We all think that we are good teachers and that we have great lessons. However, last year I did a study on the difference between students’ and faculty eportfolio perceptions and it struck me how different they were. It reminded me that when I taught in public schools, I would have my students assess each unit in terms of how well the various classroom activities helped them in doing well in the standard. I was alway shocked at that special activity that I thought was the perfect learning activity did not strike the students that way; the rated it as one of the lowest. I also included the open ended “What do you think would help you to learn this standard better?” question and I was amazed at their great suggestions which I incorporated into the next time I taught the unit.
The students can do your unit report card in an online system that will instantly give you the information by categories. Instant feedback on your teaching!
Are you willing to grow based on our students’ assessment of the unit? Students can be the best in-class professional development we can have!
I too have gotten good suggestions from students on their learning from either journal entries or reflective essays written after I return a large project with its grade. Often, I am more interested in them learning a specific behavior rather than a standard, and they amaze me with their perception of learning. Many of my students tell me that I am the only teacher who ever asks them to reflect on their learning.
I just blogged recently about this too. Phil Schlecty has a lot of suggestions for using students assessments in his book Working on the Work. It is always shocking and disheartening to find that the material we work long hours on does not impress our students. But using student “engagement” evaluation instruments can help a teacher improve their own practice if they will listen to the kids. It is not a grade for the teacher, but instead a “help me improve this lesson” type activity. Kids will be brutally honest.