Communication and Feedback
Some of the most frequent concerns students raise about their courses are regarding instructor communication and feedback. The compressed nature of our courses increases the need for clear, consistent and timely communication between instructors and students. In addition, you can greatly assist your students’ academic success by providing regular and timely feedback on their performance in your course.
Communication and feedback are two of the eight Principles for Teaching Effectiveness outlined in Maximizing Learning, our expectations for the faculty role and definition of faculty responsibilities. Some key points are highlighted again below:
Communication and Cooperation
- Ask open-ended questions that draw out relevant learner knowledge and experience
- Encourage students to ask questions
- Encourage classroom cooperation; create student project teams within a course
- Fulfill the terms of the syllabus regarding your availability, accessibility, and response turn-around
Feedback
- Provide opportunities for informal, non-evaluative feedback on the acquisition and application of new course material (e.g., solicit group responses, provide handouts with correct answers for self-checking)
- Distribute performance evaluations throughout the course to provide ongoing feedback on the quality of each student’s performance
- Include written comments specifying the strengths and weaknesses of each student’s performance on a given assignment
- Solicit student feedback about class at multiple points in the course
- Return graded assignments within the time frame established in Principle 2.2.3
- Assign final grades according to each student’s individual achievement and contribution (e.g., in group projects)
Return of Student Tests and Papers
Instructors must return test evaluations and corrected papers to students within a reasonable length of time. If you are teaching in one of our program centers, you may give student papers to the Program Administrator for distribution. Please inform students that their papers may be picked up at the center office. Tests and papers may be returned directly to the student if that student provides a stamped, addressed envelope.
You should retain all examinations/papers not returned to the students until 60 days past the end of the course, the time limit for students to initiate grade grievance procedures. If a student has raised a concern about a grade, the examinations/papers should be retained until the concern is resolved.
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