Hi - Thanks for your post to the forum! CATs do indeed give us the opportunity to improve our teaching. What better input than what our students can provide? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Cats are important to improve the classroom.Student feedback is very important to improve the instruction.
I use worksheets throughout my Algebra class. After I discuss a topic, they work on similar problems. Working the problems themseleves or with others seems to help them when they do homework or take a test.
I agree with Florence, using CATs quickly gives the instructor an idea of what questions students may need answered or clarified.
Hi Melissa- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are using CATs really effectively.Using them in the online environment may make them even more effective as they can get quick feedback that will generate more discussion. Best wishes - Susan
I hadn't thought about this in the area of recipe preparation. My husband is a chef and we are constantly having conversations about these CAT type of questions!
Melissa
I wasn't aware of the term CAT, however I have been using this method in my online discussions. At various points of the discussion, especially the end, I will post questions regarding the material. For example, at the end of Unit 1 in psychology, I will ask about the reading and what has been interesting so far, what can be applied to the student's career goals, and what questions are remaining. The students really enjoy responding to these questions, they generate a lot of activity.
Melissa
It confirms I am teaching what I think I am teaching. Low scores may be a sign of a disconnect between teachers and students.
Incorporation would be most essential when the class is about to transition to a new area and can be used to ensure the main ideas are grasped and viewed as keep and part of the chain in the journey towards achieving the class's overall objective. I would read the one minute answers aloud anonymously and let students make notes from them and/or comment to ensure a universal understanding of the material is achieved in a general sense.
I particularly like the Minute Paper. I typically use it at the break of my 2 hour classes. It provides quick feedback while allowing time for students to reflect on course content. They also pose a question that I can address in the second half of class. It's very useful and well received by students!
CATs are a great tool for providing a real - time assessment of how the class is progressing and whether the students are absorbing the material. By doing these frequently it allows us to know if our styles is effective and also whether or not we have to review and focus more on an area.
Hi Darci - Thanks for your post to the forum. Asking for student feedback is wonderful! We always need to look for ways to improve our game. Best wishes. Susan
It is an excellent way of monitoring the pace of your presentation...acknowledging the speed at which you proceed/slow down, etc. as well as keeping up with the ongoing rapport necessary in effective teaching.
After doing a hands on lecture, I have studnets summarize the most important thing they learned and to ask any question they might have. Then we go over them.
I like the idea of the minute paper because it gives them a chance to ask a question they may not have otherwise asked.
I give students a short form to fill out in early in the quarter that asks them for feedback on the class format and what they would like to change in the course in order to facilitate their learning. I am still working to find the right set of questions to ask them.
Hi Carol - Thanks for your post to the forum which reminds us that it's easy to get complacent and often into a rut when we teach the same class over and over. It's so important to try to reinvent our teaching because it benefits our students and keeps us excited as well. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think the Minute Paper is a great way to gain valuable feedback in a short exercise, which, additionally, gives students ownership in the course. This can result in added participation, a more active learning environment, adjusted instructional delivery, improved attendance and grades, etc. It trickles down.
CATs need to be incorporated into each lesson plan so students are aware of them and expect them during the class. I like to use CATs at the beginning and again at the end of each learning objective block of instruction so I know what to emphasize during each lesson.
Using CATs helps adjust teaching methods to learning styles in the classroom. It's important to remember that even if it is the same subject being taught every semester, each class is different and has its own personality and needs, etc.
