At the end of every class, I spend about ten minutes with my students gathered around in a circle, and we talk about the things that each of feels went very well or not well at all during our lab session that class. This technique helps me to understand and internalize each of my students strengths and weaknessess, and allows me to focus in on their needs for future classes. It also lets me know where there might have been any shortcomings in my delivery or demonstaqrion of the material, so I can make the necessary adjustments to stay in tune with the ways in which my students learn most effectively.
Hi Steven,
You are correct about how end of course evaluations have limited value. This is why I survey my students three times during the course. Their comments are anonymous so there is no risk to them in making the comments they do. I have not received any nasty comments in all the years I have been doing this. I have received some very pointed advice on how I could do something differently and this has been very helpful to me.
Another weakness to me in end of course evaluations is not asking the right questions. My college uses a standard form that is sent to each student online. About 60% of the students complete the form. The evaluation questions are standardized for all the courses no matter the content. So they are so generic that they are of little or no value. Yet, I like you am evaluated on the responses given by the students. Not a good way to really get a picture of my teaching abilities nor the learning that has occurred with my students.
Gary
Hi Caren,
You make a good point about getting student feedback. Often times the end of course evaluations can be used to help with changes that can be done in the next course. I survey my students throughout the course (each one third of the course) and then make changes as reflected in their comments. Many times I don't need to do anything and other times I can make changes that will better suite the dynamics of the current class. Also, by asking for their feedback I get a higher level of buy in from my students since they know I am willing to listen to them and be reactive to their comments.
Gary
To be honest, this has never worked well for me or the other instructors. We always do this at the end of the quarter and the feedback submitted is really useless in so many ways.
We get feedback from two specific groups- students who "clicked" with the instructor and loved the class and students who are angry about their grade (i.e. blame instructor for poor grades rather than the student's lack of performance). The third group, students who are neutral rarely say anything or give feedback.
So in the end it is either "don't change anything- you are awesome!" or "you stink and are a butthead!". We as instructors are "graded" and evaluated on this feedback and it is frustrating.
Generally I take class notes on student responses to assignments and lectures (verbal, physical, emotional)using that information to adjust assignments. My experience with student feedback has not been positive or helpful to this point.
On the feedback each quarter I pay special attention to the written comments. Too often the students just mark down the scantron sheet.
Student feedback helps me to view the class from their perspective. It allows for a glimpse into their experience in the class and see where I can improve. Every class is different and every student is different.
Sometimes they are reluctant to give feedback. What they do not realize is that this is one of my best tools for personal growth. Even the less than glowing feedback is useful. I find myself focusing on improving the areas that they point to in order to help them grow. It can be uncomfortable to hear but the goal of growing as an instructor allows me to take this information, improve in lacking areas, and aim to give them what they need.
If this information comes too late for my current class (which it often does) I know that my next class will benefit from the feedback of the previous class.
Hi Christopher,
This is a great way to respond to student feedback. We all tend to stew more over the negative comments because we want to improve our skills as educators. We need to be responsive to this kind of input but also look at the positive impact we have had on the lives of our students. You are right about knowing when a student is just lashing out rather than offering constructive input. Input of this type only makes me feel sorry for that student since he/she is so unhappy in their lives and school career that they can't find anything positive about their school experience.
Gary
Student feedback helps me to keep focus on their needs and I am able to adjust my lessons based on their progress. I can spend more time on one particular area; for example math and conversions, when they are struggling. I appreciate both positive and negative feedback as long as it is constructive.
Great Post.
I too absorb negative comments and stew on them more frequently than positive criticism. It is difficult to hear negative criticism when you are doing your best, but the students ca provide a different perspective to the course and we can learn from what they say. I too have made adjustments to my teaching style even if I don't wholeheartedly agree. You can usually tell when someone is just lashing out ad that is not good for either party.
We use two kinds of student feedback: objective, computer-scored "bubble sheets" and subjective, instructor-reviewed free-form critiques. The objective bubble sheets are an institutional requirement and provide the institution with a measure of performance. On the other hand, the subjective, free-form critiques are very valuable in getting a pulse on student concerns and providing relevant recommendations for tweaking the curriculum.
Student feedback helps keep me on my toes because each group of students is different that the last. I re-evaluate the material of each class and I am always searching for new activities to do. Those that work I continue with and those that don't I save them and will possibly try them again at a latter date with another group of students. Student feedback also helps me to recognize areas or subject matter that students may have a hard time understanding.
Hi Eva,
Good comments about how to react and respond to student feedback. This way improvement is made and growth is experienced by everyone.
Gary
STUDENT FEEDBACK IS VERY IMPORTANT,I AM ASKING SEVERAL TIMES A DAY IN CLASS LECTURE,"DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT WE JUST READ?"OFTEN BECAUSE OF THE ADULT EGO,THERE ARE NOT.SO I SAY "AHHHH COME ON SOME ONE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY."IT WORKS AND IT OPENS UP THE FLOOR FOR A GOOD DISCUSSION.
Student feedback helps to keep me focused by letting me know where my strenghts & weaknesses are. This is a great tool for self improvement & refocusing my passion to my choosen profession. The feedback let's me know the effeciency of my teaching technique & the gaps in the lesson plan.
THe problem is sometimes one of the squeaky wheel, the student who failed but blames the instructor.
Feedback from your students gives you an opportunity to understand where the student is in the learning process. The feedback is like a check point to help you readjust where necessary to make sure students are progressing to a successful goal. Student feedback is the catalyst for focus/refocus on the students at a given point in time.
It is amazing to hear the feedback of students. It helps me stay focus because the feedback provides information on how to improve. Some students have shared what help the most and the least. The information that the student provide can help me reevaluate my teaching style to accommodate the needs of the entire class.
Hi Robert,
Right you are in terms of needing to have a fresh look at what we are doing with our courses. What has been your most effective way of giving yourself that fresh look?
Gary
Every quarter, our students are allowed to evaulate their instructors. I find the comments from the students most helpful on what I can do to improve my teaching for the next class.
Student feed-back can be used as a tool for REFOCUS on the instructor's part. Whether it is positive or negative feed-back; it all should be helpful to better gain an idea of the classe's needs or even an individual's needs. We as instructors can sometimes become complacient in our over-view of our class; so sometimes a fresh or outside perspective is needed to "re-open" our eyes.
