It's very important to let students know how they are doing in the course, and let them know that it is your goal to work together with them to pass the coarse, the need to know sooner than later how they are doing so they have ample time to improve.
I give my students print-outs of their grades each week.
It is important for students to be aware of their status in the class so that they are not surprised at the end of the term when they get their final grade. I notice it is beneficial to those who want to improve their grades but I have also seen students slack off when they think they have enough points to pass the class.
Communicating with your students is critical. It demonstrates to them that you care about their education. There are laundry lists of reasons why a student may not be doing well in your class, by communicating with the student you may find there are contributing factors that can be resolved.
We give them a mid-term grade, exactly in the middle of the course, with days absent and tardies, as well as each grade on every assignment. Then there will be no surprises when they are not happy with their grade. Keeping them informed gives them the knowledge of where they are at all times. And, keeping you grades up to date gives them the opportunity to ask at any time where they are in the class.
It will help the students focus on their need for study. Will also provide them with a feeling that the instructor is well organized and wants to keep them informed. Many students will not study and when they see their midterm grades, they are more apt to seek help and prepare better for the course.
Hi Roger:
I think the more frequent we can communicate with our students, reagarding grades, or anything, the better informed they will be.
Regarding grade status, if you have ccess to electronic grade sheets, the students can view their status anytime they want.
If not, then both formal and informal sharing of grades and status, especially to the lower performing students is helpful in order to both give correction or suggestions for improvement, but also to give time for correction to begin to improve their grades.
Regards, Barry
I agree that it's important, so that students know where they stand. I give them at least two grade updates during a six-week course; like some others on this forum, I use an Excel spreadsheet that details all the assignments and activities with their possible points. I explain it both times; I probably spend 30 minutes of class time each time. The spreadsheet is designed so they have all the tools they need to update their grade and predict their final grade by themselves. In that way, I hope to empower them to be responsible and also to lessen their anxiety. I remind them that I don't "give out" grades -- I simply record the grade that is earned. If everyone in the class earns an A, I record an A for everyone in the class!
I feel that is plenty of my time spent on printing out and handing out grade updates. I find it annoying when I have students who, for example, ask me every day what their grade is.
I also am troubled by students who constantly "remind" me that they "have to get an A!" Some will even add, "All my other instructors have given me A's." I wish that more of them would say to me, "I have to learn this stuff!"
I agree. Telling them at the end does them no good and they aren't motivated to do well because they feel it is too late.
It is important to keep the students informed of their status in the course so they know where they stand and what they may need to improve on.
This will reduce the anxiety of wondering how well they are performing their work. Students are encouraged when they put forth the effort towards their assignments and they achieve their desired results and they are usually motivated by knowing that they are doing well. On the other hand, those students who are falling behind can be encouraged to work harder and can guage what is necessary for them to pull their grades up at any time throughout the course. It also encourages a good student, instructor rapport.
So, they can be reassured that they are doing well. Whenyou have students that are not doing well, they should be informed early so they can get tutoring if needed
When the student is aware of their status in the course they know where they are strong and weak. You can help to guide them to improve their weak areas.
Students need to know how well they are doing in the class. I make sure I give the graded exams back the next class and I show the class how to keep their own scorecard in Excel.
I give a progress report at the midpoint in the course and near the end a week or so prior to the last class.
I get frustrated when students don't have any idea what their grades are. I give their quizzes. exams and projects back. They have all of their grades and yet many come to me near the end in an almost panic state worried about their scores.
As a student I asways knew my grades and what my average was. I find it amazing these kids don't do that.
Roger
Hi Stephannie:
For me, frequent discussios of perormance (face-to-face) is very helpful. Although I use an electronic grading system, in fact the whole course is online, it's just taught in a tradiional on-ground manner, studentscan ge up to the minute updaes of their grades, points, progress, etc.
Nonetheless, I feel it's important to be able to connect and communicate with my students, to develop relationships, to sense where they may need help, and where and how to achieve optimal performance. Also, encouragement and support offered with kindness and a caring attitude conveys I'm interested in their success.
Regards, Barry
To keep them updated on how they are progressing, keep them on their toes so to speak and if doing well allow them to feel good for their accomplishment. If doing poorly to possibly encourage them to improve and where improvement is neeeded.
Hi Erika:
You've got a good process there.
I think the more frequent we can inform students of their status, the more time will be available to make corrections based on the advice and suggestions we've given.
This is also a great opportunity to also offer kind words of comfcort (if doing poorly), or encouragement and support, which may suggest the teacher cares about the student's success. Students will fremember and appreciate this simple act of courtesy.
Regards, Barry
I find that it is important because it relieves stress of the unknown. When the students don't know how they are doing, then they are nervous on how to continue through the course. I try to provide feedback within the next class, and I keep the online gradebook up-to-date. This allows students to check on their progress, know how to improve, and they also come to me with any questions when they see a missing assignment. This way they keep up on all their work and aren't surprised at the end with any scores.
Hi Lisa:
I think student performance and standing should be done as frequently as possible. If too much time expires between discussion of performance there will be less time for the student to correct or make improvements.
We can also use that time for encouragement and support, along with guidence, advice, and suggestions for improvement.
Regards, Barry
Students need feedback re: how they are doing in the course, both verbally throughout the course and via results attained through assessments and testing. The scores achieved will let the students know where they are in terms of learning the required information and/or skills.
