It’s the middle of the semester. You’re sitting in class, completely lost, but you just can’t find the courage to raise your hand and stop a 500 person class to ask a question. Whether the professor is going too fast, you can’t understand the professor or the material the professor is presenting just doesn’t make sense, you manage to find yourself confused.
Trust me, I have been there, and so have our fellow classmates. It’s not easy walking up to a professor after class to give feedback or to provide some advice, and I completely understand that because I don’t feel comfortable doing it either. As the Academic Affairs Committee chair for the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), our undergraduate student government, it is my goal to try to find solutions for those students who do not feel comfortable approaching a teacher. I have had conversations with associate deans, professors, ASMSU vice presidents, ASMSU general assembly members and our constituents in order to find a better way to change the dynamic.
It is clear that something must be done regarding feedback for classes. Almost every class requires you to complete SIRs before receiving your grades at the end of the semester; however, SIRs doesn’t help you while you are still in that class. To fix this problem, ASMSU encourages professors to implement a form of mid-semester formative feedback, which would provide an anonymous way for students to give feedback to their professors while they are still their students. By doing so, it will better both the classroom environment and professor-student communication.
It would not only be quick and easy for professors to perform, but providing mid-semester feedback would also allow students who are not comfortable with face-to-face conversations a way to anonymously voice their concerns. Professors should seriously consider implementing a form of mid-semester feedback into their curriculum. This can be as easy as incorporating a few iClicker questions at the beginning of class or providing a few questions for students to take home and fill out.
This is not to criticize professors or the job they do. We, as students, appreciate the hard work and energy professors put into their lectures. This idea can only strengthen the classroom environment, something I believe every professor would like to see. I encourage them to take part in this initiative and help strengthen the classroom environment.
Jason Porter is a political science sophomore and serves as ASMSU’s Academic Affairs Committee chair.
