Ask students how the class discussion could be improved to help develop an environment where students are comfortable and co-responsible for creating a good discussion.

Action:

  • Ask students for feedback on how the discussion is going. Students can provide this feedback in an anonymous online survey or in a short in-class survey.
  • Here are some questions you might include in a survey:
    • Do you find the class discussions interesting? (Likert responses)
    • Do you find the class discussions helpful to your learning? (Likert responses)
    • Do you feel comfortable contributing to the discussion? (Likert responses)
    • What are ways that I could improve your experience in class discussions? (Open ended responses)
    • What are ways that you could improve your experience in class discussion? (Open ended responses)
  • After you review students’ feedback, summarize the results to the class and discuss what changes you will and won’t make changes based upon their feedback and explain why.

Reason:

  • Students often have ideas for how discussion can be improved.
  • This can help students see themselves as responsible for the tone and content of the discussion. Including a question about what they can do to improve the discussion can additionally support this attitude.
  • Summarizing the feedback you receive and telling students what changes will make and why avoids students frustration of your seeking their advice and not taking it.. Make sure that students know you understood their feedback and when possible you will act on their suggestions.