Peter,
These are great ideas. Inviting Chefs from the industry in the class to critique a practical exam or even every day production, can be an eye opening experience for students as well!
Jae Gruber
Stephanie,
Peer feedback, even if anonymous, is extremely helpful as long as it is constructive. It can help students develop critical thinking skills and, as you mentioned, give them renewed perspective on their own performance.
Jae Gruber
Invite other chef/instructors into the evaluation process to give each student individual feedback. In addition, peer evaluation is seeminly less threatening to students.
I like to use peer feedback, wherein students are required to respond to specific components of each other's work. These responses are typically open ended and function to give students a broader perspective on their work. The process of critiquing others also encourages them to view their own work more critically.
Mary,
I agree with you Mary. Completeness of responses is critical. A vague response by a student that is not addressed by the instructor does not help the student recognize the importance of either the subject or clear, thorough information!
Jae Gruber
I also grade students based on completeness of responses and how closely the content mirrors classroom discussion and work. It reinforces what the students have learned.
Mark,
I definitely think that if the students can provide constructive feedback, that a guided roundtable discussion can be a good exercise. This helps not only in the future execution of production, but also to develop teamwork and leadership skills.
Jae Gruber
I like to use the the next days lecture for a roundtable discussin on how the day went. Feedback from peers can be a good way to bring up skillsets that need work. I try to make the sudents not be too personal in the feedback given.
Paul,
Pointing out the positive first is always a good approach on both an individual basis and with the entire class. People can create positive or negative attention. Those students who want to be the center of attention AND are producing positive results can sometimes be mentors to their classmates.
Jae Gruber
I like to point out what he or she does well, what can be improved, and the positive aspects of his or her attitude. The "sandwich" method of evaluation seems to work well. Sometimes a little heart-to-heart is required if greater improvement is needed, but I try to let this person know that I will keep helping.
