Reflection
At the end of every term I hand out a course survey to students, in addition to the one distributed by my university. I've found it very helpful when planning the course for the following term. I enjoy reading about what students say they learned or took away from the course and I benefit from reading about what concepts they struggled with. I would become very bored with my profession if I didn't adapt/update the course each term.
Adam,
This is what the human factor in teaching is about. That personal understanding and connection with a student so you can provide support and encouragement as needed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Course surveys are great reflective and building tools for instructors, but there is nothing more beneficial than understanding on a personal level the challenges students experience and what they find most successful from a classroom.
Caron,
Yes, they are because they help with course improvement and instructor growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Brian,
Course surveys are how we learn how to improve our instructional delivery and expand our content. We grow, refine and benefit from course surveys as well as other student feedback.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Brian,
Course surveys are how we learn how to improve our instructional delivery and expand our content. We grow, refine and benefit from course surveys as well as other student feedback.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I value the formal evaluation from the course surveys. It gives me insight to build a greater learning environment for the students and myself.
Edward,
I think you will be pleased with the feedback you get. Take the responses you get and translate them into strategies for improvement and as a result you will be in a constantly growing mode in your professional development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new instructor, I am most definitely interested and eager to read student evaluations for my own professional development. I put alot of effort into my lesson plans and hope that students are taking away the key concepts of being an effective critical thinker.
Christina,
I agree with the last part of your statement about being open to adapt and update your course material and even teaching style. I too enjoy reading my students (culinary) comments on the class content. In addition to having them do the survey to please my managers, I like to do a in-class forum to discuss any potential issues with the curriculum. I make it clear throughout the term that if you are not receiving what you need from me, then please talk to me about your specific needs. I do my best to teach my students on an individual basis, each person has specific needs and learning objectives.
Christina,
I do the same with my students. The standard form (one size fits all) does not give me the feedback I would like to have on my course. With my form I get the feedback I need to make changes, adjustments and refinements leading to course improvement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
