According to the UGA Academic Calendar, midterm is March 2. Does “midterm” mean anything in your classroom? For me, it is the perfect time to do a little reflection on how the course is going so far and whether there are things I can do to improve the learning experience for me and for my students. Besides looking back myself, I like to do a brief online survey of students for their take on the class so far. It’s usually nothing fancy, just a few simple questions – what’s working, what’s not, and what could make it better? I like technology for this purpose, and use a web-based survey tool, but some instructors have a colleague come into the class to do a facilitated activity with their students and then report back with the results. Regardless of the delivery strategy, it is important to talk about the results with the students, including what changes can be made and what can’t be changed.
What do you think of incorporating a midterm evaluation in your own courses?
BTW, survey coming soon to EDHI9040...
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I think it is SO important as an instructor to offer that opportunity to students to give some feedback, and even more importantly...to discuss it and implement some of the suggestions! I think this communicates to the students that you truly care about their thoughts and what they are taking away from the course. We utilize an in-class feedback using the same questions...as Dr. Duncan likes to refer to it as 'Stop, Start, & Continue'. It is on our agenda for Thursday's class! What a great idea, though, to utilize an online survey! Do you ever have any issues of response rate with it online? Or, is there another form of motivation you use to encourage participation? Wow, it is so hard to believe that midterms are just a week away!
ReplyDeleteI am implementing a anonymous evaluating after my weekly lab class. Its a data that will take some time to analyze
ReplyDeleteResponse rate can be a problem with an online survey, but I think the feedback I get is a bit more thought-out when students can spend a little time on it.
ReplyDeleteI have actually asked for feedback from my students this week and have allowed a weeks time by which they need to drop the typed evaluations in a drop box. I may have something to say about those after I get a chance to read them.... So yea I totally support midterm evaluations..:)
ReplyDeleteI think it is imperative. It demonstrates your investment in how the course is going and provides an opportunity for valuable feedback. I also think its really important to report the results back to the class and to discuss / review how you will/will not incorporate any suggestions. If you do not plan to, its a great time to explain the rationale. Midterm evals can be used to make students feel like they have a say in this education they are paying such much for - and makes them feel their opinion is valued. And when people are more valued / invested, theres an increased likelihood of better educational outcomes. And thats what we want!
ReplyDeleteI used surveymonkey to implement anonymous midterm evaluations in my FYOS class last semester. We got a great response, and adjusted the course emphasis to tailor the class to the students' aspirations. Later, the students expressed satisfaction that they could really sense we had listened and responded to their evaluations.
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