Improving Teaching with Formative Feedback
Formative feedback can help instructors reflect on their teaching and use information gathered from students to identify areas that can be improved. It can provide a way to monitor student learning and recognize when students are struggling. The SCS items have been chosen to focus on different elements of good teaching practice, which can help instructors identify specific areas to improve.
How Student Course Surveys Provide Formative Feedback
The SCSs ask students to respond to items regarding their experience in the classroom. Their responses provide their perspective of how the course progressed throughout the semester. To avoid inherent bias, the SCS items focus on their course experience rather than directly on the instructor(s).
| Targeted Dimension of Teaching | Corresponding SCS item(s) |
|
Students are actively engaged in learning |
In this course, I was encouraged to participate through class activities, projects, and/or assignments. |
| Builds upon students' prior knowledge and experience | This course expanded my knowledge and skills in this subject matter. |
| Promotes and supports student diversity | I was treated with respect in this course. |
| Supports students' conceptual understanding | I was encouraged to analyze and/or apply the concepts and skills taught in this course. |
| Makes explicit learning outcomes | The learning objectives for this course were clear to me. |
| Uses links between disciplinary and/or inter-disciplinary theory and practice | This course helped me to connect the concepts and skills we learned to the world around me. |
| Uses learning environments, resources, techniques effectively |
I feel I learned the subject matter well enough to help another student in this course. The course materials (D2L site, assigned readings, presentations, activities, etc.) helped me learn in this course. |
| Presents material i an appropriately structures manner | The course materials, procedures, and deadlines were clearly organized. |
| Seeks feedback on students' understanding and responds appropriately | I regularly/frequently had the opportunity to ask questions about concepts and skills in this course. |
| Provides timely feedback on student work/progress |
I received feedback on my course work/assignments throughout the semester. I received feedback on course work/assignments that helped me learn. |
|
Overall student experience (Open-ended questions) |
What did you especially like about this course? What suggestions would you make to improve the way this course is taught? Please write any additional comments you may have below. |