Hi Kerry,
You raise a very good point about student feedback. I have my students give me feedback after each major project and/or assignment. I give each student a 3X5 card and have them comment on the specifics of the project and assignment. This way I know how they perceived the project/assignment and how I can improve on what I require and the instructions I give about the completion of the project/assignment. Since the feedback is ongoing throughout the course the students have numerous opportunities to give input.
The end of the course evaluations are of little value in my opinion because they are given during finals week when the students are taking tests and completing assignments. Stress is high and along with that can come frustration which is reflected in the responses. In addition, in our college the course evaluations are so general that they are of no value. Questions, like "Was the instructor knowledgeable in his/her subject?" don't give insight about how to improve on instructional delivery. Also, as you mentioned most instructors have figured out how to generate good student ratings through their actions and assignments. This takes away the opportunity to try something new and risk not getting the best evaluations because the new effort didn't work as well as the instructor would like. So creativity is challenged by the evaluations.
Hope this all makes sense but I get on a soap box when it comes to student feedback and course evaluations. I think this is an area where there is room for much improvement.
Thanks.
Gary
Hi Ann,
Good point. I strive to do my best each and every time I teach but I also realize that I'm not every student's cup of sunshine so they reflect that in their feedback. Also, they can be having a bad time in life when I ask for feedback and I am the person they take it out on. I balance the 99% of the students that like what I am doing as an instructor with the 1% that don't and so I feel good about what I am doing and will continue to try and improve my skills as an educator.
Gary
Hi Peggy,
Great attitude about how to use student feedback in a constructive and forward thinking way. You build on what you learn and what you learn enables you to become a better instructor. Keep up the growth!
Gary
By hearing what they have to say about the class (and you), you get an understanding of what they are experiencing, both postive and negative. This provides amazing insight as to what to continue doing and what to change.
No feedback from students would be like talking to a wall. Talking to a wall is generally not helpful to anyone, nor to the wall, since a wall is not a conscious being. On the other hand, feedback from students provides information that might be adapted to artful, creative fine-tuning of the feedforward.
Student feedback is important to my teaching. I survey my students at midterm to see what they have learned, what they like and dislike. As a teacher it is important to remember you are there for the students they are paying for the class and without the students you would not have a job! Always keep perspective and a positive attitude.
I think that student feedback is crucial to good teaching. It is important to gain perspective from your students because they are seeing you from a different point of view than you could ever see your self from. When you can take feedback and modify your lessons, you will develop lessons that are more beneficial towards your students and help to improve student morale.
Many times I feel that the formal feedback used by schools to evaluate teachers is nothing more than a popularity contest. This is unfortunate. I have seen good teachers come and go becuase they were not popular but were great teachers. Sometimes you need to dish out tough love and that is not popular. I find myself altering my behavior sometimes to keep students happy. I don't like it, but I want to keep teaching. Anu ideas on this problem???
It helps you make changes in course materials and presentation that addresses the feedback. For example, I have started using more video to tie learning into real situation. I lecture less and discuss more. It actually is more fun as a teacher when you are willing and able to adapt. Each class is unique. That is the challenge.
Soliciting feedback from students and incorporating it into teaching efforts can help instructors engage in more student-centered learning and likely retain information at a higher capacity than otherwise.
Dr. Meers,
Student feedback is an important aspect in the learning environment. By receiveing student feedback, instructors are enabled to refocus their efforts in order to be better prepared for the next learning module. By identifying the students strengths and weaknesses, instructors can often identify the differences in learning styles among student groups. By undersatnding these learning styles, an instructor can develop instructional plans that will facilitate in the overall learning environment.
Whenever I receive negative feedback from students, I use it as a tool for change. I tell myself never take it personally as this is just how the particular student sees me as the instructor. From my experience, the positive feedbacks always outweigh the negative feedback; therefore there will be very small amount of things to change.
I agree fedd back is good for the instructor to grow and better in teaching skills.
I appreciate constructive feedback it helps me to know where I might be going wrong especially when I may not even know. I would much rather have something brought to my attention then to keep on going on with something and do more harm.
Student feed back can help keep your focus on them because it keeps an understanding between you and them. Feed back helps you know if your method of teaching is helping them learn and retain the information or not.
Alexis,
A student who is critical, but accurate is very valuable. A student who just placates us with neutral/good reviews is worthless. I once received negative feedback on the quality of the text book, while worthwhile for someone, I had no control over replacing it. Feedback that addresses those items I can control is worth its weight in gold.
Students feed back can some time be very crital,however this just lets me know where i need to improve. We as instructors dont always like student feed back but it is well needed.
I agree, often we neglect to use the feedback of summative assessments and student interactions as opportunities for improvement.
Hi Cynthia,
Good to hear about the positive response you got with your feedback from students. This as you say is critical to instructional improvement.
Gary
This is something I have never tried until my last class. I tried a new approach to my lecture (learned from CEE) and I asked them, verbally, how they felt about our class at the end. I felt like it had gone much more smoothly than past classes, and was glad to hear that the students agreed with me.
I think that getting student feedback is important because it can help you to realize an area where you may need to change your approach, or identify a tactic that really works!
