I agree that student input on the course content tends to not be helpful. They can have input on what sort of activities and projects are a part of the course but as for the material itself, this should be decided by the instructior and should be something that is not altered based on the wishes of the students. There is a reason the instructor chose the content in the first place.
During actual classroom lessons we do not allow students to make any revisions to the lesson plans but we do a survey at the end of the lesson plan and allow the students to critique the lesson. After reviewing the surveys we might find it necessary to make a lesson plan change.
dawanna,
I agree. I also encourage students to challenge theories that are discussed within class, as long as they are able to properly support their opinions. This enables them to "apply" their knowledge and engage in class.
Tremayne Simpson
I like your comment. There is a lot of truth to what you are saying. I can't allow students to re-route my lesson plans during class. Our students have the opportunity to give their input during the course critiques. Some students like to challenge every topic, however some methods are tried, tested and true. I will listen and give the benefit of the doubt, but I follow the curriculum provided by the college.
I rarely do this. On a handful of times when students scores on the quizzes have been much lower than normal I have had a discussion with the class. I ask why were the scores so low honestly. Was it the homework, lecture that didn't make sense to them or was it that they just didn't study and this is the reason for the low grades. So far I have been lucky that students have been honest and let me know the information was there, it was familiar but because they didn't study they did poorly. So even though I have opened it up to possibly change something that I am doing, the students have been honest and let me know it was more about them and less about the instruction.
I had a class in which many students were struggling with content that should have been a basic review followed by new material. I added many "extra" opportunities for learning but did ask them for input regarding what other opportunities might be helpful to them in order to complete the course.
Its always encouraging when a student tells you that if the information was related in another way they would have understood it. I do allow for input and in turn i make assesment to better deliver the education
I am very open to student input when it pertains to lesson plans. I will speak with them periodically as a group and also individually as to how they feel their classes are going. Feedback is essential for our faculty to grow and change is imperative for relevancy. We also use anonymous surveys once per term to get a real feel for how they view the overall program.
Yes all the time i like to know there input on the lessons im am teahing them and with there input i can fix any problems that they can see that maybe i cant see.
The sullabus and lesson plans are the basis of the class content, that being said, my stuidents have interests as to what they would like to take away from the class. By listening to their interests and incorporating some of their suggestions and requests, the class becomes more interesting to them.
My criteria is that there be interest in the expanded topic by at least a good percentage of the class and that we are on target for where we should be in the curriculum.
Our institution does an end of mod evaluation, but we as instructors never get feed back on what our classes had to say. I am still waiting from the powers that be on wether I can do my own evaluation as well. Oh the problems that arise when you are part of a university.
I will get students input the first time I'm using a new textbook or software. Students provide valuable input as to how to present the lesson plan for future students.
Joseph,
This is an interesting method for gathering student input. H
Tremayne Simpson
Wendy,
I agree. Not all suggestions can be used as possible course implementation ideas, however it is important to establish a classroom environment, in which the students feel comfortable with providing input.
Tremayne Simpson
Student input help you to design your lesson plan from a student view.I often asked other instructors for there input in the lesson evaluation.
Teaching in a clinical rotation allows me to ask students what worked for them or didn't work for them during the term. That allows me an opportunity to make adjustments for te next term
We do not allow students to help with lesson plan revisions. However, we do allow graduates to sit on our advisory board and they make great suggestions and revisions. We find after they have been practicing in the profession a little while, they can give better feedback.
I let the students have a vote in the pace and which items we will spend more time on throughout the course. I will veto or adjust as needed to deliver on the course curriculum.
There has been an occasion when a student will suggest an alternative to the lesson plan. Sometimes it's well thought out and at other times it's just nonsense. However, when they are serious it can be beneficial to follow their lead.
I often leave time available for "student suggested" activities, projects, or topics toward the end of most of my practical courses - typically once the intended course outcomes have been satisfied...the only caveats being that the topics are relevant to the outcomes of the course, and that the group agree to explore the topic together...this practice often serves to "reward" hard workers, and motivate for the team at large to do their best throughout the term
