Greetings Ernest!
Clearly communication skills are important in assessing student learning needs. It appears that you make a conscious effort to ensure that students are learning.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I tend to watch their body language for an indication of boredom. I also look to see if anyone is trying to doze off. These are indicators of people not interested in the subject matter for one reason or another. I try to get them aside and find out if they had a bad night or if the subject matter is not of interest to them or if there is a learning issue we need to address.
I found that blending some leading questions (to assess the overall comprehension) with one-on-one discussions provides a fairly accurate picture of a student's academic ability and needs. We tend to forget that many students have been out of school for what seesm like a lifetime. It's important to not confuse a learning deficiency with academic dormancy.
Greg
Hi Barbara!
Great assessment! Absolutely the best real time feedback.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I watch for the body language also. You can tell if they are bored or disinterested. However, you can also get that "ah ha" look from your students and see that they grasp a concept. Comparing these moments to how you delivered learning material can benefit future class lesson plans.
Glancing over their notes.... if you have a student with ESL, they should try to write their notes in English. Even if it is their second language and they say they can't write as fast in English.... you need to get them to try.... Start slow... Write 1/4 of the lecture and then work up to 1/2 of the lecture until they are at full speed.
As an online instructor I can say that all physical cues are removed from understanding the student. I base student learning needs on their writing and requests. A few students will directly approach me prior to submitting work and explain that they are in need. In most cases I begin to see the quality of their reading and writing on the discussion boards during the week and when they submit a paper.
Hi Gregg!
You have provided some really great ideas.
I went back and read other responsesn to this forum and found that everyone was very much intuned to the students in their classroom.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
At the beginning of each MOD, we have an introduction session...much like the one rebecca mentioned. My current class is called Professional Quantitative Skills. Most of my students have expressed their mathephobic tendencies. A couple of them have expressed their love of mathematics. I like to allow students the opportunity to shine so I will be using mixed groupings when I put them in groups. The stronger few will be members of the weaker many groups.
Some other ways to assess the students' learning needs, I mentioned in the previous question...surveys, personal interviews, and aptitude tests.
These are great ideas to use. I look forward to incorporating them into my teaching. I also like to develop fun games in a relaxed environment to ascertain how my students are doing.
Great approach Rebecca!
Does anyone else in this Forum have other approahes that they have used either successfully or unsuccessfully? Please share
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
At the beginning of each MOD I have the student talk alittle about themselves and their backgrond. I then have them write a paragraph on their goals for that MOD and for the career path they have chosen. Between their speaking and writing I have a pretty good idea where their struggles may be and I can start to develope a plan to help them before we get to for along into the MOD.
I like to go down the role sheet and ask everyone questions about what we have covered to see how much is being retained, and who I might need to give extra help.
You can learn there needs by talking to them and listening to what they expect or alraeady know. Also encourage them to ask questions and this could tell you if they are understanding them material.
Body language is also important.. A distracted student may not be fully attuned to the class proceedings.. It's helpful to gauge your students based on previous conduct and detect issues as they arise.
