The month of March signals a midway point through the academic term or semester for many students and faculty. This time can also be seen as a bit of a slump due to many factors including everyone being worn down by winter weather, packed schedules, and springing forward thanks to Daylight Savings Time. However, this academic midpoint can also be a time for faculty and students to step back, take a breath, and reflect on their performance to date.

We’ve shared several blog posts recently focusing on active learning in the classroom. Have you incorporated some of these strategies or activities into the courses you currently teach? If so, have you asked your students how they view the changes? Most often, course evaluations are conducted at the end of a term and don’t provide an opportunity to make adjustments that could help the students who submitted the feedback. Laura B. McGrath recently wrote a piece for Inside Higher Ed titled “Mid-Semester Evaluations” that offers some great suggestions and resources that can help obtain feedback from students and use that feedback to make adjustments now…not after a course has concluded. Also keep in mind that a midway check doesn’t have to focus solely on the course or the instructor. As part of this exercise, also include an opportunity for students to evaluate their performance.

How often do you ask for feedback? Take a moment and respond to our poll below.