Drawing from the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Plus 1 approach—making small, manageable changes to enhance learning—consider how you can incrementally integrate student voice into your courses to foster continuous improvement. One effective method is engaging students at the midterm. This not only gives you valuable insights but also signals to students that their experiences and perspectives matter. By listening to student feedback and demonstrating responsiveness, you build a collaborative classroom environment where both teaching and learning thrive.
Why Midterm Feedback Matters
Reflection on teaching practices shouldn’t be reserved for end-of-semester evaluations. Instead, consider midterm anonymous surveys as a way to empower students to be active participants, not passive recipients, of their education (Quaglia & Corso, 2014). These surveys provide fresh perspectives for instructors to reflect on and adjust their teaching strategies in real-time.
Essential Questions to Ask Your Students:
- What activities are currently enhancing your learning?
- Are there activities we’re doing that hinder your learning?
- What activities could we add to improve your learning experience?
- Any additional comments, questions, or feedback about the course?
The Impact of Student Voice
When students see that their feedback leads to meaningful changes, they become more engaged and invested in their learning. Using the Plus 1 approach, instructors can implement small, targeted adjustments in the second half of the course. Sharing with students how their feedback influenced these changes helps build mutual respect and trust—foundations for a thriving classroom community.
By intentionally incorporating student voice, both instructors and students can flourish together in a dynamic, responsive learning environment.