Ken,
Good point. Listening is a powerful learning tool that enables us to more accurately target our instruction to our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am involved in teaching mechanical (A&P} aircraft maintenance type courses. Many of my students are of different nationalities and both genders. By listening and observing their feedback, they help me to understand their outlook and teaching needs for themselves and furture classes.
Paul,
We need to seek feedback on a regular basis for the reasons you list. The more we know the more effective we can be in targeting the learning needs of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We do student feedback on each course and i have found it helps for weakness and strenth in my teaching. To leave certain techniques and to change others
First, we must encourage feedback. Many times we reach a large percent of students and not realize that the style of presentation, handouts, visuals, hands-on activity, Q & A etc... did not enable a few in the class to understand. Feedback tells us we did not reach them, and either by explaination or trial and error we final make a connection.
Our school is open year round as well. We also perform surveys each mod. It helps to have the feedback from the students, to see where they are implementing the strengths and weaknesses of both the school and the instructor. I always see the positive side of the feedback. I use it as a learning tool
Seth,
Good opening. This way the students can open up and share what they expect to learn that class session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to begin each class by simply asking the students what do they expect out of the class. It communicates to me what is important to them and in some ways I can tailor how I present information to them.
Feedback can help you to keep, alter or fine tune what you are doing to best benefit the student. I am a new instructor and I have learned alot from student surveys of my classes.
This is essential to open doors for improvement and growth. I respect my students reflection and view them as necessary feedback.
Instructors must keep an open mind to the feedback received from the students. If they are not learning or understanding the material you are presenting, it shows you may need to change how the material is being delivered.
Sharon,
Student feedback is critical for instructional improvement and professional growth. We need to have ways of collecting it on an ongoing basis.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Feedback from studens is very important. It allows to constantly get a fresh set of thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the learning environment.
Qadar,
Good strategies for using the feedback that is given for course improvement. Also, by "reading" the faces and body language of the students you are able to adjust your instructional delivery immediately to keep the students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Our college is a non-traditional. It is open year round. At the end of each Module the school normally does a survey about the teachers, the class environment, and overall the school environment. I found those surveys very useful. During lecture I observe the faces of the students. I setup individual meeting with the distracted one. Most of them they tell me what they want to see in the class and I implement, if it is possible.
Kelly,
Good reminder for us. Student feedback is so valuable as we do our instructional planning. They tell us how we should format our content so they will be able to grasp and retain it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Many times I have asked students for feedback on my class, and I am surprised at the things that they enjoy or do not enjoy. It is very informative; do not assume that you know what your students are thinking.
Okasamar,
What are some ways you use student feedback to improve your teaching skills?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jenny,
This is the "listening" part of professional growth. Through student feedback we can grow and improve as effective and efficient instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It should help you matain your teaching skills
