One thing I started doing in my class: At the end of a week of lecture or, at the end of a skills lab, I ask each student to tell the class one thing they learned - their take away thought or AhHa moment. This has been valuable for me as an instructor to recognize weakness or areas that I thought I taught but maybe didn't review well.
Pam,
Good way to check for understanding. This way you know what you need to review at the next session if the students don't have a complete understanding.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Daisy,
Feedback is valuable in many ways. This information helps us to make changes and improve our courses while becoming even more effective instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
After each lecture I ask students if there is anything that we have discussed that they didn't understand and then get their feedback on what we discussed
Feedback allows me to understand students understanding of the course. should I re-emphasize a certain topic or move forward. I have learned not to take negative feedback personal, and pushes me to find a better way of instruction.
Stacy,
I collect student feedback throughout the course so that I have a "read" of how the course is going. Then I can make any adaptations I need to in order to keep the course on target.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This feedback will give you honest opinions from the students point of view about how they feel the class is running and what works/doesn't work for them. Instructors can take this information and reformat their classes to be more successful and keep the students interested.
Sandra,
This is the model I have followed for many years and the input has helped me to refine my courses over the years. I appreciate the time and effort my students put into giving their feedback and I let them know it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the idea of providing input from students both mid-point in the course and at the conclusion is really good. Many things can happen during the second half of the course and it is interesting to see some of the comments at the end of the course.
I am in agreement that the comments need to be anonymous so that the students feel free to express their thoughts.
Karen,
This is why I use 3X5 cards upon which students give me feedback at different times throughout the course. This way I can keep my finger on the pulse of the class and make any adjustments I need to while the course is still being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Donna,
Student feedback is how improvement occurs. The more we listen to and get feedback from our students the more information we will have from which to make instructional changes and adaptations.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This sounds like an excellent idea. I may be using activities and different methods of teaching that I think are good and effective, but the students may not think so. Every group of students is different; what worked for one group may not work for the next. Getting the students’ feedback shows that I care about how they are engaged in the learning process
When instructors teach in the classroom it is important to know how your style comes across to students. End of the semester feedbacks helps you to revise your teaching style if necessary.
Wendy,
I like to use this method as well for the reason you state. You know in "real time" what is and is not working in the class. As a result you can make any adaptations you need to make to keep the students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Receiving student feedback, throughout the course will allow the course to be re-vamped, if needed, for the next itieration. We provide briefers for various topics throughout a course. At the end of the day, we ask the students to provide feedback and this way we will be able to make the decision - Will we use this briefer next time or do we need to change to topic for relevance?
Bryan,
Right you are about the value of feedback. Feedback is how we get the pulse of the class and determine if we are being effective with our instruction. Also, as you know students really appreciate having their feedback being sought and considered.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Feedback is absolutely essential to success and keeping our focus on our students. Feedback are like the rumble strips on the side of the highway. They let us know if we start to get off track. Our goal is for the students to maximize his or her educational opportunities. Feedback gives them the opportunity to give us areas we can improve and what we are doing well. It allows the student to play an active role in his or her education.
Martha,
This is how I use feedback from my students. It is a valuable way for me to improve my instructional efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Me asking them for their feedback will make them feel they are important. Also show me my strong points. Things I'm doing they enjoy and maybe things I think are great, but they may not like.
Might also show me where they may struggle but haven't told me.
Tifany,
This is my method as well because the feedback at mid-course enables me to make any needed changes while the current group of students are still in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
