Reflections on the Formative Feedback

I’ve asked one of my colleagues, a lecturer (who is using a wiki in anatomy) and a 1^st year maths lecturer to give me feedback.  Many of the concerns echo my own, though they did suggest avenues and publications to explore.  Requesting the feedback has allowed me to access the knowledge and experiences of others.   

A crucial comment relates to the complexities of group work more especially at first year level.  I was also asked how I would deal with the issue of weak vs strong students in the class with regards to their participation levels.  A suggestion to address this, and one I fully agree with, is that the students need clear instructions and template for what it is they are required to do.  Much scaffolding will be required.  We will also have to “sell” the importance of this activity to the students.  This will have to be on going.   What is important here is that the team involved gets to know the students as people not as student no. xxxyyy.

The lecturer who is currently using a wiki fully agreed with the learning problem.  She did question whether the background was as a result of personal experience or literature based.  My response to this would be both.  Based on her personal experience she advised me to consider the ‘yellow card system’ as one of the facilitation tools.  I will be exploring this and other online facilitation techniques. 

All in all the prototype receive positive comments but also highlighted pitfalls.  Importantly though, it provided me with additional avenues for improving my model.

The comments, I feel, also highlights the following:

•  Detailed exploration of facilitation and identifying training requirements
• The need for alignment of assessment activities
• The need for a pilot program prior to implementation.

 
I am still awaiting a response from the maths lecturer and will add that in due course.