How has the semester been so far? by Aris Winger https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm What have you done differently? Did you do what you said you would do? What’s been the biggest challenge? en-us 2022-10-24 17:20:05 UTC 2025-10-16 15:31:22 UTC hello@padlet.com Mixed https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361091518 The in-person interaction has been great and students have been much better about communicating with me. That being said, students are still not putting in the work that is necessary... on one recent exam, the average was a 46%, which is one of the lowest averages I've ever had. The test is one that I had given previously, but I removed one problem, so it was actually easier :(]]> 2022-10-28 20:09:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361091518 wild roller coaster of situations and emotions pouring out of our students https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361091725 2022-10-28 20:09:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361091725 I would agree with "Mixed." I'm enjoying my classes and my students, but some of them are really struggling. stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361091891 2022-10-28 20:09:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361091891 Been more available to students in lots of ways (time, emotionally...) https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092137 some of it is reevaluating boundaries -- which ones do i really need? and recognizing how much what's going on in a student's life affects their academics]]> 2022-10-28 20:10:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092137 Great, with some good energy in the classroom, but busy and a bit chaotic at time. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092186 2022-10-28 20:10:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092186 being really flexible with deadlines gondree https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092221 and its killing me, and not sure its working for students]]> 2022-10-28 20:10:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092221 lots more make up encouragement and opportunities https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092274 2022-10-28 20:10:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092274 Using Padlet (haha I am such an evangelist for it right now). Also doing more surveys and getting feedback from them in general. Also, trying to think of each of them as individuals helps me be kind to them. stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092365 2022-10-28 20:10:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092365 I added test corrections https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092664 2022-10-28 20:10:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092664 A roller coaster https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092745 It started out smooth with communicative and focused students, then they seemed to "fall apart" all at once in week 8 and have not recovered.]]> 2022-10-28 20:11:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092745 Pretty good, it's been so nice to develop connections with students. I had some amazing feedback from students saying how comfortable they were in my classroom https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092749 2022-10-28 20:11:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092749 flexible attendance policies ==> low attendance https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092811 2022-10-28 20:11:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092811 On the one hand, I'm being way more strict with some things - I am not allowing quiz make-ups after the deadline. BUT when students communicate with me, I am happy to be flexible with other deadlines. Holding them accountable but also meeting them half-way. stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092909 2022-10-28 20:11:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361092909 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093033 how to motivate students who have been doing poorly

]]> 2022-10-28 20:11:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093033 So much more engagement. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093199 It is both exhausting and exhilarating. ]]> 2022-10-28 20:11:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093199 I can't find my glasses at the moment, so it's hard to read the padlet haha (this is a me problem, not something I need anyone else to try and fix). stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093311 2022-10-28 20:11:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093311 Attendance has been very low (both on Zoom and in person), and I’m not sure how to convince students to come to class. I received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the mid-semester survey - mosts students said they love the class and that the way I’m teaching it is working well for them. So why aren’t more of them coming to class? I’ve started doing a little incentive on the last day of the week (where I give them some clues about what will be on the next exam). Maybe it will just take some time for word about that to get out. It’s a bit disheartening, though. stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093530 2022-10-28 20:12:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093530 I added test corrections, pushed back some deadlines, and encourage student hours or making appointments with me. The students who are struggling are not making use of these opportunities. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093716 2022-10-28 20:12:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361093716 Agree with the "roller coaster" comment stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361094163 2022-10-28 20:13:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361094163 Trying to communicate with struggling students, who do not respond and express "they just need to pass the class" and don't care about their grade https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361094501 2022-10-28 20:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361094501 Here are the questions I ased on the midterm survey: stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361098544 How are things going for you this semester, in general? Feel free to share anything you want about this class, or other classes, or whatever! 


Are you satisfied with your performance in this class so far this semester? Do feel that your grade in Canvas reflects the amount of effort that you have put in? 


What is working well for you this semester in this class?
Is there anything you would like me to do (or do differently) to help support your success this semester? 


I would love to hear your thoughts specifically about the lab sessions.
  • Are you enjoying the labs?
  • Does your lab instructor promote a welcoming and safe atmosphere in the lab classroom? 
  • Do the activities help you to better understand course material? 


Is there any other feedback you would like to share with me about your experience in lab? 


Puppies or kittens? (Or both? Or something else entirely)? 


Anything else you'd like me to know right now? 

]]> 2022-10-28 20:20:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361098544 I didn't make that comment, but I think Padlet helps me be more available, as I am honest in my responses to their honesty in the padlet. (And yeah, sometimes it's light, and sometimes it's definitely not. But we get to work through things together). stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361103320 2022-10-28 20:27:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361103320 I don't, but always wondered if I should https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361110682 2022-10-28 20:40:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361110682 I do one the night before every exam https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361110778 2022-10-28 20:40:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361110778 I do one. It helps a lot. In the style of Jeopardy. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361110890 2022-10-28 20:40:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361110890 I did for the first exam, but after that let students know that they can use those same strategies to form study groups or study on their own. There is a study guide, though. stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111099 2022-10-28 20:41:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111099 yes gondree https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111132 and release full exams from past semesters, and we practice in class, and i release videos]]> 2022-10-28 20:41:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111132 I usually do these before the final and sometimes do them before major exams.... it often depends on how much time we have in the semester (are we behind or not) https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111145 2022-10-28 20:41:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111145 I usually hold a review over zoom (class is in person) the evening before. I always get very high attendance. https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111204 2022-10-28 20:41:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111204 I usually don't, but I post a ton of old exams/resources https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111347 2022-10-28 20:41:27 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111347 I also give my lab TAs the study guide with answers, so they can do a 15 or 20 minute review in lab before the exam. stjohnw1 https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111702 2022-10-28 20:42:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111702 My classes are split into 3 or 4 'units' - I do a review at the end of each - it is student directed - they ask me questions - it is great for us to review but also expand/go deeper if they want. I record all my lectures so those review are also recorded and posted. I saw a huge improvement from that. My averages on exams are 70-80% (upper division specialty courses) - it's NOT teaching to the test so don't jump to that ;) https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111743 2022-10-28 20:42:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361111743 I have tried so many things... https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361112359 I have provided a question based study guide (aka know how to answer these questions), a words & concepts list (all this vocabulary is on the exam, know how to interpret it), example questions via homework, example questions during lecture, I have read the entire exam out loud to the class, and I have provided no review - the range of scores is nearly the same regardless of what I do or do not do]]> 2022-10-28 20:43:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361112359 Part of the reason I'm not doing more in-class review is that it seems like a bit of a waste of time the way I want it to happen. I want them to read the study guide and come prepared with questions. But they don't. And I'm not going to prepare a review for them . . . that's what my lectures are for, right? https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361113512 2022-10-28 20:44:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ariswinger/o3rqj98dtsg17rjm/wish/2361113512