One of the things I do at the end of my training classes is hand out a post assessment. Instead of asking what faculty and staff participants think of me as an instructor, I ask what they feel they are taking away with them as a result of attending the class. The goal is to measure learning, not my level of popularity (participants can and still do tell me what they think of my teaching). You may know that I am a fan of Stephen Brookfield, and my post-assessment form is based upon a chapter in his book, The Skillful Teacher, on improving lectures. I would like to apply this to our Teaching Blog. Please comment with your response to one or more of the following questions:
What point(s) made in any of the posts or comments thus far stand(s) out most to you?
What do you know now that you did not know before?
What will you do differently now as a result of participating in the Teaching Blog? (I am defining “participating” broadly – reading, commenting on, or writing posts.)
What issues have been raised that need further discussion or most need addressing by the College?
What stands out the most are the posts that contain strong opinions (e.g., the link to “Professor Strikes Back” on ratemyprofessor.com). What I have found helpful is some information that was shared especially when the Blog first started in the fall (e.g., the link to the Gapminder software).
It was quite enlightening to engage in sustained discussion about pedagogical styles, grading issues and student evaluations of faculty. The continuing discourse is altering my perception of, and approach to, these matters. How exactly? I am not sure. Time will tell. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see such flexibility and openness on these issues.