All instructors receive course evaluations at the end of a semester, but how can feedback be used to make adjustments before a course is complete? At the end of class, hand out notecards to collect feedback. For the next class, categorize cards and respond to the class as a whole.

• On the front of the card: What does the instructor do to help you succeed in the course? 
• On the back of the card: What could the instructor do to help you succeed in the course?

Instructors do course evaluations after a class is complete. However, the time lapse does little to help the dynamics of the class that completed the evaluations. Therefore, it is useful (for both students and instructors) to have some sort of class evaluation midway through the term. 

Sometime toward the middle of the semester, hand out a notecard to each student in your classes and give them a very simple task: on one side of the card, explain what the instructor does to help you learn and succeed in the course; on the other side of the card, explain changes that would help you learn and succeed in the course. Students are asked not to write their names on the cards as their responses are anonymous, which hopefully encourages honesty. 

Before the next class period, take time to read the responses and compile a list of common themes, and share these themes with the class during the next class period. Sharing the positive feedback reminds students of the positive things they are taking away from the class. Sharing the suggested changes gives instructors an opportunity to actually commit to making changes or explain why they are choosing not to do so. 

This activity helps instructors better see classes through the students’ eyes. It also gives the students some perspective from the instructor’s point of view, as well as that of their peers.

CETL edited this strategy from Fred Sandborn’s contribution to the Teaching Issues in Writing Consortium’s 2015-2016 Teaching Tips. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Oakland University.

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