Just after the Spring Break reading week, on February 23 and 25, I asked students at the end of class to come up with three comments or observations on the course and how things were going. At least one of these comments had to be positive, and one a suggestion for improvement.
I’m interested in getting midterm feedback in part because it can help guide the second half of the semester: if necessary we can make changes or follow up on the feedback given.
But I am also very interested in feedback because I recognize that this is an unconventional course in many ways (in terms of its structure and grading, for instance), and I am keen to know how it is seen and experienced by students themselves.
| Positive | Negative | Other | Jon's comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| As said at the start of the class, this class is so helpful in preventing anxiety about grades. I really appreciate the contract grading. The TAs are so on it! It's nice to see the effort they give in responding to students' blogs. Thanks guys! |
On the other hand of that, maybe no random calling on people, to reduce anxiety. | I can't promise to eliminate calling on people entirely: I do think I provide everything I can (via the flipped classroom, with lecture and conversation videos, plus you are prepped having written your blog posts) to ensure that students come to class prepared to participate. On the other hand, I almost always call on people only after group work: the person called upon then becomes the spokesperson for a whole group, thus building on group discussion and spreading responsibility around. | |
| I like the grading contract structure--alleviates a lot of street but still motivates me to work hard. I like that the midterm is optional in this course, as it isn't my preferred method of testing. |
Can be hard to shift focus from one novel / blog post / lecture / discussion to the next so quickly; maybe if they could be spaced out a bit more that would be nice, or if classes were on Wed/Fri instead of Mon/Wed, so there's that extra day at the beginning of the week. | I don't get to control the timetable, sadly... but even if we had classes on Wed/Fri, I would no doubt still ask for blog posts to be due the night before class, so I'm not sure it would make a lot of difference. I do know, however, that we cover a lot of ground (although that also depends on the contract you pick!). That, however, is by design: I'm trying to introduce you to a whole panorama of Romance language literature. | |
| Lovely enthusiasm from prof keeps it engaging. | Let us know if there is/isn't a convo video coming up pls? Music is a bit loud during talking/collab work time. |
I'll certainly try to keep you up to date (as I did this week) about conversation videos. And I'm happy to turn the music down... perhaps you can mention when you are finding it too loud? | |
| I really like how the course is designed, how the course functions. I mean: reading the book we ant, and to discuss with classmates. | The post makes me a little bit nervous. Maybe the music is a little book too loud wen we discuss??? |
I hope you come to feel less nervous about your blog posts... these should be a space above all in which you express yourselves. And I'm happy to turn the music down... perhaps you can mention when you are finding it too loud? | |
| The course structure is nice: read, watch videos, blog post, discussion class. Particularly blog posts are a great way of interacting with other students' thoughts/perspectives. | The balance of workload is good, but a lot. Sometimes, I find that trying to do everything takes a lot of time, even if I start early. I'm also a very slow reader and focus a lot on trying to memorize potentially important details in preparation for the quiz. Class discussions are very interesting, but I'm more of a listening, make observations, so I get anxious when called on. |
I'm glad you like the course structure. On calling on students, as I say in my comment above: I almost always call on people only after group work: the person called upon then becomes the spokesperson for a whole group, thus building on group discussion and spreading responsibility around. On workload, I do try to make it achievable, but above all I'd point out that you control that to a large extent, depending on the contract you have chosen, which includes your final grade and the number and choice of books. I do try hard to ensure that the workload is reasonable in terms of the grade contracted for: I believe an A+, for instance, should require significant effort; and that a C+, for example, should not be hard to achieve. I am open to suggestions, but on the whole I think the balance is about right. | |
| I always enjoy the discussion questions. They always get me to think more about the book in new ways. I also like the selection of novels and choice in picking. |
If the quizzes weren't right at beginning of class would be better, just in case get late to class. | I'm glad you like the novels! As for the quiz, my feeling is I want to get the quiz over and done with, so we can get to the important stuff: the discussion of the text! | |
| I really like the grade contract: helps me focus on working rather than worrying about grades. Flipped classroom works out well, and the lecture videos are super helpful to understanding the novels better. |
Maybe you can change the due date for blogs to right before class, but that's not necessary. | Thanks! As for the due date for blogs: I decide on what we are going to discuss in class largely on the basis of reading what you guys have written in your blog posts... so I really can't ask for them any later! | |
| Lectures are very engaging, which is fun. Blogs are fun to make. Conversation videos are interesting to watch. |
Yay! | ||
| Idk man, I love the whole course. Love the playlists! Please teach more RMST courses! |
Would like better descriptions in "Choose your own adventure" and more thought-provoking blog comments (though I understand it's a lot). | I do plan to revisit the descriptions in "Choose your Own Adventure". One constraint is that I really don't want to make these descriptions too long. If you (or anyone else) has specific suggestions, they would be most welcome! | |
| There is a lot of freedom--literary freedom about the blog posts. This is positive! In a world of corporate writing and heavy academic essays, this is much needed! I love the readings. |
Group discussions are not always productive. | Group discussions are on you guys, to a large extent! But if I can provide better prompts, do tell me. | |
| I like the books and the blogs, so I can see what others think. | Some pages in the books are missing... many people in class have physical books, maybe we can fill them back? | Absolutely, happy to fix any missing pages... can you help by pointing to where the gaps are? | |
| I like the contract grading--the idea that you get a grade for certain if ou put an X amount of effort in makes learning rewarding. A reciprocal relationship!! The discussions each class pertaining to each book are eye-opening. The fact that we get time to read, analyze through our blog posts, and then have a wide discussions actually helps me to understand the book, context (historical, social, etc.), and keeps it ingrained. |
One thing that could maybe improve would be the scans for the book--some of them are missing pages and might need to be updated. | A "reciprocal relationship" is a very nice way to describe contract grading, in my view! On missing pages (I wasn't aware!), again absolutely, happy to fix... can you help by pointing to where the gaps are? | |
| The discussion sessions are very entertaining. It is a great space to share thoughts and gain new perspectives on the novels. The themes of some books are similar and it is fun comparing the characters from different books. |
Topics of discussion sometimes feel limited, but understandable due to the time constraint. | ||
| I really like the low pressure of one assignment per week--and the flexibility. The discussions are always engaging: Jon is a great prof. |
For the weeks with the required book, I would ask to have the topics for Monday and Wednesday listed, to choose which one I am more interested in talking about. | Your suggestion is very understandable, however I decide on what we are going to discuss in class largely on the basis of reading what you guys have written in your blog posts... which means I don't made those decisions until Sunday night / Monday morning, and then what we do on the Wednesday often depends on how the Monday has gone. (Right now it's Monday evening, for instance, and I have yet to decide what we will be discussing in Rodoreda this Wednesday!) | |
| Selection of novels has been good: I have enjoyed / gotten something out of most readings so far. I like writing and reading the blogs and to having to worry about my grade. |
Discussions could have more guidance among groups, but usually very well held. | ||
| I really enjoy how accessible the website has become. As well, I am happy that the lectures are available in the transcript form as well as a podcast: it allows me to reference back to what I have listed to in a really accessible way. I am also happy about my ability to self-direct, due to the deadline of Sunday night and th contract. For example, though I have a full course load, having the Sunday deadline allows me to get started on reading later in the week and still be able to keep to my contract. |
For improvement, I think it would be helpful to have guiding questions available for each book, so that reading/blogging can become more structured if we wish. | There are questions for each and every book! | |
| I like that the class is engaging and everyone participates. I also like the music. I like the idea of blog posts not being graded on content. |
I suggest that we could use technology to take notes, at least iPad. | I'm glad you like the music! I spend too much time thinking about it. 🙂 As for note-taking... I do think there are many specific advantages to using a pen and notebook, and not only to avoid the many distractions that are on your devices... and the science seems to agree. | |
| I'm a fan of the blogs. I like its deadline and the requirements are good. I like the course's reliability. I know what to expect and how to plan my time to do well. |
Online Canvas quizzes could save paper and TA marking time. There should be more flexibility. Two absence for A+ rather than one. Everyone regardless of grade contract should get one absence, then A+ contractors get one bonus. Sometimes life happens or you get sick. One absence for 12-14 attendances is restrictive, but can be Okay. |
One the quizzes: I'm not against the idea of Canvas quizzes. In fact, my original plan was to use Kahoot. But in the end, using pen and paper just seemed quicker and easier. As to absences... you will find that we are indeed as flexible and responsive as we can be when people are sick of have other unavoidable issues preventing them from coming to class. The "free absence" for A+ students is different, as it is "no questions asked." And even then, note that even A+ students come to class only once a week (except for the first and last weeks). The attendance requirements for this course are in fact much lower than they are for most other courses. | |
| The books we have are mostly interesting! I appreciate choosing this course and reading these books. Prof and TAs are so kind and helpful. I don't have suggestions for improvement. It seems great! |
Yay! | ||
| Minimum stress: videos, rad, blogs, comments... simple patter every week. Exposes me to other cultures, historical reference. |
Some books are difficult, but that's my issue. | I agree that some books are difficult (and we start with one of the more difficult ones), but to be honest I already see you guys increasingly comfortable with them. You are learning! 🙂 | |
| Wide variety of texts! Really good novel selection. | Perhaps, class can be more dynamic? More active learning... Perhaps different prompts to holistically explore (or "unpack") the text as opposed to one-themed driven text discussions. Consider adding Central American authors to course syllabus! 🙂 Please and thank you! |
I will certainly think about varying the structure of the class discussions. (I do try to at present, but can try to do so more!) As for Central American authors... I'm not against them in this class, but there are also at least a couple in another course I have taught! | |
| It creates discipline by making consistency a requirement. The course ensures gradual progress through incremental small taks that are spread out over long periods of time. This also maintains a low-pressure environment where creativity thrives. |
I'm struggling to come up with a suggestion, but I guess we could have a class debate or something one one of the discussion questions for a particular text, just for fun. | I'm in favour of varying classroom activities, and I like debates. In fact, I did think of organizing a debate on Quimet this week... but I felt it might become too one-sided! | |
| It helps to write the blogs and read what others thought about the material. It helps me keep track of my understanding. I like that the class time we have together focusses on discussion, rather than lecturing. |
However, sometimes there aren't enough opportunities to discuss the topics I wanted to go over, and presenting points of group discussion can feel limited. | Heh, but I don't know what are the topics you wanted to go over... I am always open to people putting their hands up and offering up their thoughts! | |
| Lecture and conversation vids are very helpful and interesting. They're a good length and help understanding bigger themes. (I like watching them after reading and posting blogs.) The comments on blog posts are always given quickly, which I appreciate! These give an idea of whether or not I'm thinking in the "right" way or I've completely misunderstood. |
More books written by female authors! | OK, but you have to admit that the proportion of women authors is pretty high already! And by choosing your own adventure you can get to maximize the number of women you read... up to seven over the semester! | |
