This provides important feedback to the student on his/her progress in the course. This allow me the instructor to provide constructive and positive feedback to the student on what is needed to be successful. This also allow the student to provide me with feedback on any concerns or issues which may be effecting the student's ability to be successful. The is an effective way to open lines of communication between the instructor and the student.
Shawnte,
Right. We can steer students in the right direction when they begin to falter. That's why, for me, I like to me early on, give advice and encouragement, and do it in person as frequent as possible
Barry Westling
Jeffrey,
Students really thrive on information, including that pertaining to their class status. For me, this is a high priority. I like to share grade and course status in person, frequently, and early on so there is time to make adjustments to my advice and/or assistance.
Barry Westling
It is important especially when the student may not be doing well, it gives them an idea of what they need to do to bring up the grade.
It keeps them from being discouraged. If they don't know their updated status, they could start to get anxious. If they are performing poorly, they have enough time to improve or ask for help. If they are doing well, it will keep them motivated to keep striving to acheive the same results.
Jason,
This sounds great. Also, having students being able to see their status is a great asset. Even with electronic grading, I like to meet early on and frequently to continue a success-oriented dialog that includes status, assistance, and encouragement.
Barry Westling
I use an online grade book and try to grade all assignments as quickly as possible. I can quickly see which students are struggling or which material the entire class is having difficulty with and address it as soon as possible before students develop a negative attitude to the material or course. Students need feedback to reassure them that they are on the right track.
Kathleen,
Sharing grade and status information has a place of importance no less than that of the instruction itself. Students do better with feedback, support, and encouragement, and discussion with them frequently is a great way I've found that's successful. Plus it helps me get to know my students better too.
Barry Westling
Keeping student informed of their status at all time will help them make necessary changes to bring up their scores after seeing non satisfactory grades, or continue to work for the satisfactory scores they are achieving.
Maryl,
Great! Positive reinforcement is both motivational and a method for feedback. Formal methods are necessary and students like and need to hear from their instructor about their status, where they're doing well and perhaps where improvements are appropriate. I think frequent and early on is the system that works best for me.
Barry Westling
Formal grades status updates occur on a regular basis, are documented, along with advisements on how to improve, lists missing assignments and suggestions for tutoring if needed.
My favorite way to inform students how they are doing is more informal. I like to make a big deal about it when they answer questions correctly in class. I ask alot of questions to check understanding, and to practice for chapter exams, and when they answer correctly, I praise them ALOT. I don't have people being shy about answering questions.
James,
One technique I use with projects is to give a due date, but also earlier partial due dates, in an effort to "force" students to be accountable. For instance, I'll give a date for each of the following for a paper with PPT project: topic due by xxx; references used due by xxx; outline due by xxx; rough draft due by xxx; etc. I also allow the student to submit their project beforehand if they want me to comment beforehand. I also rely on a grading rubric that both the student and instructor are accountable for. Together, these measures tend to produce better results than just leaving it up to the student to decide.
Barry Westling
I have found the adult learner tends to loose focus and interest whenever they are not stimulated or informed about the progress they are making. In our setting 4 projects are due at the end of a 7 week cycle. It is amazing how many come down to the last week and panic to complete the work on time. Everything that impacts their lives outside of the classroom impacts the outcome.
Jamie,
I feel strongly about the importance of sharing class performance and grade information. For me, it's nearly as important as the instruction itself. So I advocate for personal discussion frequently and early on. Assuming a student is capable to learn, with consistent discussion regarding progress the student is more likely to perform up to their expectations, and meet mine as well.
Barry Westling
You want to let the students know if they are doing well, to keep them motivated. If a student is not doing so well, they needed to know early on, so they have a chance to make the changes that they need to make, in order to succeed.
Steven,
Right. Without direction and feedback, students can only guess at how their performance is matching up to our expectations. And we wand (or students need) more attention, assistance, or advice, this is the time and place to provide that service.
Barry Westling
So students understand their progress in mastering content. So students take ownership of their education, and that the education includes longer term consequences/opportunities and abilities.
Bakhriya,
I believe sharing grade and performance status is as important as the instruction we provide. Students need feedback, direction and guidence, and support and encouragement. There are few methods as successful and effective as taking time to discuss students performance.
Barry Westling
the students is much more interesting with course when they understand theyr status what type of information they will receive during that course
Mark,
Students really value grade and performance status information. For me, I put as much emphasis on sharing (discussing) grade information as I do in the instructional process, because I feel that more information, early on and frequently, gives needed guidence that facilitates a students making needed corrections, but also encourages their continued progress. Given too late or delayed does not produce the same effect.
Barry Westling
