TEACHSOC: Re: PROFESSOR MCKINNEY...

[Kathleen McKinney]

I have used a variety of "measures" depending on what I am trying to find out (e.g., how much or what students think they are learning, what I am doing right/wrong in their views, what I and they can do differently to enhance learning, are they enjoying the learning experience...). This often includes a combination of likert-type statements and open ended statements. Over time, I have moved more and more to open ended questions as the qualitative, descriptive answers are the most useful to me in improving learning in the course. Though my goal is to improve learning not gather data to share with my Chair or personnel committee, the data obtained can also be used in the latter way. My questions on my form (varies by course, may be hard copy or via email...they can respond or not, anonymous or not...) might look something like that below. I am sure there are many others on this list with great ideas for midterm evaluations.
K

1. Please provide me with two examples of ideas, skills, values, or anything else you have learned in this course thus far.


2. Please rate on the scale below how much you have learned in this course thus far.

1               2               3               4               5
Nothing                                                 A great deal

3. Please list some of the things about the course, me or my behavior, the classroom, your peers, your behavior, etc. that help you to learn and/or succeed in this course thus far.

4. Please list some of the things about the course, me or my behavior, the classroom, your peers, your behavior, etc. that are barriers to your learning and/or success in this course thus far.

5. Please indicate some things that I as your instructor could do to improve your learning and success in this course.

6. Please indicate some things that you as a student and peer could do to improve your learning and success in this course.


At 10:46 AM 2/15/2006, Michael Klausner wrote:

Greetings:
 
Professor McKinney and anyone else who would care to respond:  You once indicated that you administered student evaluations in mid-semester. Would you care to share the form you used? I, like you, think that getting student feedback at the *end* of the term is not too helpful in making changes that affect the classes that gave it.
Obtaining feedback in mid-term would give us the opportunity to make changes deemed appropriate.
 
Thanks much,
Michael

Kathleen McKinney
Cross Endowed Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Professor, Sociology
Carnegie Scholar
Box 6370
Illinois State University
Normal, Il 61790-6370
off 309-438-7706
fax 309-438-8788
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.ilstu.edu/~kmckinne/