Helps to keep the students focused. Provides feedback to the students so they adjust priorities and energy. Provides milestones to insure learing objectives will be met and the time to make adjustments if needed.
Hi Kimberely:
Good teachers keep their students informaed and reminded of everything pertaining to their classes. Some has voiced that as adults, students be responsible to track their own progress and remember dates and activities. I suppose that is one approach. But students like and appreciate receiving direction and information. As for grades, sometimes an opportunity to make improvements can occur if the information is shared early enough. Also, talking with students reinforces the connection and relationship with the teacher.
Regards, Barry
For the main reason that they do not panic at the end of the class wondering whether or not thay will pass. It is a work in progress, telling them their grades throughout...extra credit if needed and so on.
Hi Edward:
Recognition of performance is very important and there are many ways of conveying that. The most obvious is reviewing student's grades or status in the course. But the more frequent a teacher can make a personal connection with each student, even if that's just when they're sharing grades, I think that reinforces building a more positive relationship with the student. A personal connection creates a more comfortable learning environment, especially when the student feels they can ask their teacher questions and feel they're imposing or will be made to feel dumb.
Regards, Barry
Because the students like to see where they are at in the class so they will be able to see the areas they can improve on and it gives them a sense of accomplishment when they see their hard work pay off
Hi Dennis:
Yes, and I believe each and every contact is an opportunity to be a teacher. As in this situation, I can be instructive by reaching out to the student and offering my advice, giving assistance, or maybe just a little bit of encouragement. Sometimes I think that's as important (almost) as the course content.
Regards, Barry
Those are indeed key. Most students want to know what they can do to improve and understand the need for guidance. They also appreciate knowing where their strengths are.
Hi Dennis:
Here's my premise. First, I try to provide an environment where my student feel I'm approachable, care about their success, am honest, and try to be natural in my delivery. I feel I can then share good or less than wonderful progress in such a way that the students are willing to listen and heed any assistance or offers on how they ca do better. I try to personalize the connection each time I meet with a student.
Regards, Barry
The students benefit from knowing their progress and quality of their work. The can focus on those areas they need to work on. They can also benefit from just knowing their progress.
Hi Carol:
I always find it interesting who asks about their grades and who doesn't. But I know most all students wnat to know how they're doing. I try to personalize my interaction with the students at every opportunity. So when I share grades, I also ask how things are going, how I can assist in other ways, or if they need help in some area. I want them to feel I care and that I'm interested in their success. This also helps diminish the (artificial) barrier between student and teacher that may be perceived by students. If I can be natural and approachable, students will be more open to me.
Regards, Barry
It is important to keep the students informed about their course status so they know what they need to do in order to pass the course, and in order to get the grade they hope to get. This is also a way to let students know if they need to improve in specific areas of the class, such as turning in work daily and on time. In our school student are graded daily on both performance (what they have produced) and work habits ( how they work, neat, clean, sloppy etc). These grades are entered weekly, but on any given day a student can monitor his or her daily progress.
Carol Kravitz
Hi Rick:
Good point about viewing asssignments as chores. I think most teachers would agree that if the teaching environment and instructor is enthusiastic, motivating, helpful, and conveys they want to help students succeed, they will receive the benefit of students trying harder to do their best in return.
Regards, Barry
i let them know so they arent slacking during the week and come the end of the course they are not trying to play catch up. i try to let them know from the beggining to not let the course requirements turn into a "chore" attitude. we are here to learn absorb and retain the information. this WILL make them successful in the field.
Hi Gary:
I agree. The more frequent communication and the more personal the connection, the better the inforamtion will be received and chance for best outcomes.
Regards, Barry
They will consider it to be your fauilt that they did poorly if you do not keep them informed and also if they are informed and they have the motivation to improve, they will have the chance to improve their grade and learn more in the class
Hi Alyson:
Your fortunate your students have that kind of access. I have that too, but, like you, I find it still necessary to connect in a personal way frequently enough to satisfy myself my students know where they're at, and what can be done to improve. I offer advice, suggestions, encouragement, and reinforcement of their capacity to do as well as they want to try for.
Regards, Barry
My school now has online grading so the students are always aware of how they're doing in the class. it's a funny phenomenon that it's typically the students who are most worried about their grades. I always make sure I talk to the students with the lower grades to keep them apprised of where they stand at all times.
Hi Nancy:
You've articulated some good points. Automatic grading systems that students have access to via computer or the internet are becoming more popular and abundant. With these, students can view their cumulative grade at any point in time.
But not every institution uses these yet, and I think there's something to be said about the personal connection a teacher can foster by meeting wth them 1-on-1, and frequently. It can provide an opportunity to convey that the teacher cares about the students success.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kate:
Good. Keeping students informed is like watching your gas guage on a long trip. Attention is needed frequently and if overlooked for too long, less than wonderful results are likely.
Regards, Barry
I believe that every student has the right to know their grade at any time. However, I find that it is most often the students that are excelling that want to know what their grade is. If a student is failing I will go out of my way to inform them so that they can try to raise their grade.
