Valuable Critics: Students

Today I met with a number of my most valuable critics, students.  I said to them, "I want to teach you better, what do you suggest?"  They gave me the following advice:

• Break it down.
• Talk slower.
• Use 5th grade words (not college words)
• Give shorter packets, but make them challenging.
• Don't "cold call," instead say "Would you like to answer this question?"
• Give students a heads-up for questioning by saying, "I want everyone to be alert and ready for questions.
• Check in.

After that I practiced using their suggestions as I taught that small group. They agreed that I was off to a good start and asked when we could learn like that again. I told them that we'd try to work together a few times each week. They were happy.