Chapter 2: Providing Feedback

Microsoft Word is a common program that many students are at least somewhat familiar with, and that all teachers have used at some point during their careers. I use Microsoft Word every day, and find that the Track Changes and Insert Comments features are extremely helpful. I implement these features when writing my own college essays for my principal program, and have seen how useful they are in editing papers. I think that these two features would be of great use when my students are working on papers in math class and science class. As they write short essays, or even create brochures or other documents, this feature can allow me (or other students) to insert comments as to how they might improve their writing assignments. This provides them with immediate feedback, whether positive or critical, and helps them to improve their skills. This would also enable the students to practice critiquing others and working as "editors."

I also find that Classroom Response Systems are extremely useful. My campus has 3 sets of "clickers" available for use by the teachers. I tend to check a set of clickers out for my classroom when we are preparing for tests/quizzes. It's very easy to enter questions into the database, and compose the type of review or game that you are wanting to use. As we review for our tests/quizzes, students typically have their own "clicker" which they use to answer the questions. I always time the students, which gives them an opportunity to compete with one another. I really like the fact that Classroom Response Systems allow a teacher to keep students' names hidden from view. It eliminates the fears and uncomfortableness of the students when they know that other students cannot see how they responded to a question. When the reviews are finished, students love seeing how the class did as a whole, as well as how they did individually. Sometimes, I tell the classes that if the group reaches at least an 85% passing rate on the review then they can have freetime the following day. This always results in students encouraging other students to do their best. There are times when the students will even provide hints to classmates in hopes that they will respond correctly. Another feature I love about this type of program is that there is no grading to be done by me. The Classroom Response System grades everything once the review/game/quiz is complete. You can print out class averages, student averages, or even a summary of how students performed on particular questions. It's great!