Checking In at Midsemester
We can’t believe it’s almost midterm already. Where did the semester go? For students, exams and assignments may be piling up, so they could be getting overwhelmed. If you haven’t already, it’s a good time to check in with your students, to learn how they’re doing at this point in the semester. We may want to find out how they’re feeling as well as how they’re performing. (The seven-week drop deadline is coming up in one week, Friday, Oct. 10th, so students need an accurate gauge of their progress.) We can also check on how the course is going—are students learning what we want them to learn? Are they still engaged? What can we adjust to nudge them back on track if they’re straying or behind?
We’ve talked a bit in previous messages about creating a feedback loop. Students need feedback on their progress so that they can learn effectively. The assessments and other measures that provide them with feedback on their learning also give us feedback on our teaching. If students are learning what we want them to learn, to the level of mastery we want to see, then our course designs are working well. If they’re off track, we can make some adjustments. Students can provide us with feedback in other ways as well, like through surveys and midterm evaluations.
Finding out how things are going at midsemester, rather than waiting for SPCI results, gives us an opportunity to hone our plans for the rest of the term. Plus, when we survey students ourselves, we can solicit feedback that is more constructive and specific. For example, we can ask about whether certain activities or assignments are helping them learn, what they’re having trouble with, and so on.
Gathering midterm feedback also sends students the message that you’re committed to their progress and success. Collecting feedback midway often improves end-of-semester evaluations, as long as you close the loop and address the results with your students, letting them know what you heard and what you’re able to adjust. It’s useful to explain to students why you want their feedback, what kinds of things you want to know, and how their feedback will help you improve their learning experiences. By seeking and implementing feedback you will also model good learning strategies.
You can use Canvas, Qualtrics, or another survey app to create and distribute a midterm survey in class or online. We’ve developed a sample midterm evaluation that you can import into Canvas. Instructions are available here. We’re also happy to help you interpret the results, consider adjustments you’d like to make, and plan how you will discuss the feedback with students.
There are two important provisos: Students must be confident that the feedback process is safe and anonymous. It’s also essential that you follow up with students, thanking them for their honest feedback and outlining how you’ll use it. You can accommodate reasonable, useful suggestions and explain why others aren’t feasible this semester.
In recent years, colleagues who administered midterm surveys have reported that students frequently asked for more quizzes or other kinds of practice. Students wanted to know how they were doing so they could adjust and improve. If you’re eager for feedback, too, or if you’d like support interpreting the results of your survey or adjusting some aspects of your course, please contact us at pro-teaching@fsu.edu to schedule a consultation. We look forward to working with you!
Upcoming Events:
Getting Started Teaching with AI Faculty Panel
Thursday, October 16th | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Location TBD, in-person event
Please sign up here.
Are you curious about using AI in your teaching but unsure where to begin? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the flood of information about AI in higher education and looking for a beginner-friendly way to get started, this event is for you. Join us for a faculty panel discussion featuring FSU colleagues who have recently begun integrating AI into their teaching. They’ll share how they got started, what their experiences have been so far, and how AI is enhancing their instructional practices. You’ll get some new ideas and have multiple opportunities to ask questions, so we hope you can join us!