In my class I do something similar. When students come to my class, on the first day, I hand out index cards, I ask students to put their names on the cards and answer the question, "Why am I here?" This gives the students an opportunity to revisit their aspirations and goals. It's easy to get distracted along the way as we're pursuing a dream, and this tool helps some students to remember what brought them here in the first place, which in turn helps them to "keep the main thing the main thing." Also this helps me to get to know each one of them a bit more personally as I read their cards. I also use these cards when doing reviews by shuffling them up and calling on students randomly as their cards come up. This keeps them on their toes and helps me to learn their names more quickly (I've only got three weeks.").
We do a number of things from the education side...
Mid course reviews (during week 2 of 3)
Class/lab spot observations by the education manager
regular meetings with the instructor
monitoring grade book trends (grades and attendance)
post course instructor evaluations
talk with students outside the educational environment to see how they are doing in the other areas of their life (work, apartment livuing, being away from home, financial, etc.)
UTI has committed a full time position dedicated to student retention. There is an instructor that has been empowered to be a liaison between the students and support staff. The position is called Student Success Instructor. This person is to make sure that the students get to the correct support staff in a timely manner.
In our first course we will have all our new students write down what their expiations are along what there goals. We collect and return them after we enter them in student computer base system. In the future if a student is having some difficulties, what ever the case may be, we can now refer to their goals to be sure they are on the right track. This acts as a check and balance between you and the student.
Dave
In our first course we will have all our new students write down what their expiations are along what there goals. We collect and return them after we enter them in student computer base system. In the future if a student is having some difficulties, what ever the case may be, we can now refer to their goals to be sure they are on the right track.
We have the class complete a survey at the end of every course (3 weeks) and follow up with every student that leaves a comment. We have a Town Hall style meeting twice a year and provide info and updates on feedback and issues from the previous meeting. We are active in our Students Union and address all concerns brought to that forum. Instructors issue student advisories on any issue that effects student success. Our counselors are very pro-active and available for all students with any type of concern. Our Education Managers follow up with all students that have expressed concerns with attendance, class or lab issues.
At the end of every three week class session the students are given evaluation sheets that they fill out which asks them questions about the class, its material and also if they felt they got the information from the instructor and also a overall satisfaction of their expectations.
Our school uses evaluation forms at the end of each course cycle. Though still the student expectations score oriented as opposed to learning operation , diagnostic and repair procedures.
How should approach such expectations of a large class consistantly while maintaining the integrity of the learning environment?
We try to accomadate the students in all kinds of ways! Updating curriculum,new wave spins on demonstrations that involve students directly,constant updating of training aids and use of current industry news and views!
The institution in which I work hands out survey questions at the end of each course to analyze student experience. It contains twelve questions and an area for comments and suggestions. We then collect them, enter them in our system, and the results are later used when considering curricula and programs needed. Student satisfaction is a major priority when it comes to our school and services.
Every three weeks they fill out a form that has 12 questions about the class just taken, lab aids, f/a ratings etc. At the bottom of the form there is also a section for written comments. The students will bring to our attention such things as holes in the parking lot, bell timing being off, or maybe not enough filling in the subway sub. At the end of their course there is also an exit interview and follow up help to make sure their job search is on track.
At the end of every course period the class is given an opportunity to evaluate the class they just took. With questions ranging from instructor expertise, type and condition of training materials, relevance of test questions, and class room environment. Students can also rate support departments and make comments. We have also changed when the surveys are done to allow more time for constructive comments.
Our school uses a student survey process. At the end of every course the students get a chance to grade the course and the instructor. This is their opportunity to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with meeting their expectations.
We have identified that our sales/admissions staff was over selling what was actually being taught. Of course students got this rude awakening after they arrived and the "perks" that admissions promised were not really available. This is a bad start, and a loss of trust. Re-educating admissions on what was tryly available has solved a lot of that discontent.
At our campus at the end of each course an evaluation is given to the students, feedback is provided to the instructors. Students that include their ID# or name are spoken with, also students are pulled at random and asked how things are going.
Read,write,ask.think,respond. Isn'that what learning @ school is all about... even for instructors? Yes definitely!
We also use a survey at the end of each three week course. There are also numerous time that the students are contacted by faculty througout their program.
Every three weeks students evaluate instructors, the course they just took, and they have an opportunity to voice their opinions about any issues they might have had. Also management systematically interviews the entire student population and to see how their experience has been thus far. We have leasions from faculty which interact with student council. We have committees which are focused on retention and completion. We are constantly trying new way of improving the student experience. Efforts have also been made to insure that the expectations of incoming students are realistic.
We use the end of every rotation Educational Service Index questions. Every 3 weeks the students get to grade the class, the school, support services and the instructor. By the time they get to this late stage in the program most have become jaded enough that they only care that there are still only 12 questions and they put down the sameanswer for all questions.
They Have An Orentation Before The Students Start Classes,And Also If a student evaluation points out an area of concern, they will locate the student, pull them from class and discuss it with them
