Get Your Students Hired
I encourage students input about the subject covered as long as it follows the course material. The questions or information about the topic is then brought up in class as a group discussion so everyone has the opportunity to learn additional information.
Chris,
I agree, you must always use caution when considering student suggestions. In most cases, I have used a "pre-populated" survey tool that enables them to provide input, however in a restrictive context. "Guided input" can be easily managed and possibly implemented.
Tremayne Simpson
I am the teacher. Students rely on me to know what's right to do. If they suggest something that might be fun , I will consider it but you need to be very careful.
Carol,
In some cases, lesson planning can be slightly different from creating the course syllabus. The course syllabus provides and overview of the course and a topical outline of items that will be covered. Lesson planning occurs daily, within the structure of the class. Therefore, a student could assist in providing input on the lesson plan, as long as it fits within the realm of the topical outline of the syllabus.
Tremayne Simpson
Fred,
If the student input was provided in a "structured" manner (i.e. survey, online forum, etc.) do you still think that their feedback (regarding lesson plans) would not be productive for the planning of the class?
Tremayne Simpson
Hello,
If I allowed students to participate in creating the syllabus, I feel as though they would look at this act as unpreparedness on my part - I could be wrong.
Carol Myslinski
Hello,
We have a standardized curriculum, so there is room for changing the syllabus. However, I do allow students the opportunity to create assignments, such as writing topics and quizzes.
Carol Myslinski
I have limited time. I do notice they like the group activities and try to incorrporated them more often to keep them engaged.
No, I don't allow students to provide input for lesson plans. Although it may appear that they are participating in the learning process, I believe it is unproductive and unnecessary.
Fred
Norman,
Our courses have a similar student evaluation method, however the forms are separated by "course" and "instructor", with areas for open comments on each.
Tremayne Simpson
Each course has two forms of student critique. The first is more a standard, statistics, grading format while the second is for student personal comments regarding relevancy and what might be added or subtracted from each lesson.
yes. I always like to hear the students ideas and feedback on how to make things better in classroom. I feel I am always learning from them!
I might not always use their suggestions, but I certainly appreciate their input.
Anthony,
I agree...if it a suggestion is viable it will benefit the course (if it is implemented). Also, students are making observations from a different perspective than the instructor, therefore their suggestions could assist in the delivery of the preset course materials.
Thank you for your post.
Tremayne Simpson
Most of the course material is preset at our school however there is a little rome for suggestions that we can implement especially during the lab sessions. If a suggestion is viable and useful why not use it?
LeeAnn,
Are students given the opportunity to evaluate the course? There may not be room for changes, however student feedback could be helpful in future policy/lesson revisions, if necessary.
Tremayne Simpson
My primary area of teaching is off campus externship. There is a strict guideline of lessons and competencies that must be met by certain deadlines. There is little to no room for revision.
Bruce,
Student evaluations can work as "building blocks" in an instructor's development. I find that saving student evaluations and comparing them with later terms of instruction, can serve as a reflective, career timeline for an instructor.
Thank you for the post.
Tremayne Simpson
I take student input from my evaluations. that way I know exactly what I may need to change in the lesson plan.
Jane,
I also use evaluations as a source to gather student input, due to the limited time of my institution's terms. In addition, I provide quick surveys, at periodic times throughout the term, to assess their interest in the course.
Tremayne Simpson
Our mods are so short that it is difficult for me to have time to incorporate student input into lesson plans. We do have teacher evaluations and I do look at those from mod to mod. I often give choices based on the content (i.e. Which of these two documentaries most interests the class?) or, I give extra credit to students who bring in relevant topics from outside of the classroom to discuss. I teach psychology, so they could bring in a relevant newspaper article or talk about something they saw on the news.