Student Evaluations
I was suprised when I read in the course material that if a student makes a suggestion or recommendation, the course should not be modified. It takes multiple feedback and multiple sources in order to make changes to the course.
I have had students make recommendations or suggestions that I thought were good ideas and I have implemented these items. I do think the course material is probably a better recommendation.
Has anyone else experienced this situation? I'm curious what others think.
William,
Absolutely. We have to take the "good, bad and the ugly." :-) When we take everything into consideration, we can more fully see the big picture. Nice job.
When students evaluate a course, there are usually two major results of their commentary. One, a discussion of all the wonderful aspects of the course. Two, a listing of every possible change that could be made to improve the course. All the comments, positive and negative, should be considered for a future revision of a course.
james,
Right. Any way we can assess whether the students are grasping the content is excellent. Thanks!
The more objective approach would be to analyze student rubric grades and answers to quiz and test question to determine if, as a whole, students are grasping the delivered material.
David and Jodi,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. I ask students to answer these questions: What should I stop doing? Start doing? and Continue to do? When I can't stop something I explain why - typically because it's directly related to the objectives, but I do edit my teaching and the course as well. Thanks!
Jodi,
I'm a believer in trended results from students. Multiple recommendations from students would encourage me to make a change...single recommendations prompt much less response from me. With that said, if a student presents a good idea, I certainly would entertain it...if it has merit.
David Pittman
Martin,
Hmmm - interesting point you bring up. Various/multiple evaluations are a great way to think about all of this. Nice job.
How does one address bias in evaluations? Students are not an unbiased group when it comes to evaluating a course; for that matter neither is an instructor. It seems that using multiple evaluations has an underlying assumption that "somehow" all the different biases from the various stakeholders will somehow "cancel out".
Cyndy,
So true. Many times I think we "beat the creativity out" of our students instead of embracing their creativity. Thanks for your input.
I have found that creativity is a blessing, that often time I may not have, and do we not all learn new things each and everyday. I believe that we are empowered to allow the students to give suggestions, and many times they are good suggestions. I have been suggesting things that I fell on deaf ears, and other times are implemented. We are teaching our young and sometimes seniors to be leaders and I feel we need to practice what we teach.
Jodi,
I make edits based on student recommendations. I am not sure in what context you are referring to the course material saying not to do that.
I will look at that. Thanks.
