Critically Reflect on Your Course
When the semester is over, your real course editing work can begin. It’s the perfect opportunity to review the entirety of your course. Check out the class evaluations, student grades, and course statistics. Self-reflection is critical to future course success as well.
Ask Yourself
Review your time spent on the course and your instruction. Did you plan enough time in your schedule to dedicate to this course? Can you streamline your work flow in future semesters?
Review the course design from a content perspective. Does your content have any gaps? Are there new topics you could incorporate to boost students’ interest or provide a different perspective? Remember to be cognizant of the impact of content changes. Switching up readings, content, or assessments can greatly benefit the learner, but most—maybe all—of your course elements are not in a vacuum. Changing one element may necessitate changes in other areas as well. For example, if you switch out a reading, does any later course content reference that removed reading? Imagine your course elements as interconnected pieces of a structure. When one area is altered, it may require creative shifting in another.
Teaching is always a learning process.
Dr. Ye (Jane) He, UNCG Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education
Also review the course from an aesthetic point of view. Does it look the way you envisioned it? Is it easy to read and navigate? Are the pages pleasing to the eye?
Post-course is also an ideal time to review the tools you used, then research and integrate new technology or instructional methods that could enhance students’ learning.