I expect a verbal communication from each student. And I also look at the faces in the
room to confirm that there no inquisitive faces.
Hi Katie,
This is a good way to seek student understanding. This way you know what they understand but also the students can see the level of importance you attach to the course content.
Gary
The method or technique that I use to make sure that students understand what is expected of them is to invite each student to participate in class discussion about the course expectations. Students are required to respond to a course “agreement” that the course expectations were reviewed, understood, and agreed upon.
Hi Denise,
This is a very good strategy. By providing a grading rubric you are giving guidance to how the assignments are to be completed. Also, a grading rubric will reduce student questions about how you arrived at the score or grade you did since the rubric shows each category and the points earned in that category.
Gary
I usually provide an outline of additional grading criteria for each assignment. This additional grading criteria mentions details about APA style of writing, the organization of the assignment, spelling and grammar etc. This usually helps the students to improve the quality of their assignments.
I make sure my syllabus lays out my expectations in a clear and understandable way. I also remind them of homework assignments, go over essays that they are to do outside of class, and send out reminder e-mails to ensure they are keeping up with the necessary work. In this way, not only do they stay up to date with their studies, but they see that I truly care about how they are doing in class. This adds to the level of rapport and respect in the classroom.
Hi Laticia,
This is a great approach to teaching this subject matter. There are three aspects of instructional delivery. The social impact, meaning how the students have to interact with each other to be successful, cognitive, the use of academic knowledge to be successful, and physical, the use of fine or gross motor skills to complete the assignment. By bringing in the emotional aspect you are expanding the learning from just rote to application and acceptance. These both are powerful learning motivators for students.
Gary
Hello All,
I teach economics; which is a tough course. A lot of the assignments in my course are real world based which can lead students to just answer them. So, I challenge my class and tell them; to research the matter; to look into what its really asking. I tell them to take their emotional aspect of the situation and to look at it overall.
This helps them understand the task more.
I have mainly used a syllabus that provides a detail of assignments and class content at the beginning of the course.
Each week, I write what is expected for the following week.
I provide a grading rubric and expectations sheet for each major assignment (for me that would be speeches). I make sure we cover these sheets verbally, as well as sending them home with students. I also create time they can work on speeches in class so that I can facilitate practical application of the assignment requirements.
I find that a combination of lecture and demonstration yields the best results.
Hi Donald,
This is a good way to check for learning. As you know you can quickly tell if the students are getting it by the questions they ask.
Gary
First sharing the methods or techniques and than discussing through a Q&A style has worked for me.
H Ed,
I am a big fan of grading rubrics as well. They give the students a much more accurate picture of how they earned their points and where they need to improve.
Gary
I've developed a lecture outlining the course expectionas, assignments and due dates. This gives students a level of comfort, knwoing what lies ahead of them.
I have also devleoped grading rubrics based on the assignment tasks which allows them to focus their efforts and get good grades pn the assignments as well.
We have very clear expectations in the class orientation where the student is required to sign that they have read and understand to expectations.
Hi Teresita,
This is why it is so important to document everything so if a question comes up you have evidence of your policy about tardies and absences as well as when they occurred. I have found that just by pulling out the documentation the complaint generally goes away since the student knows I have back up for the decision that has been made about their grade.
Gary
explain to the students that tardies and absences affect their grades so there are no issues when their grade is low. maintaining accurate daily attendance records, maintain a teaching assignment for each module.
Verbal quizzes and/or short Q&A sessions are just two methods to help reinforce understanding.
I present the syllabus, then a breakdown of the assignments and due dates, then separately outline each assignment. I provide plenty of Q and A time between each outline. I also remind them regularly, especially in the first week of class.
I agree, and I try to make sure that the students know that there are more ways than one to reach those objectives. I try to point out the different learning methodologies we will use in the course.
