my students speak ...

I asked students to provide some feedback on our algebra class – anonymously.  It is interesting that across six classes, the thoughts are very similar.  I will review these ideas before our second semester begins …

 What is one thing you like about math or about our class?

• It’s easy


• I like trying to learn


• My friends are in the class


• Helps you learn about most things in life like money


• Using the calculator


• When I understand the material


• I like how you can put math in everyday words


• It’s fun to learn


• The low degree of difficulty


• It will help me in the future


• Classmates are funny


• I like that we have plenty of time to take our tests


• I like that we learn well


• I like the posters with notes that you hang around the class


• The notes you give us


• The active activities


• We get rewarded


• I like the way we do reviews


• I like how the next topic fits in with the one we just learned


• I like coming to morning tutorials


• I like that we sit in groups and take notes

 What is one thing you don’t like about math or about our class?

• The class is somewhat slow


• It’s not helpful


• It’s too long


• It’s hard


• It’s confusing


• I don’t like having to write out everything


• I don’t understand it


• I don’t like when the teacher goes to fast


• Some people are annoying


• After you first teach us something, you expect us to know it


• The math can get super boring


• When I am trying to understand, I can get distracted


• I can’t remember how to do a lot of the material until after a long time of struggling


• Algebra is mostly pointless


• Not being able to sit with who you want


• Our class is noisy


• A lot of people cheat in our class


• Our classroom is cold


• I don’t like quiet individual work


• We don’t get a lot done


• I don’t like that problems have tons of steps to get to the solutions


• We go too fast


• None of my friends are in the class

What can I do to help you learn Algebra better?

• Use peers to help one another


• By being fun


• Take more time with the problems


• Help me understand the questions


• Do more activities


• Keep me on task


• Use more engaging activities


• Nothing more than you are already doing


• Explain more clearly


• Provide food/candy


• Use more visual learning


• Go slower/explain more


• Move faster – class is boring because you go too slowly


• Keep having tutorials in the morning


• Use pictures when you can


• Use better activities


• Do more homework in class so we can ask questions about it

 What can you do to help you learn Algebra better?

• Try harder


• Focus


• Study more


• Take the teacher’s advice


• Attend tutorials


• Pay attention in class


• Listen when you are talking


• Stay focused and care more


• Start doing homework


• Not be lazy

Hmmm ... how best to use these thoughts??

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• So, how did I do? Getting feedback from students in end-of-year evaluations (missaliceleung.wordpress.com)