Jamie,
Do you have any flexibility, in regards to revising the provided lesson plans?
Tremayne Simpson
We currently conduct midterm faculty evaluations from our students for each class/course. The college is going to start end of term course evalutations. Our department has been going back and forth on whether to continue with our own since they ask different questions (more specfic to our program). Time will tell if it is sucessful.
In my case, the school creates the lesson plans for the particular course I teach, so I am limited with respect to using student suggestions.
after a lesson plan powerpoint i ask my students if they learned thru the powerpoint what they needed. if they have ideas, i will discuss them in class to get a group option.
Student input is a very valuble tool in the developement of a course. Lets face the students are the ones that are learning and if we can inprove that learning experiance we will graduate a better student. I ask them to give a course evaluatioin of the material and of the instruction.
We offer end of course evaluation. This allows the students to provide input.
At the end of every class the students are encouraged to complete a course survey and the surveys are reviewed by the instructor as well as the school administration. This way if all parties see an ongoing issue or suggestion it can be addressed by both the insitution as well as the instructor.
I keep open lines of communication with my students and ask them if there is anything else they would like to do or do differently as we work through lessons. Students take instructor surveys once a term. Those students who take the survey seriously and not use it to belittle the instructor, provide some good suggestions for class materials. Some students prefer PowerPoint presentation, chapter outlines, review games, hands-on activities, team activities. I look at student suggestions and compare those with my teaching material to see if I can add additional activities into lessons.
At the end of the term I ask the students to answer a few questions about the class. I ask them to be very honest and I tell them they do not have to put their name on it. I ask them to discuss the areas that I did well with, but I also ask them to list the areas they feel I could improve upon. I also sit and read every one, I want to know how to improve and I feel the students are the best ones to ask. I also feel it give them a chance to be involved and they want to know someone is listening to their concerns.
James,
This is an effective implementation of student input. Instead of asking for the student's opinion prior to presenting a new concept, I feel that it is best to implement it and then ask for their reaction. I feel that this process eliminates negative perceptions and thoughts regarding the introduction of new course content.
Tremayne Simpson
It is important to allow student input in a lesson plan. This information may be achieved during regular class discussion sessions or by end of class exit survey.
I usually don't, however... If I am going to revise something, and it's student centric, then I will explain to the students what is being done and how their work influenced it.
For example: During the report writing course, I found huge errors in basic English language use, structure, spelling, etc. I had a GE instructor provide a "refresher" and since there was a dramatic incrase in work product, added it to the course.
I explained to the students that due to the increase in quality of their work, I was adding this to the class. I then asked them if they would have preferred it in the first week or later. They all agreed that it should be done in the first day and I have made the changes.
The students feel that they have ownership of their program and that they are listened to.
I don't allow them unlimited input. We do have student surveys that are completed twice a year and we draw off of the comments.
Michael,
This is an excellent example of how subtle student input can positively effect the class lesson plan. If you did not receive the student input, you may not have known about the specific topics that needed to presented in class.
Tremayne Simpson
I have had students ask me to teach them something specific in my web design class. If it fits the overall context of the class, I definitely include it! They think this is great, because it makes the lesson very relevant to them.
Steven,
I understand that the curriculum is standardized, however are the course lesson plans standard as well?
Tremayne Simpson
Jim,
I agree. If student feel comfortable to provide feedback during the course, then there should not be any "surprises" when an instructor reviews the final course survey.
Tremayne Simpson
vera,
This sounds like an effective method for enabling students to provide their feedback. By providing them time each week, you are able address any potential issues quickly, instead of waiting until the final course surveys.
Tremayne Simpson
We have an end of class online questionaire about the class, teacher, and facilities. Sometimes you get good feedback other times it's just the students venting about items out of our control. I also go and ask them questions while they are in groups and I usually get better feedback about likes and dislikes regarding the curriculum.
Unfortunately, no. The curriculum is handed down from our corporate offices and must be adhered to for consistentcy amongst campuses. Changing or altering approved curriculum could potentially put us in DoE violation, and jeopardize our accreditation.
I believe it is important to ask students for feedback throughout the course. At the end of the course, our institution provides a survey that allows the students the oppurtunity to give input. I encourage the students to answer the survey honestly and to answer all open ended questions.
