Rochelle,
Do you provide your students with a written survey or do they provide their answers to you in verbal format?
Tremayne Simpson
I would always entertain the student's input but I have never had a student's input successfully alter my lesson plans. I do enjoy answering all topic related questions but I have time allotted for this purpose.
I do this at the end of a course. I ask them what they think would make the course better for the next students. I find this very helpful in pplanning for the next semester
Dan,
The key is to get them to engage with the course content. Even if an assignment "indirectly" appeals to their personal interests, they will tend to focus more on it.
Tremayne Simpson
That's an interesting idea - I will try that in the future. Giving the students the opportunity to come up with their own topics for papers and assignments is a good one.
I've given students the opportunity to express their opinions about changes to the lesson plans, but haven't considered incorporating the one you've suggested. I'll try it!
At the end of my class after the final exam is given, i ask the students to give me feedback on the class, regardless of good or bad. Any feedback regarding any suggestions for the class. I read them over and they are all anonymous. It gives me good information on what i can do next time.
Michael,
I agree. The best time to request for students to provide their course input, would be after final grades have been completed. This way students are ensured that their input (negative or positive) will not effect the grade in the course.
Tremayne Simpson
James ,
What methods do you use (in open class discussion), to ensure that your students are candid in their suggestions and comments regarding the direction of the course?
Tremayne Simpson
I seem to get more honest answers with one on one, there is no pressure from other students. I do it after they know the final grade to ease concern about how their comments might affect the grade. There have been times I use the group setting to discuss an idea if the student presenting the idea is comfortable with that.
We also use end of class evaluations, which are a great method getting input. Another method I utilize is a open class discussion. If a revision is needed to make the students learning experience more rewarding than I feel they have a say in how they learn the material. So I think their input is essential.
Tammy,
What methods do you use to ensure that students are comfortable with verbally expressing their opinions and course suggestions?
Tremayne Simpson
Michael,
Do you find that the "one-on-one" approach for receiving student input, is more effective than a group format?
Tremayne Simpson
I encourage my students to let me know what is and what isn't working for them. That way, I am aware of what i should keep doing and also aware of what needs some tweeking.
The lab portion of the final is done one on one, after the test is over I give each student an opportunity to make suggestions as to how the class could have been better for them.
Karen,
It is also important that the students take the evaluations seriously and complete them for all of the courses. Completion rates can suffer, whenever students do not see the value in completing the evaluations.
Tremayne Simpson
Jennifer,
This is a great method for receiving student input. I also use informal group discussions to hear candid student feedback.
Tremayne Simpson
Students evaluate the course at the end of the quarter. We take these evaluation very seriously, which can help an instructor enhance the course.
We have group discussions about the material we are learning and I get an idea of where the problem areas are for the students. I have found over the years that many students will have the same problems every time and I'm able to intercede before the problem arises in future classes.
Siobhan,
I agree that lesson plans should be tailored to the specific needs of each class group. I typically present a skeletal outline of the class lesson plans during the first session and add specific detail, once I have initially assessed the students in my class.
Tremayne Simpson
We have student surveys as well. These are used to better our teaching styles and make any adjustments if necessary.
