Highlights. Lowlights. Insights.
One of the ways to end your class with a big reflection !!!
Reflection vs Feedback. Which on is better?
I normally do not ask for feedback from the students at the end of the session.
Generally for three reasons.
First, I believe students’ learning reflection is more valuable for me as a teacher, than their feedback.
Second, most feedback that I’ve received are either wishy washy suggestions or complaints about the things I have no control over (Like, class timings, curriculum from the university, assignment deadlines, etc). Meaning, students either switch to advice givers or complainers. Not useful for me.
Three, reflection is also a form of feedback that informs me how well they learned, or did not learn the important concepts of my course. This is more useful for me.
Again, it’s a judgment call. Some teachers might like feedback. I prefer reflections.
Highlights. Lowlights. Insights.
There are a few formats that I have used to collect reflections from the students (or from workshop participants).
The 321 Reflection
The Plus, Minus, Exclamation, Question
Clarity, Confusion, Action
Highlights. Lowlights. Insights.
All of them have different format but similar intent.
The Highlights. Lowlights. Insights. has a simple prompt. I instruct students to take a bunch of sticky notes, and then quietly reflect for around 10 mins thinking about all the learning moments through out the session. The highs, the lows, and the moments that were meaningful for them. Then, write them down on the sticky notes, and paste them on the board.
I leave the class for 10 mins.
Reflection on Reflection
Eventually, after sending off the students, then it’s time for me to sit down quietly, drink some more coffee, and read through the sticky notes one by one.
I start from the Insights column, then to the Lowlights, and finally to the Highlights. Again, there’s no logic. I just prefer it that way.
I reflect on their reflections, and write down some more notes.
Alright, thank you for reading this post.
If you are a teacher, please share how do you end your sessions/semesters?
Happy teaching and learning.