Recapture their commitment
I find this to be very important. I remember that even myself as a student would get into a "lull" midcourse and start to lose interest and wonder why I was there at all.
I think that by doing a midcourse evaluation and having the students take an inventory of the course so far is important to recapture their interest and commitment and to enable them to remember why they are there to begin with.
At the begining of my course I have my students make a mission statement after a class I teach about goals, intentions and our "why" for being there. I have the students put their mission statement at the front of their binders so that they are reminded daily why they are there. I'm thinking now that midcourse it would be a good idea to have a class on re evaluating and reviewing their mission statements to recapture their commitment and purpose.
Jessica,
Thank you so much for sharing your idea about the mission statements that the class comes up with themselves! I love that idea. The re-evaluation at midterm seems like that would go well with the REFOCUS ideal that this section talks about. The students can look at what they have accomplished and maybe even rekindle some of the excitement they had, as well as feeling empowered, as they are remembering the process of devising the commitment and purpose.
Thanks!
Amy
