As we near the half-way mark, consider getting mid-semester feedback from your students. Mid-semester evaluations:
- provide a chance to correct student misconceptions or make changes to the course schedule, activities, etc. if necessary.
- give students an opportunity to reflect on their own expectations, efforts, and learning.
- let students know you care about their input.
Here are some sample mid-semester evaluations you can use or adapt for your course:
- This check-off format from Seattle University makes it easy for your students to provide specific feedback, as well as some open-ended questions.
- This metacognitive mid-term reflection based on the article Transforming Midterm Evaluations into a Metacognitive Pause, asks students to think more deeply about their learning.
- Here is a Google form of a course evaluation created by Dr. Annabel Edwards, Chemistry. This video explains how to edit this form.
- Here is an open-ended form I’ve used for a number of years with a hidden easter egg. After students submit their responses, the submission page congratulates them and explains how to submit their anonymous screen shot for a free pass on next daily practice (a formative exercise I use three times a week).
Above all
don’t forget to promptly respond to the feedback – this is critical! Let students know that you heard their suggestions and discuss how you intend to respond. The section responding to the feedback gives helpful suggestions.