Term 3 Week 10 - Student evaluations

It's that time of year when we are marking like crazy, giving back exam papers and trying to engage students in reflecting on their own learning and what they need to do to reach their end of year goals. It is also a time for us to reflect on our teaching practice - what are we doing well and what we can improve on. There are a number of ways that we can do this. I think it's a really good time to ask the students what they think. Gaining insight into how students feel about our teaching and our subjects just before the holidays gives us time to implement some of their suggestions for next term.

Two simple evaluation tools: PMI (Plus Minus Interesting) and Questioning.

Some descriptions of PMI and templates:
http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/pid/1825
http://www.wettropics.gov.au/st/rainforest_explorer/Resources/Documents/4to7/TeachingStrategies/PMIStrategy.pdf
Questioning

Can be as simple as the questions that I asked my Year 10 class to comment on:

• What are some things that you have found challenging in English this year? (what are the things that we do in English that make your head hurt or have the potential to make your head hurt?)


• How can I challenge you in English next term?

I got some very valuable and honest responses, especially feedback for next term - they would like lots of timed essays apparently. So we are starting with one on the first day back.

Remember I am available to support you with your teaching practice - observations, help creating resources/ unit plans, look after your class while you visit another teacher's classroom ...

Hope you all have a good break over the holidays