Tips to Boost Student Responsibility
As the new semester begins, it’s worth considering how we can nudge our students toward taking responsibility for their own learning. These tips may do the trick.
- Set clear expectations. Students need to understand instructors’ expectations, so be sure to explain learning objectives and assessment criteria—rubrics, checklists, and ways for students to monitor their progress. Early on invite students to co-create rules and norms for the course to increase buy-in.
- Provide feedback. The best feedback, whether verbal, written, or peer, includes praising students’ efforts as well as pointing out areas for improvement.
- Allow choices. Give students some degree of choice in topics, formats, and methods.
- Implement reflection. Formal reflection—often a written assessment—gives students the opportunity to evaluate their own learning. Design open-ended questions that probe students to reflect on what they learned, what they found challenging, and how they will change their learning process to do better next time.
LinkedIn Community. (2023, August 30). How do you encourage student responsibility in class? LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com
Students Embrace Online Platforms for Informal Chatting
Remember the sounds of students chatting as they ambled into class, discussing assignments and deadlines or grumbling about demanding professors? They still do that—but now many use backchannels such as Slack, the popular workplace messaging system, Discord, a discussion system often used by gamers, or GroupMe, a text-message platform.
While most classroom management systems provide online forum space, students seem to prefer unsanctioned methods to communicate with one another. Indeed, many feel more comfortable using messaging rather than in-person conversations to ask questions about the course. Some are simply hesitant to speak directly to another individual. Still others have adopted the practice because they say their instructors take too long to respond to questions sent via e-mail
Professors argue that the availability and use of backchannel chats can dissuade students from attending class. Worse, many report that students use the platforms to share homework or exam questions. The answer, some instructors admit, is to respond promptly to student inquiries to discourage them from needing these platforms at all.
Young, J. (2023, September 7). How students use unofficial online backchannels for classes. Edsurge. https://www.edsurge.com
Use Office Hours for More Than Questions
Professors are often a student’s best source of information, yet many scheduled office hours go unattended. Surveys indicate that a primary reason for this situation is that students believe the only reason to visit a professor during office hours is if they have a question. But office hours can do much more than that.
Instructors can encourage students to visit during office hours by explaining beforehand what their teacher can offer beyond answering questions about course content. One professor at Southwestern Michigan College provides snacks for her students, many of whom are food insecure or just plain do not have the time to sit down for a meal. When students come for the food, the instructor happily goes beyond her subject area expertise to discuss other topics or directs needy students to the campus food pantry.
A professor from UT Austin books appointment in 15-minute increments and finds those slots are in high demand. The sport management instructor is happy to offer career advice or to talk about life in general. Beyond these sessions, the instructor goes out of his way to present himself as approachable in class. He even goes so far as to say he finds it an honor to chat with young people about their futures.
These examples show that office hours can be more rewarding for both student and instructor when both are open to changing preconceived notions about the time-honored college custom.
Supiano, B. (2023, September 7). These office hours offer more than academic support. The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter