Get Your Students Hired
Brenda,
Good idea. Students should be held to keep track of their performance. The grade conference also be used just to encorage and offer priase if that's all that's needed. Students appreciate the personal touch from their instructor.
Barry Westling
Mihaela,
Right! Like a journey, having a destination, with measuring points along the way!
Barry Westling
I also feel like the student needs to take accountability as well. I tell them to keep track, calculate where they think they are. That way they come to me prepared and then we talk and confirm the score.
Students go to school with goals in their mind. Each evaluation brings them a step closer in reaching these goals. They follow their attendance and their grades. Knowing their status in the course at all times reduces their anxiety and motivates them to perform better.
Marie,
In the end, students having an opportunity to review missed information, correct incorrect thinking, and to know their performance sooner than later is appreciated and helpful.
Barry Westling
I like the way you have a few days to post grades. I have also allowed myself some time to post are report grades. It is very important for students to have feedback on exams. I return them the next week. On the days we take a quiz, we review the answers after they have turned it in on the same day. This tends to help with that instant feedback. Unfortunately, I do not have the ability for electronic grade reporting, however, I do print off individual grade sheets several times a term.
Vickie,
Great. I'm a believer in sharing good (and not so good) information sooner than later. Adlut learners sort of expect immediate feedback, and to trhe degree I'm able, I'll provide as close to that as possible.
Barry Westling
Students need and want to know how they are doing. I always give a progress report to all my students every 2 weeks or after a major test so they know where they stand in the class. But I also let my students as a group know if they did well on a quiz or not. I always make a point of expressing to my students when they have done a good job on a particular task in class.
Marie,
I think the better instructors, the ones the students like and trust and respect, are the ones who are patient to listen to student woes, offer realistic suggestions, make time to hear students (or tutor, or remediate, or stay after and chat, etc.), and always offer optimism, hope and encouragement in their conversations with students.
Barry Westling
Students should never be surprised with their academic status. Posting grades within 24-48hours alerts students to scores and allows them to make an appt. and discuss their concerns. When I see a student is not performing to their potential I have a discussion with them to offer assistance, guidance, and tutoring. Students appreciate when faculty are invested in their success. Thanks, marie
Aldorey,
I think most students want to do their best. In some classes, even trying their best falls short. No biggie. By informing and then offering to assist getting to an acceptable level is call "the learning process" and the way we do it is called "instruction". That's our job, that's what we do.
Barry Westling
Michele,
Right! I've found students want and desire information and support from their instructor (even if the grades need improvement). It's all part of the process, and regular updates lubricate that process by providing information.
Barry Westling
It is very important to give an up to date status of the student in the course at all times so that student is aware of his/her class standing. If the student is passing or failing the class. If the student is failing you can set time and meet with the student and develop a study plan. Give the student an opportunity to do well in the class. Offer her class remediation, class review or tutoring, and go over the materials that the student having dfficulty with. You can also help the students who are passing to get a higher grade if they want too. Updating the student status will help them aware where they at in the class.
It is important to inform students of their status in the course, because it helps them to know if there are weaknesses in their study skills. It also helps to eliminate stress on the students part to get feedback quickly.
John,
This is good. And students like to know their status, good or less than wonderful. I use the time to also encourage and praise the work that is good (along with what may need improvement). We do want there to be time to make corrections and have that be reflected in their overall grade status.
Barry Westling
Acnknowledge it or not, humans are competitive, even with themselves. Keeping students informed of grades et al, allows them to set a bar or goal for themselves and evaluate how they are progressing towards that goal. It also gives them a wake up call if they find they are falling behind in the class.
Monica,
Right - no surprises. Even if the news is less than wonderful, I think it is wise to share the details of where a student is at in the class at regular intervals. This provides both information as to performance and also time to make needed corrections if that is applicable.
Barry Westling
Outside of posting their grades within the 3-day timeframe, I meet with students weekly or bi-weekly who are struggling with the class. I offer individualized tutoring because I want them to be successful and have an open opportunity to understand the information. When I meet with students individually, I document the meeting, what was discussed, solutions offered by me as well as the student and have the student sign the ongoing document. I also document any changes or progress the student is making to the writings. This method provides written documentation throughout the course of the student being informed of their status. It also allows me an opportunity to provide the student with suggestions to improve study habits and suggest study groups/sessions with other students. I don't want the student to be surprised at the end of the semester of his/her grade.
Hello Ruby, We developed a policy where we have 3 days to post student grades. This may seem like a long time, but it works for me (and the students have not complained). My class is not over until 330pm (Tuesday class) and a lot of times I have students who want to meet after class for various reasons (which could take me into 430pm). If I have an evening meeting to attend that evening and clinical on Wednesday, I won't return to the office until Thursday morning. The students know that I will post their grades by 9am that morning. We developed the policy because students would "pester" us about posting grades shortly after class ended.
Renee,
Terrific! This level of contact, communication and direction can only help improve your students performance and learning outcomes.
Barry Westling