As we close out another academic year, I am sure our thoughts compete for time. Some thoughts are about the year we are closing: “Was this course laid out well?” “I wonder why this student just could not meet with success?” “Will I ever get to the bottom of this paperwork?” Others turn to the upcoming year: “What new lesson will I develop over the summer for that course?” “How can I change that lecture so it is more effective?” “What can I do to increase student engagement?” Still, others tackle the big questions that are campus-wide, like “What is my role in the retention of students?”
There are a variety of factors that contribute to our students’ academic success, engagement, and overall satisfaction with Faulkner University. Success+engagement+satisfaction=retention. Three of these factors are directly related to the classroom: effective teaching and engagement, a supportive learning environment, and academic support and resources. Understanding these factors can help us as an institution develop strategies to promote student engagement, success, and retention.
As this year draws to a close, here are some end-of-year questions to help focus our reflection in a way that leads to continuous improvement.
- What were my goals at the beginning of the year, and to what extent have I achieved them?
- How effectively did I communicate course expectations and learning objectives to my students?
- What teaching strategies or methods were most successful in promoting student engagement and active learning?
- Which topics or concepts pose the most significant challenges for students? How could I change my delivery methods for those concepts to have more impact?
- Did I provide timely and constructive feedback on student assignments and assessments? How can I improve my feedback practices?
- How well did I facilitate discussions and promote student interaction and collaboration within the classroom?
- How did I promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of knowledge in my teaching?
- What assessment methods did I use, and did the assessments align with my learning outcomes? Are there alternative or additional assessment strategies I should consider?
- Did I encourage student reflection and self-assessment?
- How can I create a better work-life balance for myself to ensure my well-being and effectiveness as an educator?
Future editions of the newsletter will look at many of these questions in greater depth by unpacking them and examining current evidence-backed strategies that have been effective.
By reflecting on these questions and engaging in self-assessment, we can gain valuable insights into our teaching practices, make informed adjustments, and identify areas to target for growth. End-of-year reflection paves the way for continuous improvement and celebrations of a job well done.