Flexibility is essential, particularly when you realize that you may have to reteach a concept. I always try to manage my courses accordingly. Sometimes it can be challenging, of course, to keep the class on schedule, but it is important that all students are developing a solid foundation before moving on to another topic. Sometimes, it may be only one or two students who are having difficulty, and in that case I would schedule one-on-one sessions.
I take all suggestions into considerations and up date my lesson plan accordingly with relevant student ideas. I regulate them due to their benefit to the course outcome.
It is important for students to have input and suggestions for somethings, but also it must be done in the proper forum. Afterall, this is their education. They do have a lot of really good ideas.
I encourage my students to give input because that allows me to make changes in the way they are recieving the information and the way it will be presented in the future.
Student input is very important... I teach a very small class and group discussions happen often... It's an excellent way to get feedback on what weaknesses students have and how we can further work on that particular material or challenge.
We do have an evaluation at the end of each term, but directly i listen to students input and see if it would be an opportunity for better or different learning. I only make changes after careful consideration because it can be beneficial or detrimental so you can't tread lightly you have to make sure the changes are correct.
I've found that end-of-term course/instructor evaluations are just that: evaluations of the course and of the instructor on a general level. Next to never have I received feedback about a specific assignment or project in these evaluations (just "I don't like doing things by hand, I came to learn how to use the computer/software" or "I don't like using the computer, and don't think we should have to...yes, I've recived both of those in the same term).
If you want feedback on individual assignments (and I suspect that many instructors don't), then you have to ask for it immediately upon completion of that assignment.
But if you don't ask for it, rest assured that someone is getting that feedback. I can't tell you how many times I've had students in my class kvetching about other instructors and their projects.
Indeed, Billy. Heavy is the head that wears the mortarboard. Heh.
Seriously, though, as a student I found the courses where the teacher positioned himself as an authoritarian to be wearying. Yes, she should be an authority on the subject matter, and should very clearly be setting the agenda for and pace of the class, but when that turns into a dictatorship, students will go through the motions, follow the letter of the law, so to speak, but will actually check out, mentally and emotionally. No fun
At the start of each of my classes, I have a "Participation Challenge of the Day", usually a brief set of questions addressing subjects from their readings, or about a short article or video I present at the time. (The added bonus of this is that, as it takes part at the start of class and cannot be made up, it really motivates the students to get to class on time.)
When I introduce a new, major assignment or project into my curriculum, after it is completed and turned in, at the start of the next class session, the Participation Challenge of the Day will ask them to evaluate the just-completed assignment: how long did it take them to complete? What did they get out of it? How does it relate to what they've learned so far? Was it too easy? Too hard?
Now, I'm not 100% convinced that they're being honest with me (the reviews have been almost entirely positive), but at least it gives them an opportunity to give input.
I always welcome ideas and suggestions. I also try to remember what it's like being a student and try to see things through their eyes.
I always am open to suggestions from students. They may want me to emphasize certain problem areas. Different techniques work better for some students than others.
We also have a class and instructor evaluation at the end of the quarter that helps me gauge how effective my current lesson plans are and whether I may need to make adjustments.
I listen to the students regardless. Sometimes there are good points.I have a choice to use or not.
I allow all of my students to give me their opinions about daily task.
I always ask my students for their input because sometimes their ideas are very beneficial. Ultimately, I still control the final plan
Yes, I like to discuss with the students about where I can improve to help better educate them. I encourage them to let me know when they are not understanding a subject. The Quizzes and Tests they take tell me if they get it but sometimes it's not about the tests when your dealing with hands on proffesions. You must understand the book and the practicals....I encourage feed back from the students all the time...
No, I find that my lesson plan is exactly where it needs to be. But, I always take what a student suggests into consideration and may make it into one of my side notes.
Christopher,
I agree. I believe that being a course "facilitator" is an effective method for managing the class, as long as the students are aware that the instructor holds overall control. If student input is the main source of the direction of the courses, the students may begin to believe that the instructor is not in complete control.
Tremayne Simpson
Timothy,
I agree. When assessing student feedback, it is a good idea to find collective "trends" in their input. Isolated concerns may not be representative of the overall class of students.
Tremayne Simpson
Towards the end of the course I ask the students for any feedback and relevant ideas they would like to try during the remaining hands on portion of the class and it if I get a sense of a repeating theme I can add it into my lesson plan.
I do ask students opinion on the structure and the sequence of the material. Also, end course survey help us to know students opinion about the class.
