we care about their success.
Regards, Barry
I offer grades to students every two weeks in a 6 week course. This is also combined with reviewing the exam or quix after they have submitted it to me so they have a genral idea how they did. The students complete exams electronically and know their grades immediately after submission.
So that they will know where they stand in the class at all times. Give them a idea of where they are mid way through course and then they wont be surprised at the end of the course
It is important to develop respect with your class participants. Today, we live in an age where information, (and lots of it :)) is available to our students in the blink of an eye.
Therefore, as instructors we need to be able to provide them with a "weather report" on their status and progress in the course much the same way our weather person reports in each day and tells us what the present and future holds.
They need to know their progress and if they are on track for passing or not getting over the bar to pass. I have students at times tell me they have never been told in the past on their attendaces or other progress by other instructors.
We have a portal system at our school that allows us to enter our grades. I love the fact the student can look up their grade whenever they want to. They can see what they are missing and where they need to give extra attention. I do agree that grades need to be promptly entered so the student can see their progress and hopefully give them the confidence they need to keep up the hard work.
This has always been one of my greatest fears when taking an exam. How did I do?
Everyone feels the same way. It may be upsetting at times but, at least you know where you can help & give guidence on the next exam.
It can also allow you to help them build confidence for the next test. If they start developing strength in testing then they will begin to develope strengths in other areas as well.
Hi Rochelle:
Keeping a tally sheet is a good idea, as it does help the student keep track of their individual performance.
I would say that frequent sharing of grades (comparing in your case) is important because our persoanl connection with the student gets strenghtened, and we can relate more normally. Also, it gives a chance to encourage, giving support and offer care and/or demonstrate comfort or concern, and give advice to improve results.
Regards, Barry
i like to give my students a grading sheet where they can keep with their grades and their absents so when i do mid term and finals if they are keeping track of there grades then they bshould have the smae info i have so we compare
Hi Julie:
Great. Frequent discussions with students informs, assists with clarification, and provides and opportunity to build stronger personal relationships, and that can lead to more respect and perhaps better student performance. Students need to know their teacher cares. These are ideal times to do that.
Encouragement and support, patience, and just plain old being kind and generous with our time.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barry and class,
I provide weekly assessments showing the number of points earned for the week. The assessment covers the assignments for the week and a detail discussion of strengths and areas to improve on. I provide specific feedback to help the student enhance upcoming assignments. This is a great tool to help the student understand the how well they comprehend and applying the lessons learned. It is also an opportunity for me to work with the student in areas that may need additional clarification. I work with a variety of tools that I will refer the students to...in many cases, these tools are forgotten about and a reminder helps to put this in perspective.
Regards,
Julie
Hi Justice:
The first class is so important. That's where we can express our expectations, set the tone for the class, and answer questions.
As the class progresses, we need to frequently and regularly keep students informed of their progress, giving up to date performace reports, and also offering hope through encouragement and support, advice and suggestions, and conveying how to improve, not just "you need to improve".
Caring teachers will be appreciated for thier efforts in this activity.
Regards, Barry
Hi Nicole:
Yes, absolutely! Frequent sharing of grades and general performance is essential, and the more personal we can make that sharing time, the stronger we can make the relationship between teacher and student.
Regards, Barry
Always let students get an idea about what will happen in your class. They appreciate it!
