What a WONDERFUL idea!! I never thought of asking students to do that. I look forward to trying it soon!!
Hi Andrea,
Another effective way of getting feedback from students is to have them write down their assessment of the assignments once they are completed. I hand out a 3X5 card to each student and have them write their assessments out. They don't sign their names so there isn't any pressure to write anything but their true feelings. I have had many great suggestions without a student ever just using this forum as a way to vent.
Gary
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for sharing your approach to dealing with student situations as they emerge. Sounds like you are providing support that will keep them coming to school in spite of the situations they are facing.
Another very effective way to gain insight into how the students are perceiving your assignments is to give each student a 3X5 card after they have completed an assignment and have them write down their assessment of the assignment. They don't sign their names so they feel free to write what they feel. I use this all the time and I have had many great suggestions. With this approach the students really express their thoughts but I have not had them vent or in any other way not be professional in their responses.
Gary
I agree; I like the informal communication more than the evaluations at the end of the quarter. I think speaking with students and communicating via email and other sources is effective; however, I have worked with students who simply do not like a portion of the class and will not share that (I'm not sure of the reason yet). I only find that out, unfortunately, at the end of the semester. It is usually easy to 'explain' to a supervisor if he/she asks, especially because I do talk to my students so much during the term.
WE use surveys at the end of every quarter. However, I do think they are as effective as simply sitting down and talking with the students about how they feel about the assignments and how they are doing. I do hands-on class assignments and then I do research papers. They have to send me the papers in an email. This way I get all their email addresses. If I am concerned about a student I can talk to them more confidentially through an email. Sometimes it is difficult to talk to someone face to face especially an instructor. I seem to use email more and more to talk about specific problems and give them words of encouragement. To be honest I always thought of computers as losing a personal touch. However, I seem to get closer to my students with this type of communication.
Hi Andrea,
Good read on your students. You are seeking ways to help your students to be successful in their total school experience by arranging your class requirements to fit into their other classes. I am sure your students appreciate it and are successful because of it.
Gary
I like that idea, Gordon. That way, if students have negative concerns and do not feel that comfortable speaking with you directly, they can talk to their "rep" instead. However, I would like to think that students would feel comfortable coming to me with any concerns or issues. At the same time, I think that once ONE student voices a concern, it seems that more than one student has one (or more than one student has the SAME concern) that can be easily addressed.
Maintain constant communication with students and know students as individuals. I think it is important to know students and know about their lives outside the classroom. If I understand that many students have midterm exams, and I do not give a midterm, I can change my assignments so that students do not feel so pressured to complete my assignments AND study for three midterms in one day. I have done this in the past, and I can 'see' the stress level reduce!
What helps me best, is when a student ask me for help with a particular item or has a question, I always try to jog their memory by recall the point in time when the particular information or demonstration was given. I future back it up by having them recall very specific details about that time when the information was being given. I think it helps them realize how important the lecture and demontrations are the their success.
One method that comes to mind is to participate in group forums and discussions. Most of us have strategies that have proven to work and by sharing our individual experiences, we not only broaden our horizons, but may also notice shortcomings that we were previously unaware of.
By asking questions on what they just went over and seeing if the class is understanding by answersing the questions correctly.
It is imperative to ask just the right questions, that will be enlightening to all in the classroom. If we can discuss concerns they have openly and honestly, Their issues may also be an influene to others in the class, that may have alike situation.
Hi Joseph,
You did an excellent job of profiling many of the students today. This is why the secondary schools are trying to expose students to career exploration opportunities to give them a foundation of career knowledge from which they can make informed, meaningful and realistic career choices. I am sure this will help but the student still has to be mature enough to make that decision. Age of decision is based upon many factors so as you know it does not occur automatically at age 18. Keep up the good work.
Gary
After 20 years of teaching in a vocational school I believe that guiding an individual to their carreer goal is becoming more difficult. Many choices offered to the student today, in various industries, can become confusing for the young and problematic for the adult learner. The competition between schools for the potential enrollment has driven some people into believing the media assault rather than their personal decisions.That being said, once the student and instructor develope some rapport in class, then the student will usually declare a preference.
Family, social connections, and current trends will usually give the individual the foundation, but the structure is more defined by their daily experiences. If this atmosphere is positive then completeing a course of study is much easier.
Instructors can help with student retention by getting more information about the students, ask them about their background. find out what their needs and wants are. Get the information about their expectations of the class.
For an instructor to realize the needs of a student, he must must stay in tune to the student's feedback. Interacting with students before class start (greeting...) will provide a feel for any personnal drawbacks a student may have. Providing personal attention during tasks, will allow to spot specific needs.
I discuss this with my fellow instructors to see the varied methods employed so that I have more than one way to approach students to assist them in retention.
If students are showing intrest in the course material,and meetingcourse goals,then we have an effective strategy.
Hi Arthur,
The personal touch is important to students. By talking with each student your are sending a very clear message that you care about their success. Plus, getting to know your students is a plus because it will help establish rapport with them throughout the coming course days. Keep up the good work.
Gary
What works for myself usually is when we are in the lab environment I like to take a few moments with the students on an individual basis. Find out why they chose the school or the class and impliment there ideas or reasonings into my lecture or reinforcement of the material I am going over
