Credit: © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Just ask! Sometimes you must ask the right question to get the conversation started. An example of a great prompt for student feedback is to ask students to share “The one thing I wish I had known before I took this course is...” Replies to this prompt are exactly the kind of information that can help you address misunderstandings or clear up poor instructions or explanations. For example, when a student makes it known that they are having difficulty following along with course assignments and due dates, a responsive educator could
- address the learner’s need immediately by pointing to ways to view course assignments and timelines.
- consider making changes to help future students find this information more easily.
Remember to follow through with clear messaging about how you will address student feedback and when students can expect to see the result of their feedback in the course. This enhances student agency and can foster engagement where students know their voices are heard and valued. You can ask students for feedback in any number of ways, including announcements, email, discussion boards, anonymous surveys, and paper and pencil.