Bradley,
Yes, you would think so. I have learned that some "hand-holding" can be mutually beneficial. When I keep students posted of their performance regularly, I gain insight on areas they need assistance on, and students recieve this assistance as seeing their teacher care about their successfulness. I can also encourage and support, give advice, and sort of just "be there" to listen to whatever students have to say. This can help build trust and respect between me and my students.
Barry Westling
Should students not be able to keep track of their own grade based on the scores that the instructor has handed back if they are really intrested?
Deepika,
Right! It's important to discuss performance early on and frequently enough so that there will time to make corrections if needed. Also, students appreciate when they feel their teacher cares about their performance. So, I try to also offer encouragement and support along with advice for improvement.
Barry Westling
It is important because students should be aware of their at all the times. Which gives tham a chance to make a change in their grade. Teaches them responsibility as well.
Juan,
Terrific! Your students probably feel they have a good relationship with you and can come to you when they have questions or needs. That's the product when students feel they're teacher cares about their success.
Barry Westling
Patricia,
Great! Keeping students informed not only helps them track their progress, but can give us an opportunity to offer support and encouragement as well as advice for improvement, as needed.
Barry Westling
Hi Barry,
I make it a practice, when returning work, to give each student encouragement, and brief advice. I also tell the class that if anyone want to discuss any of the work with me that I will be glad to get with them. I put comments in their paper providing hints and how they can improve.
Our syllabus has all the information regarding points, absences, make up work on it - I go through it thoroughly on day 1, give them hard copies and they also have online access to it. I make sure they are fully informed regarding expectations. They have access to their grades online and they know I post them every Friday. When I have students whom I feel are 'at risk', I make sure to keep the lines of comminucation wide open.
Michael,
Right! Everyone has to be on the same page to get to the same place. When we share status, we can also offer personalized support and encouragement which conveys we care about the students success.
Barry Westling
This should be done not only for the students sake, but also for the instructors evaluation purposes. Status can only be improved if all parties in the learning process are aware of the accomplishments/ or lack of.
Juan,
Right - no surprises. Just like us a s employees, we want to know what our boss thinks about our work, how we're doing, and what is needed to improve. So it is in the classroom. Also, it's nice when the boss comes around frequently to observe, support, encourage, and perhaps, give advice. Again, so it is in the classroom.
Barry Westling
I believe that we, as instructor, need to keep the student informed about her/his performance, where they stand, and what can be done to improve. I like to return assignments by the next class period and provide good feedback on each assignment. The final grade should not be a surprise to the student if we keep her/him informed of his/her progress.
Nancy,
Your progress report method and going over the expectations early on are great ways to insure student adherence. Of course, not all students will meet all standards 100%, all the time, but clarity in the standards help avoid misunderstandings.
Barry Westling
Kelsey,
Even if they don't want to ask questions, I think it's important that a regular regimen of informing students keeps everybody on the same page as to where the grades will fall. No surprises. That's the last thing I want my students to think about my classes. We should try to be as up front about as much as we can.
Barry Westling
Juan,
Yes, reducing stress. Frequent and early on discussions about performance can really reduce the stress level becuse students will always be pretty much up to date - no guessing waht the oucome will be.
Barry Westling
If they how good or bad there doing they can work
on there weakness to inprove it.
I go over the syllabus the first day of the course. This gives the point value for tests, quizzes, homework assignments and labs. We also have certain rules set by the school such as if they miss a test they will receive 10 points off, if they miss a lab they do not receive any points that day. I also run their progress reports each five week course and they can go online to look at their weekly points.
Students need to be able to know where they stand and if they need to seek addition help and ask questions.
If the students are kept informed of their standing in class they will know what it is they need to improve on. Knowing their status in class will help student know what they need to improve on and help them set a plan for improving. If students know where they stand in class it will eliminate some stress.
Carol,
Terrific! Keeping students informed will instill trust and respect by your students. Also, personalizing this by discussing in person, listening, encoraging, offering support and advice - all this will convey "my teacher cares about me and my success".
Barry Westling
