We are inviting instructors at UM to be trained in a student feedback process. These trained facilitators will then be paid to perform this service for other instructors who request it. Sign up for one of the training sessions by filling out the form at http://www.snurl.com/facilitators web page. The sessions will be held on Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 5, 3:30-4:30 PM, in the University Center, Florida Ballroom - A, and you can attend either one.
One way to improve our teaching is to ask our students for their feedback. There is a widely used system that seems to provide useful feedback. With 20 minutes left in a class period the instructor leaves and a facilitor asks the students three questions: What is going well in this class? What part of this class should be removed or improved? What could be added to this class in order to improve it? A series of steps are performed to assure consensus and on the feedback. The results are given to the instructor for consideration. The instructor is usually able to find at least one suggestion that can be immediately implemented. This closes the feedback loop for the students and lets the instructor try out the suggestion at once. For best effect this feedback process takes place around the middle of the term.
This is an opportunity to interact with other faculty who are interested in improving their teaching. I hope you will join us for the training if you can. I hope you will request this service in your own classes when it is announced.
To register for one of the training sessions, please fill out the form on the http://www.snurl.com/facilitators web page.
Bill Vilberg
Instructional Advancement Center