Hi Michael,
You got it. To improve, discussion is needed. We can also encourage, and also show we care and display kindness to students in the process. It's a win-win!
Barry Westling
they need to know where they need improvements and where they are strong in the course
Hi Sunshine,
This sounds awful! (at any level). Students thrive on feed back. Great if it's positive feedback, and even helpful when some critiquing is needed. But students need and want direction and are usually not resistant to it. Its like they're seeking leadership and we're the ones to provide it. So, frequent, early on support, coupled with advice, encouragement, and shared with courtesy and a sense of caring. That's the kind of teacher I'd want, so I espouse those sentiments in my interaction with students.
Barry Westling
Giving students prompt feedback gives them clear direction regarding areas they need to improve on and areas they are doing well in. It also helps maintain student motivation. I have had the unfortunate experience of taking an entire course without any feedback until the last day of the course. This occurred at the doctoral level, no less. While I did well in the course in spite of not receiving feedback, I struggled to maintain motivation or real buy-in for the course.
Hi Nikki,
Good deal! Among the many reasons, giving the students enough time to make corrections is a great reason to provide feedback early on and frequently. It also allows the teacher to provide suggestions and advice, and give encouragement, which suggests to students the teacher cares about their successfulness.
Barry Westling
So that if the grade starts to slip, there is time to communicate with the student on what can be done to correct the problems or clear up any misunderstandings of the material.
Hi Alvin,
Good points. Like a reality check. So often, students are ill informed how they're performing, how they could be performing, and what is needed to get their performance improved. Frequent and early on discussion are necessary to accuretly share where they're at, and give enough time for correction (if applicable) to occur.
Barry Westling
It's important to keep students informed of their status at all times in the course because it keeps them engaged and aware of where they actually stand in the class as opposed to where they think they stand. The students can adjust their approach to the class if they realize that they are not making the learning gains that they want based on your feedback to them. It allows students to express their concerns to you also.
Hi Liza:
Unless you're speakinga bout a traditional semester in college, three weeks may be too long a time for the average student to see the need for changes in study habits that might result in a higher grade.
Regards, Barry
Hi Audrey:
In fact, many institutions are moving to the same kind of grading record system that allows the student group to track their grade in the manner you've mentioned.
Hi Billy,
Great analogy! Communicating with students reinforces the feeling the teacher is both aware of performance status but also is interested in seeing continuous improvement. Like you, I want to be reminded where I'm at, and that there is a road map to successfulness in a class.
Barry Westling
Hi David,
You're right, students feel better with more communication (not less), even if the news is less than wonderful. I think frequent and early on status reports (even informally) can do wonders in keeping students current with their assignments, and it contributes to improvement in their ongoing class performance.
Barry Westling
As a writing instructor, I impose deadlines on my students. I am modeling good behavior when I keep my papers graded and all grades entered on a week-by-week basis. Besides, it is only just and fair to keep the students informed of their progress. Recently, I was hiking in a deep woods with Cedars all around me. I could not see the horizons, the sun or any other markers. Then, I remembered what it was like to be in a class when I was not told how I was doing. It was pretty similar to being losts amidst those Cedars. By the way, I focused on each individual task at hand. Eventually, I discovered horse manure and followed it to the stables.
I was in a course in college that was completely online. There were 2 ways to contact the professor: email and discussion boards. The only problem was that the professor never responded from either outlet. To top off the lack of communication, he would take weeks to grade simple assignments and the course material built off of each other the entire semester. I wasn't able to physically interact with anyone, but from what I saw on the discussion boards, the majority of the class was lost and frustrated. I know now that open communication and weekly grade updates are a must in the teaching world.
Hi John,
Yes, responding to the course facililitator advice and suggestions is so beneficial, it's really key to succesful completion of the course.
Barry Westling
Hi Timothy,
Great. I also would add that more frequently sharing occurs is better. And as early on is important so that there is time for correction to occur based on our advice and encouragement we give.
Barry Westling
So they know where they stand and then make necessary and specific changes to enhance their performance.
By informing the students throughout the class of their progress and grades it a. keeps the students informed as to how they are doing; b. gives positive reinforcement if they are worried about their grades and progress and c. lets them know if they need to improve - No surprizes.Both b and c I believe are the most important. In today's world there are many stressors out there and especially in career colleges the stress of not knowing is worse.Being able to know that you either need to work a little harder or are making it helps.There is nothing worse then finding out that you have not made the grade at the end of the couse.
Hi Destiny,
Right, early on, and frequent. Also, I think getting the student involved in responsibly tracking their progress in a collaboative way with their teacher works better than just one-way sharing of information.
Barry Westling
It is imprortant for me to inform a student of his/her status during the course so that the student is aware of their weaknesses and strengths. If discussed earlier on, progress/improvement can be made.
