Teacher
Question of the WeekTeacher
Question of the Week
Q: What is an easy way to get some ideas about how to improve my classes for next term?
A. Before ending the semester, I ask my students to do a mini-evaluation of the class, and to get them started, I write a few questions on the board to which they can respond. I invite them to write more, if they like, as a way of letting me know anything they feel I should be aware of. I try to make it be purposeful by telling them that I do value their ideas a lot, and use their responses to improve the class for next term.
The questions are simple:
1. How did you grow from being in this class?
2. What part did you like? (e.g., What helped you the most? Which strategies were most useful?)
3. How would you improve the class? (What changes would you like to see for next semester?)
While inviting students to do this is taking a mild risk, it is one with its rich benefits as well. Students are very generous and let me know what they really valued, and the comments for improvement are usually close to what I would note in my own self-examination. It is respectful of them when I try to learn about their perceptions and ask them for their feedback.
Let me know of your suggestions of effective ways to evaluate your class by email.
Thank you for your interest and questions throughout the year. Please continue to send in any comments or questions you'd like to have appear in this Question of the Week series.
Have a nice summer!