Len,
Right, we have an obligation to conveying course and performance status in addition to facilitating their classes. Without that road map, the student could easily drift way off course, and if not caught and corrected in time, could prove disastrous for students if there's not enough time remaining to make improvements. This is especially true for low performing or marginal students.
Barry Westling
Keeping students informed of their status in the class is imperative to assist them in their studies. Students who are at high academic risk due to low scores should be made aware of this and the potential implications. This will allow the students to devote adequate time to preparation and to request additional assistance.
Eunita,
I like to personally meet with students if possible. If time is a factor, I'll screen down to just the the ones that are having difficulty, but I believe all benefit from the personal touch, even if it's just a compliment.
Barry Westling
It is important to keep a student informed of ther status in the course because if they are doing well is it encouraging for them to continue their studies. The one's that are not doing they can see where they are making mistakes, where they need to inprove and you as the teacher can encourage them that they can do better.
Brenda,
Yes, knowing where a stuident stands is helpful to the instructor and obviously helpful to the student. Improvement is based on performance, and discussion of that performance is key to adopting a game plan that addresses any weaker areas.
Barry Westling
It is critical that students know their status at all times. If they are failing, the sooner they know, the sooner they can make a greater effort to improve their score. We use an on-line gradebook that the students can access at will, this allows them to track their grades on a real time basis.
Kelly,
Yes, especially adult learners. Life experiences have trained them to look for progress, and also look for glimpses of hope and support from their instructor.
Barry Westling
Students want to know how they are doing overall. It is important to them to see their progress as an average.
Robert,
Great. Electronic grading (and instruction) is becoming more frequently used in classrooms, especially in vocational courses. I think the more frequent and early on we can inform students and ideally, meet with them in person to share progress, offer suggestions, and support will show we care and are interested in the students success. It can also illuminate areas the instructor may not be covering, or may need additional time spent on certain topics.
Barry Westling
We use Engrade.com in our school and it allows the students to see their progress on their own during the course length. We also utilize a mid-term advising form where the instructor will sit with each student individually and review their academic progress in that course up to that point in time. It can be a useful tool. Lots of students seem to like knowing where they stand at the mid-point and being advised of what they can do to better their grade before the term ends. Having the sit down with each student also affords the opportunity to reach out to troubled students and find out what is happening in their lives that is affecting their grades. Many will open up and at that point we are better able to help them succeed.
Camille,
I really enjoy the time I spend with students giving grade information. Good or bad, I feel I can present the information in a positive way and I like the strengthening of the relationship between me and my students.
Barry Westling
Myrna,
Immediate feedback is definetly a plus. As an example, many online courses use electronic processes for most everything. These students depend on knowing their staus due to the vitural absence of a real-time instructor. So whenever we can duplicate real time feedback, most students appreciate it.
Barry Westling
Dorian,
Yes, giving important feedback can induce students to bear down and get busy with improvements, or (in it's absence), contribute to students giving up. Our caring can make a big difference.
Barry Westling
Informing students of their status lets the students know if they are passing or failing a class. It also allows them incentive to do better in class
The greatest positive response I have received from students is the use of the electronic grade book. I have managed to grade quizzes and exams on the same day they are taken and have the grades posted by the end of the day. Students have quick access to their grades and have given extremely positive feedback on this. I then review the quiz or exam during the next class period. I also give the students a date when I will have other assignments, like research paper graded and make sure to meet that date. I do believe that the students do feel that this gives their work a sense of worth and respect for their effort.
ti is important to inform the students of their status in the course so they have ample opportunities to improve their grades if necessary. It also allows the instructor an opportunity to see if the students are learning what is being taught.
Tawana,
Yes, the information we share is vital to students knowing where more study may be needed and also gives the instructor an opportunity to make more of a personal connection with the student. This time can be invaluable and contribute to the success of the student.
Barry Westling
This gives them feedback on what they may need to improve on, as well as encouragement thet they are doing a good job.
Robbi,
I think students appreciate when their instructor takes time to give advice, share information, and generally convey that they want to help the student be successful.
Barry Westling
Students want to do well and know they are on track to that. By being informed of their current standings, they are able to stay on track. If they are doing well, they know to keep forward with the current practices they have. If there grade is not where they want it to be, they know it's time to make some changes and seek help. No student wants to be shocked at the end with their grade. Keeping them informed at all times will alleviate stress (for them and yourself) and better improve their performance.
