Formative Course Evaluations
What methods do you use for formative course evaluation?
I agree - student surveys are good learning tools for the instructor.
It is important, of course, to recognize when something is a pattern or an aberration.
The frustrating thing about surveys, of course, is their anonymity insofar as the inability to work through a particular difficulty - as well as that they come at the end of the term.
Perhaps anonymous surveys conducted DURING a course might be more effective in conducting formative course evaluations and making revisions accordingly.
I do a couple of things. First I review in detail what the students evaluations are saying. I don't just look at what they say about me, I also look at what they are saying about the course content. If there is something wrong with the content, it will often come out in those evaluations. I then review the issues and follow up with recommendations if necessary to change the content.
Kimberley,
Nice. It's good to get the students to be vocal and get engaged. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie and John,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. I like the start, stop, continue approach and it provided helpful feedback. Thanks!
Hi John,
I use the same approach and think it sets a more welcoming tone for the discussion. Once the instructor starts it, no one is left setting there deciding if they want to post first or not! :)Have you ever tried the stop, start, continue approach discussed in our course? I thought it was quite interesting and am going to give it a try!
Stephanie
As a formative course evaluation I play around with different discussion topics to see how best I can get students to be more "vocal" in the discussion section and apply what they have learned. If I have a supplemental question that generates more quality posts I will use that in my next course section. However if students don't respond well I will change or remove that question from my discussion library. I am constantly trying to find new topics, that still cover the course ojectives, to boost up my discussion board and get my student more engaged.That is an ongoing area of evaluation for me.
Thank you
Joe,
Students can always use more food for thought. I like that phrase and it does make them think that they should be thinking more. Good point.
I usually make an initial post for discussions. I call it "food for thought....". I want the students to know what direction I am hoping the content will go and also a chance to model the behavior I am looking for in the discussion forum
Steven ,
Supplemental information helps students many times clarify the course content and they can search that information on their own. Nice job.
I provide peer reviewed links to web sites that address supplemental information for that week's live chat session. For example, when discussing computer power supplies I provide examples of Ohm's law. This explains the relationship between voltage, current, resistance and power.
Victor,
Any resources we can provide to enhance the learning is a good thing. We have to keep adding/editing the resources to make sure it's current. Thanks for your input.
I like providing outside material material that adds to the classroom learning experience. The students like it and this adds to their experience in the classroom which helps with improving the course evaluation.
Chris,
Great. I find that my students are honest in their feedback and their feedback helps me make necessary edits to make the course better. Thanks for your input.
Lisa,
Yes, the muddiest point technique is one of many that Angelo and Cross brought to teachers everywhere through their Classroom Assessment Techniques book. Here's a good link: http://pages.uoregon.edu/tep/resources/newteach/fifty_cats.pdf Thanks for bringing this up.
We have an online student survey system that allowes student to evaluate the course and its instructor to provide feedback.
Long ago, I was taught a simple technique by pne of my mentors. She passed around an index card and asked students to comment on the "muddiest point," (what they neeeded review on, or were confused about.)
I have used this for many years with good results on ground and online.
Faith,
Review questions are good formative evaluations. I also go over any questions missed on exams as well. This helps improve the learning before the next test. Thanks for your input.
The methods I use for formative course evaluation are to review questions that students have during live sessions. Student may bring to light issues or concerns and areas where clarification is needed. I include a general questions area in class where students can also ask questions. Based on their questions I can make revisions. I also review student surveys to see strengths and weaknesses and where areas of improvement can be made. I continually review the course material and quiz questions. Sometimes the wording in these needs changed or updated. I submit requests for changes as soon as I recognize and issue or error.
Rosalind,
Excellent idea with the discussion boards. Additional resources can help students connect the course content to other things such as the work world, their major, etc. Good job.
