Announcing changes in future courses?
How do you all feel about telling current classes about changes and adjustments you plan to make to future sessions of the same course? For instance, if after some time you have decided to do less of something, or more, etc., or in response to student suggestions, you agree to change this or that. Should you announce that upcoming change to your current class?
On the one hand I think it might anger some students who might think it's unfair that future classes will have the benefit of that change while they do not. But on the other, it might also reassure them that the process is always improving, and that their voices and input are being heard and taken seriously.
So I never know how far to go in telling a current class what I'll do differently in the future.
Thoughts?
Hi Lee,
Well said. Change comes to us and our success depends on how we embrace or resist it. Our growth as educators depends on being willing to grow, change and expand our abilities.
Gary
From my lens, there are very few people who like change. However, I think that opening up the floor to receiving and making known the amendments of the suggestions for improvement that you have received (as well as your own independent thought/review of the course) can be a very positive and empowering opportunity for both the students and the instructor.
For the student: it enables them to be a part of the overall education process that they are involved in while matriculating on campus. It hopefully will encourage them to want to be an educator themselves in the future. Why? People often remember change more than the status quo. The trick is for you to make it a positive experience for the group or persons affected by the change. If successful, it forms a more long lasting memory.
For the instructor: it causes people to not look at the word or term perfection as we normally do, but rather take the same term and use is as it was meant to be used which was to seek all opportunities to grow, develop, and mature the delivery and experience of course.
Hi Ron,
Letting students know about changes should be done if there are changes being made in the course that they are currently enrolled in. As for future changes I don't feel I need to tell them about my future instructional changes because it will not affect them since they will have moved on. I believe this is the point you are making and I agree with it.
Gary
Hi Robert,
I tell my current class about changes I make based upon input or opportunities that I have to do something different. I make sure any change I make does not affect their understanding of their status in the course.
I don't tell the current class about any changes I may make in the future based upon their input because it doesn't really affect them. By telling them it can cause more problems than it is worth. I get a new class of students I make my changes and we go from there. Have never had a problem in using this method.
Gary
It's an interesting question that I've really never thought about before. Of course, I've always asked for feedback and improvement suggestions, but I've never thought about telling students about planned changes. It makes me a little uncomfortable and I'm not sure of the benefit.
