Why Feedback From Your Students Matters

As a teacher, there are times when you must allow yourself to be vulnerable and humbled.  One of those times is when you receive feedback.  The constructive comments from your students are perhaps the most valuable ones of all. 

 

Kids have a reputation for speaking the truth, especially when no potential consequences are attached.  Also, they love the idea that an adult is asking for their opinions and thoughts.  Use those elements to your advantage, even if it means momentarily jeopardizing your pride by requesting their review of the lesson that you spent hours creating.    

 

Benefits of feedback from students

Naturally, receiving feedback helps you shape your course content and method of instruction moving forward.  Getting insight directly from learners makes sense since they are the one consuming what you deliver.  Feedback helps you shape your classes in a variety of ways:

·         Making adjustments to lessons and activities for the future

·         Removing particular lessons and activities that were not effective

·         Generating ideas for new lessons and activities

 

Another benefit of requesting feedback is that students will view you as human.  There is often a preconceived notion that teachers are “all-knowing” and have everything figured out.  The reality is that we make mistakes like everyone else – as difficult as it might be to admit. 😊  When learners realize that we encounter situations of uncertainty, they may view us as being pretty similar to them, after all.  

How to get feedback from students

Written feedback, whether hand-written or typed, is best.  Here’s why:

 

When responses are written out, there is usually more thought put into them than ones that are verbalized in a fleeting moment.  Students have time to think about how they would like to answer each question, embracing the opportunity to share their opinion. 

 

Also, written feedback allows for honest comments.  Students are often comforted by the notion that their remarks will remain on that sacred piece of paper (or Google Doc) to be viewed only by you, the teacher.  This sense of privacy makes genuine responses likely. 

 

Another benefit of written feedback is that you can keep it as a record to refer back to at a later time.  A class discussion during period one will be a distant memory by the time the bell rings at 3 o’clock, hence defeating the purpose of gathering input from your learners that way.  Responses that are written can be stored and reviewed at any point in the future.    

 

Here’s a word of advice: have students write their names on the paper.  While most students will take the request to provide feedback seriously and with honor, there’s a possibility that some (especially in secondary grades) may find it funny to write inappropriate comments anonymously.  Requiring a name on each paper is, in theory, preventing that situation.          

 

When and about what to request feedback

There are no rules about when and with what assignments to seek constructive comments.  It can be as frequently as and about whatever content you’d like. 

 

Perhaps your students tried a new activity.  From your perspective, the activity certainly went blank (amazingly well or painfully bad).  You may want assurance that you and your students are on the same page, so to speak.  That is a perfect opportunity to ask for feedback.       

 

As a unit comes to an end, get learners’ input.  They may suggest content to remove from or to include in this unit next year.  Their responses may also guide you in shifting the ratio of individual work versus group work.  This may spark ideas for new activities to incorporate moving forward.    

 

The end of the academic year is a great time to get feedback.  Students can nostalgically reflect on the learning they’ve done with you over the past 10 months.  As mentioned earlier, although students are usually honest in their remarks, providing the opportunity for them to give feedback at the end of the year is nearly a guarantee for totally genuine comments since they do not have to worry that their responses may impact your view of them.      

 

What questions to ask when seeking feedback

In order to get quality feedback, be sure to ask quality questions that require detailed responses.  For example, if searching for feedback about a particular unit, you might ask: What was the most interesting text read in the unit about coming of age?  Explain why.  This type of question forces students to give a few sentences as a response, rather than simply answering yes or no (which is meaningless).   

 

The questions you ask will vary depending on whether the feedback is pinpointing one particular class period or is looking at the entire year.  Here are just some questions you may want to ask, which can be adapted to your objective: 

·         What part of the activity was most enjoyable?  Explain why.

·         What part of the activity was the least enjoyable?  Explain why.

·         What was something new you learned during this activity?

·         What topic do you wish was covered in this unit?

·         What texts should be added to this unit?

·         What suggestions can you give to improve this course next year?

 

Feedback from students is one of the most invaluable resources in a teacher’s toolbox.  Take a deep breath, and extend your learners the opportunity to make your class the best it can be for all students, present and future.    

 

Leave a question, comment, or suggestion below, in the Comments Section!   

 

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Peace.  Love.  Reading & Writing.

 

💗 Miss M