New Teacher Tips - How to Get Feedback From Students

Getting feedback from students is very important forAsk students to note their responses (number) to
teachers for planning. When teachers are able toeach of your statements (letter) and hand in their
evaluate what went well and what didn't, they canpapers.
adjust and monitor instruction much more effectively.The results will only take you a few minutes to
They can also zero in on troubleshooting areas of theirevaluate. In the next lesson, you might want to give
teaching they didn't know existed.them a summary of their responses. You could also
Here are some ideas on how to get feedback fromtell them how you are going to change lessons in the
students after lessons. (or units)future based on their feedback.
Ask the three most important things. Just before theShow of Hands. This method gives you instant
end of a lesson or unit, you might say to the students:feedback during the lesson while you can still use
"I'd like to check what you have learned. Take a fewfeedback to change what you are doing at the
minutes to note down the most important things (three,moment!
maybe four or five) you've taken from this lesson/unit.You ask questions and students answer with a show
That is, three things that, if you forgot everything else,of hands. Make sure you ask students specific
would capture the essence for you."questions that you can act on.
While they are doing this, you write on the board the1. Would you like another example of this? Can I have
three most important things.a show of hands, please?
When time is up, show them the three things you2. Can I speed up now to get through the rest of the
wrote and tell them why you think these three are thematerial? Please put your hand up if you want me to
most important. Ask them who agrees with your ideasspeed up. (or slow down)
and who has other ideas. Stress that you're getting3. Who would like a two minute break?
feedback on the lesson/unit and that you're not testingConcluding Comments
them. You'll learn a lot about your teaching. It's also aThese suggestions may feel a bit strange. Aren't you
useful final wrap-up of the lesson/unit for the students.putting yourself in an exposed position, asking students
Instant Questionnaires. This is a useful way to obtainwhat they think of your teaching? What if they say
feedback in a large class. It also enables you tocritical things? How will you respond?
confirm your own hunches about particular strengthsStudents will always have an opinion about your
and weaknesses about how the lesson(s) went.teaching whether you ask them or not. It will take them
Write on the board a few statements summarizinga little time for them to get used to you asking them
what you think students might be feeling about yourfor their feedback. However, several good things will
lesson. A sample list might be:happen when you ask them for their opinions:
I understood the lesson.Students have to clarify EXACTLY what they think
I need more examples in order to understand.about your teaching and why. (particularly about their
The pace was a bit slow/too fast.behavior and responsibility) They start to think about
I still have some questions.the link between your teaching and their learning.
Paying attention during these lessons was not easy.Above all, they give you information you need to
The lesson was interesting.improve your teaching. (and to improve their behavior
Then write beside the statements the following ratingand learning strategies)
scale:You may not agree with all their feedback. You may
1. Strongly agreenot be able or even want to follow all their suggestions.
2. AgreeBut, your relationship with your students will be more
3. Disagreeproductive just because they KNOW you listened to
4. Strongly disagreethem.