Paul,
Great. I like to meet frequently and early on to discuss status, offer suggestions and advice, and also give my encouragement and support. I want to have enough time to for any remediation or improvements to have an effect.
Barry Westling
It's important to keep students up to date on their status in the course because, this way both instructor and student are aware of the strengths and weakness of each student. This also lends will to discussion of a plan for improvement.
Terry,
Yeah, if we put ourselves in the position of the student, sometimes that can put a different spin on what we want to share with them in regards to suggestions for improvement. Personalizing the game plan is a sure-fire winner!
Barry Westling
I always put myself in the position of the student.....I would want to know how I am doing at any specific time. I can then make adjustments and focus on the more difficult areas. Study habits may not be correct for this course....with timely feedback these can be corrected early. Perhaps I will need to meet with the instuctor and discuss my progress...it won't help to discuss an item that occured weeks ago.
Students want to make the necessary changes to advance and they require timely updates.
Marisa,
Right. We have a duty to not only instruct, but also to check for understanding, and inform students where they are in their journey towards mastery. I say, early on and frequently as possibible to achieve the best results.
Barry Westling
One of my top priorities in a course is to inform students of their progress and any areas which need attention (attendance, grades, turning in assignments on time, etc.). This allows the student to be aware of where they need to focus on their attention before it is too late. Ignorance is not bliss! It is not fair to the student to be in the dark about their status in the course until the end, when it is too late for them to make the changes needed to improve.
Tim,
Yep! Can't get there without a destination in mind, and regular feedback to let the student know how close they are coming.
Barry Westling
Just as when we are driving to a destination, we need to make modifications to our direction constantly as we encounter different conditions on the road. In the same way, when a student is being provided with regular and consistent feedback on their progress, they have more control over their progress and are subsequently more invested in the course.
Richard,
All these stated reasons give support for frequent and/or regular discussion with students about their progress. Students crave feedback (good or bad), and look to their instructor for support and encouragement, along with suggestions and advice. That's an important part of our non-instructional duties, and a great way to build trust among our students as well.
Barry Westling
I like to let students know how they are progressing in the course for several reasons. Do they need to change their study habits? Are they comprehending my lectures? Are my lectures comprehensible? Do some student need tutoring? Do they need to spend more time on the subject.I give two midterms before final. A cumulative grade in the course is given with the midterm exam grade.
Lisa,
Right. No surprises. And if we convey we care when we discuss performance, that may be enough for students to follow through with the advice and suggestions given for improvement. Everyone walks awy feeling good about the outcomes.
Barry Westling
It is important to keep students informed of their status during the class so that they know where they are. If they are informed, they can do something to improve their grade or get tutoring if needed. Informed students are not surprised students.
Amanda,
Great. A good listener to whatever a student may wish to comment on only helps create stronger relationships.
Barry Westling
I do this too. Also, I pass out weekly grades so students always know where they stand in the course.
Dionne,
I like the time I plan to discuss student performance. It gives a unique 1 on 1 opportnity to connect with each student, sharing ideas, suggestions, and advice. This is also a time I use to listen...to whatever. I think the more comfortable students are chatting with their instructor, the better will be the relationship, and perhaps improved trust and respect - both ways.
Barry Westling
Feedback is the only way a student will know if they are on track and it reinforces the course objectives.
Rebecca,
I look forward to times I can converse with students regarding their performance and status. It one time I'm not being the instructor (but really I never loose that role), but am more like a mentor or knowlegeble friend who is capable of giving solid suggestions for improvement, advice, and also support and encouragement. I think this helps bridge the gap between student and instructor, too.
Barry Westling
I think that keeping your students up to date on how they are doing in class can be a great motivator. If they are doing poorly it may help them to see the areas in which they need to improve. If they are doing great, then it gives them confidence and that wanting to do great in the next class.
Gina,
Expectations are a big thing. I tend to believe if students know what the expectations are they will generally try to be compliant. But they can't read ou mind. So laying out evrything expected as thoroughly as possible is paramount to students understanding our expectations.
Barry Westling
Connie,
Great sentiments. I feel the same about transparency (with confidentiality) sharing student performance and status.
Barry Westling
