I was thinking over the weekend – how do we identify areas that need improvement? We listen to educational gurus hoping to learn how to become the greatest teacher ever. With all due respect to these educational gurus – many of whom are no longer in the classroom – how do they know what’s best for my class? I think perhaps we sometimes listen to the wrong voices.
I decided over the weekend to talk to my students; I decided to ask them for some advice. My question was quite simple: If attendance in my physics class was completely optional, what would make them want to come every day anyway?
I made a Google form and ask that question. The students were not required to use their names. I have included the results here. I put this out there just for your information. Clearly I do some things well. Equally there is room for improvement. My class is not perfect; no one is planning a made-for-TV movie based on my life. That said I think the responses the students left were thoughtful and sincere.
Let me know what you think about what they had to say. I encourage you to ask your students the same question. Let us know what happens.
coming_to_class_questionaire_ii.pdf |