In our classes we think that we are sailing our class on clear seas. However, if we stop to ask our students to reflect on their learning, we may get a story of stormy waters where they feel they are drowning. Unless we frequently stop to ask them to reflect and give us feedback we will not know their present learning conditions. Most quizzes and tests do not give us that information since they are summative. Frequent surveys or feedback forms do provide us with very useful information on how to help them better navigate their learning. When we give those surveys in programs like Blackboard or Zoomerang, we can instantly get the results organized by question so that we can immediately redirect our sailing and their sailing.
How often do you survey your students for their feedback about present learning strengths and learning gaps?
