Point well taken, Tracy. Open ended survey questions tend to ask "what's bothering you?" and call for a response. Students who have no complaint are led to identifying a problem.
A more proactive approach is to ask if they would like help with ...
Sounds like a pretty typical format, Choppy. How do you measure the effectiveness of the model? Student performance on assessments? Survey responses? Observation?
We give our students written material to read, lecture and demonstrations on how to do the projects, hands on practice with the projects along with any answers they may have about the projects while the are working on the projects.
We use a survey at the end of every rotation (3 week class) that gets their feed back. The survey covers everything from the instructors preparation and attitute to the interactions they have with our office staff and other personnel as well as the cleanliness of the school. We address any issues that arise. We also talk to any student that put his name on the survey, as a way to get more clarification from them of what they meant and to answer any questions they may have about what we have or can do about their issue.
... and then. How has this feedback impacted what you do or how you do it?
Well done. I hope these meetings and communication have been effective.
Quite a list of things to do, congratulations. Our school has over 1000 students so I don't know if our DOE has the time for all of this. A lot of the responsibility falls to the Program Directors. As in all schools the front line, the faculty, are the ones that we relieve on to keep current with what is happening with individual students. We than put a plan of action in place with follow-up on our level if necessary.
We try use a variety of evaluation tools to ensure that student expectations are being met. However measuring satisfaction can be tricky, when you ask a student if their expectations are being met, they may not answer honestly, particularly if they are disgrulntled. They may choose to just withdraw from the school. A new Web-based intervention systems is a great way to create a non-confrontational, non-judgmental, confidential, way for students to express their true feelings.
However, the best evidence of student satisfaction can be answered with one simple question:
Would you recommend this school to a friend or family member?
This question can be asked in a survey or exit interview.
We have an extentsive orientation called Jump Start to prepare new students for school, and address their concerns. In the classroom we continue to relate our work experiences as it will relate to their future careers.
constant communication throughout the institution is integral to acomplish this.
I keep an open door policy especially during their breaks. I walk around the school before it starts to see if the students are getting settled and if not what can I do to make it a better day.
The student is given a tour from the sales. Then the teachers are constantly meeting with each other to get the help to the students as well as given awards when they have perfect attendance and good grades. We have a president's list and a director's list. The students walk past the DOE office and you hear comments on how they want to be on that list. We have updated equipment in the clinical and the teachers keep up with the updated material.
Teamwork is essential and we show how we all can work together to make it more relaxed atmosphere in learning. We raise money for various charities with the help from the student council.
Occassionally we have field trips so they can see how former students working in their field. Sometimes we have a former student to come back and tell them how their extern went and how they were hired.
We talk to them, we try to find out what the student expectations are then adapt our program as best we can to meet the student needs within the guidlines of the program.
I think my institution stays at the leading edge of technology and traing which ensures satisfaction and meets expectations.
we ask for feed back every three weeks from our students
We strive to stay on the same page as Admissions through training and regular meetings. We keep them informed of changes and new activities that will help them sell the programs. We have weekly meetings with the management team to openly discuss any student identified as a retention risk.
Our institution utilizes a critique system that allows the student to comment on the effectiveness of the instructor as well as the quality of the facilities.
We assure that training aids in class are worked on by assigning as close to "out in the field" projects. We share and explain real life scenerios along with curriculum, so that student may understand daily practice out in the field.
We have a 'Critique Form' that the students fill out at the end of every three week course. If the students are dis-satisfied they can voice their opinions by selecting between Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor on the twelve, one-size fits all questions. Students are also encouraged to write in comments on the side of the Critique Form.
In our school the students are introduced to the Academic Environment at the Admission office and during a Orientation class.Unfortunately, We don't have Professional Advisors. Stablishing an Instructor-Student relationship is very important. It start from the student's first day of class. Adding your qustions to our emergency information form would be a huge help.
