New Teacher Tips: How to Get Feedback from Students

Getting feedback from students is very important for teachers for planning. When teachers are able to evaluate what went well and what didn't, they can adjust and monitor instruction much more effectively. They can also zero in on troubleshooting areas of their teaching they didn't know existed.

Here are some ideas on how to get feedback from students after lessons. (or units)

Ask the three most important things. Just before the end of a lesson or unit, you might say to the students: "I'd like to check what you have learned. Take a few minutes to note down the most important things (three, maybe four or five) you've taken from this lesson/unit. That is, three things that, if you forgot everything else, would capture the essence for you."

While they are doing this, you write on the board the three most important things.

When time is up, show them the three things you wrote and tell them why you think these three are the most important. Ask them who agrees with your ideas and who has other ideas. Stress that you're getting feedback on the lesson/unit and that you're not testing them. You'll learn a lot about your teaching. It's also a useful final wrap-up of the lesson/unit for the students.

Instant Questionnaires. This is a useful way to obtain feedback in a large class. It also enables you to confirm your own hunches about particular strengths and weaknesses about how the lesson(s) went.

Write on the board a few statements summarizing what you think students might be feeling about your lesson. A sample list might be:

• I understood the lesson.
• I need more examples in order to understand.
• The pace was a bit slow/too fast.
• I still have some questions.
• Paying attention during these lessons was not easy.
• The lesson was interesting.

Then write beside the statements the following rating scale:

1. Strongly agree

2. Agree

3. Disagree

4. Strongly disagree

Ask students to note their responses (number) to each of your statements (letter) and hand in their papers.

The results will only take you a few minutes to evaluate. In the next lesson, you might want to give them a summary of their responses. You could also tell them how you are going to change lessons in the future based on their feedback.

Show of Hands. This method gives you instant feedback during the lesson while you can still use feedback to change what you are doing at the moment!

You ask questions and students answer with a show of hands. Make sure you ask students specific questions that you can act on.

1. Would you like another example of this? Can I have a show of hands, please?

2. Can I speed up now to get through the rest of the material? Please put your hand up if you want me to speed up. (or slow down)

3. Who would like a two minute break?

Concluding Comments

These suggestions may feel a bit strange. Aren't you putting yourself in an exposed position, asking students what they think of your teaching? What if they say critical things? How will you respond?

Students will always have an opinion about your teaching whether you ask them or not. It will take them a little time for them to get used to you asking them for their feedback. However, several good things will happen when you ask them for their opinions:

• Students have to clarify EXACTLY what they think about your teaching and why. (particularly about their behavior and responsibility)
• They start to think about the link between your teaching and their learning.
• Above all, they give you information you need to improve your teaching. (and to improve their behavior and learning strategies)

You may not agree with all their feedback. You may not be able or even want to follow all their suggestions. But, your relationship with your students will be more productive just because they KNOW you listened to them.