Informing students of status in course
Why is it important to keep students informed of their status in the course at all times?
Dawn,
True, especially adult learners want to know their status as soon as possible. Partly, this generation tends to expect instant everything, and partly because in many courses, even a few days delay can make a difference in how a student will prepare. So it's imporatnt status rearding grades, attendance, or professional standing be communicated ASAP.
Barry Westling
Becasue we are all in the habbit of wondering how are we doing, and by keeping them informed they will know how well or not so well they are doing. This will also allow you to talk to see if they need help with the subject
Maricar,
I like to use time to inform students of their status, and also devlop/build stronger relationships with studewnts. If students feel we care, they'll have more confidence in us as instructors, and perhaps increased respect and trust.
Barry Westling
Keeping them at all times is an opportunity to discuss and explore their strengths and weaknesses
Kimberly,
Students appreciate promptness in getting quiz and test results. As adult learners, they've grown to expect near-immediate feedback, and in many shorter courses, even a couple of days worth of incorrect information can have significant effects.
Barry Westling
Kevin,
Yes, and also frequent and early on discussions gives the instructor an opportunity to offer hope, advice, support and encouragement, which can add to effective relationships, and perhaps added respect and confidence in the instructor.
Barry Westling
I believe it is critical to keep student up-to-date on their status in the course. Promptly providing them with test scores is essential to their learning’s. In my classes each section builds on the previous section. The student needs to know if they have satisfactorily mastered the material in one section before tackling the next.
I always return the exam or quiz to the students the next class period. At this point I review the answers and explain how and why the answers are correct.
it lets them know where they stand in the course. if they are doing well, it gives the a sense of pride.If they are doing poorly, then it hopefully lights a fire under them.
Judith,
Very important to be forthright in conveying accurate and timely course status. There nneds to be time to make corrections (if needed) and to have an impact on the final grade. But, more than a grade, it's the student learning that's most important. So if a student is struggling with key or essential information, by discussing early on, we can assist them with helps, suggestions, advice, along with support and encouragement. You're right, confidence is a big part in the motivation level of students.
Barry Westling
Students want to know how they are doing in the course after each assessment -- so that they can make adjustments in their study time and practices. They also want to know how they are doing so that they can predict what their final grade will be -- their prediction can change many times during the course. Knowing their status in the course allows students to feel confident about what they are learning, and a feeling of confidence helps inspire students to keep going and to believe that returning to school was worth it for them.
Feeling confident and successful are very important for career college students to stay inspired and continue with their educational program.
Stan,
Right, students need current, up to date information about their standing class so that if corrections are needed there will time to see improvement and have it reflected in the final grade.
Barry Westling
Students need to be aware of where they stand so they can make any necessary adjustments as they proceed through the course.
If they do not get this information, they might slack off thinking they are doing OK but in reality they aren't.
lisa,
I like to discuss performance eraly on, and frequently after that. There needs to be time for correction, and for correction to have an effect on grades. Adult learners want and expect status updates as soon as realistically possible so as to not feel they've fallen into a deep hole with no chance to climb out before the current session ends. How frustrating that would be.
Barry Westling
They need to know they are doing well after putting in all that time. The opposite is true that if they are not putting the time in they need to see grades reflecting that.
John,
Motivation is important. Often it takes just a little encouragement coupled with accurate information to make a big difference in how the student view their instruction. We can give information, but also support and encouragement.
Barry Westling
Michael,
Right - adult students (and people in general) are consumers of sorts, and the current generation has grown to expect information quickly, without delays. This is especially true with class grades, points earned, progress reports, and other similar staus related information. What's important is that any needed improvements have enough time to see correction, and that students understand the expectations, and hoepfully value the scope of the content presented.
Barry Westling
keeping them up to date on their progress keeps them motivated to continue.
They always want to know. I like to know how I am doing in a class - did I understand the material, did I do well on the exam, what else do I need to study or what area do I need to focus on, etc.
I use weekly quizes that reflect that week's material, so the students aren't shocked to go days and days of material and then suddenly have a graded exam. They respond well to the weekly "non-graded" quizes and it offers me a chance to reteach or clarify any information they don't understand.
James,
Yeah, we need to be able to offer our assistance in time for the student(s) to make needed corrections, offer our support and encouragement, and advice for being highly successful.
Barry Westling
