Closing the Assessment Loop Andong He Oct 20 th, 2009 Confusius (551 B.C － 479 B.C) Be insatiable in learning; be tireless in teaching. Be insatiable in learning; be tireless in teaching.

Types of assessment Feedback from peers and faculties, who visit your class. Feedback from peers and faculties, who visit your class. Day-to-day feedback.( , in-class issues). Day-to-day feedback.( , in-class issues). Student evaluation (mid & end-semester, in written form; obtain from Becky). Student evaluation (mid & end-semester, in written form; obtain from Becky). course evaluation (textbook, exams, lectures … ) course evaluation (textbook, exams, lectures … ) instructor evaluation (clearness of explanation, class preparation, availability for help, ability to maintain interest … ) instructor evaluation (clearness of explanation, class preparation, availability for help, ability to maintain interest … ) Online material: ( Online material: (

What is the assessment loop? Students Feedback Instructor

Class pace Discussion: … the explanations could have been much clearer, and every step should be explained … … the explanations could have been much clearer, and every step should be explained … X sometimes skips steps and it is unclear how X came to an answer. X sometimes skips steps and it is unclear how X came to an answer It was sometimes difficult to follow because a few students shouldn ’ t have been in the class; we had to stop many times and it was distracting; It was sometimes difficult to follow because a few students shouldn ’ t have been in the class; we had to stop many times and it was distracting; How do I know the class is going too fast, or too slow?

Notes taking Discussion: the material was presented in the same way each day, but there is not much else you can do with math. the material was presented in the same way each day, but there is not much else you can do with math … the instructor stays with the routine every class which was good. … the instructor stays with the routine every class which was good. How much should I write on the black board? V.S. How much should I speak?

Use of textbook Discussion: take all the stuff the instructor puts on the board from the book; a lot of note taking, not necessarily all useful though. take all the stuff the instructor puts on the board from the book; a lot of note taking, not necessarily all useful though. the text is confusing the doesn ’ t really fully explain what we are learning. the text is confusing the doesn ’ t really fully explain what we are learning I think the text and solutions book are helpful assets to what X teaches in class … I think the text and solutions book are helpful assets to what X teaches in class … How much notes should be from textbook and how much should be from outside?

Accent … difficult to understand, because of thick accent. … difficult to understand, because of thick accent It was hard at first to understand X ’ s accent, but X was very passionate about his work! It was hard at first to understand X ’ s accent, but X was very passionate about his work! … slight language barrier but he was very good at teaching. … slight language barrier but he was very good at teaching.

These we should continue … always have a lesson plan and didn ’ t steer away from syllabus which was nice. … always have a lesson plan and didn ’ t steer away from syllabus which was nice. X was extremely patient which I think is important for a Math instructor. X was extremely patient which I think is important for a Math instructor. X ’ s examples are clear and consistent with the quizzes. X ’ s examples are clear and consistent with the quizzes. X is interesting/motivating/nice and encouraging; X is always prepared. X is interesting/motivating/nice and encouraging; X is always prepared.Discussion: How to motivate students? (for example, come to class … )

Those we can improve … I felt that X sometimes looked down on some students when they asked questions. … I felt that X sometimes looked down on some students when they asked questions. … seemed reluctant and unwilling to teach class. … seemed reluctant and unwilling to teach class. X doesn ’ t seem willing to help; always busy every time I go to X ’ s office. X doesn ’ t seem willing to help; always busy every time I go to X ’ s office. X has very limited office hours/.. I can ’ t find X in office hours. X has very limited office hours/.. I can ’ t find X in office hours.Discussion: … the instructor needs to keep class quieter. … the instructor needs to keep class quieter.

Interlude - what can i say? X is extremely nice and helpful; but X can ’ t motivate me because I hate math. X is extremely nice and helpful; but X can ’ t motivate me because I hate math. Very well prepared and available to help, but it is impossible to maintain my interest in a math course! Very well prepared and available to help, but it is impossible to maintain my interest in a math course! Great course if you hate math. It was like a nostalgic journey to 9 th grade – graphing, LCDs, and variables – oh my! Great course if you hate math. It was like a nostalgic journey to 9 th grade – graphing, LCDs, and variables – oh my!

A few suggestions Improve your weakest point first. Improve your weakest point first. If you are a foreigner instructor, speak a little loudly. If you are a foreigner instructor, speak a little loudly. Let the students know you actually read the evaluations. Let the students know you actually read the evaluations. Some evaluations could be extreme; don ’ t be overwhelmed! Some evaluations could be extreme; don ’ t be overwhelmed!

Not always bad news X is pretty much the best instructor I ’ ve ever had. X is an amazing lecturer, X keeps everyone attention and is super helpful. X is also very funny. X knows everyone ’ s name. X is pretty much the best instructor I ’ ve ever had. X is an amazing lecturer, X keeps everyone attention and is super helpful. X is also very funny. X knows everyone ’ s name. I absolutely love how much passion X has at what X does. X is freaking adorable! and I definitely would have dated X if X was an undergrad with me! I absolutely love how much passion X has at what X does. X is freaking adorable! and I definitely would have dated X if X was an undergrad with me! X was very clear in explanations and always available for help. I really don ’ t like math but X made it bearable. X was very clear in explanations and always available for help. I really don ’ t like math but X made it bearable.

My favorite one … X motivates me to be a better person and to strive to always do my best. … X motivates me to be a better person and to strive to always do my best. Is there anything more important in education?