Peter Elbow, "Writing for Learning, Not Just for Demonstrating Learning"

Laurie McMillin, "Ways to Respond More Effectively to Student Writing"

Len Podis, "Responding to Student Writing: The Teacher as Constructive Reader"

Nancy Sommers, "Responding to Student Writing," College Composition and Communication 33:2 (May 1982): 148-146. [JSTOR]

Midterm Evaluations

Here are a variety of models you can use . They are largely based on the work of the Committee for the Support of Teaching at Brandeis University and on Wilbert J. McKeachie and Marilla Svincki, McKeachie's Teaching Tips: Strategies, Research, and Theory for College and University Teachers (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006).]

Be sure to include some introductory language, such as:

I would like you to complete the following midterm assessment for use in instructional analysis and improvement for this course. A midterm assessment is more likely to affect how this particular course is being taught than one administered at the end of the semester. Please try to be both thoughtful and candid in your written responses so as to maximize the value of feedback.

You comments should reflect that type of teaching you think is best for this particular course and your particular learning style. Try to assess each issue independently rather than letting your overall impression of the instructor determine each individual section. If you need additional space please use the back of this sheet.

A. Two Question Approach

1. Please identify those aspects of the course you have found most useful or valuable for learning.

2. What suggestions would you make to me for improving the course?

B. Four Question Approach

1. What aspects of the course have been useful for your learning so far?

2. Is there anything about how the course is organized that gets in the way of your learning?

3. Are there any aspects of the course (lecture style, content, reading, discussions, etc.) that you think I should consider modifying?

4. Is there anything that you need to do to improve your learning in this class?

C. Eight Question Approach

Please assess my specific classroom behaviors for use in instructional analysis and improvement for this course.

1. Clarity of teaching
2. Effectiveness of teaching style
3. Course organization and structure
4. Pacing of course presentations and activities
5. Clarity and appropriateness of course assignments and grading criteria
6. Quality of interpersonal relations between you and me
7. Quality of interpersonal relations between you and the other students
8. Please identify those aspects of the course you have found most useful or valuable for learning.

D. Ten Question Approach (Brandeis University Committee for the Support of Teaching

E. 39 Question Approach (Brandeis University)

¶ Michele Marincovich, "Using Student Feedback to Improve Teaching," in Peter Seldin, Pace University, and Associates, Changing Practices in Evaluating Teaching: A Practical Guide to Improved Faculty Performance, and Promotion/Tenure Decisions (Anker Publishing Company, 1999).

¶ Some commentary and eight examples of midterm evaluations from Carleton College

¶ "Using a Mid-Term Evaluation to Give Students Responsibility for the Course," Nancy Loevinger, Graduate Instructor, Department of English, University of Virginia, Teaching Resource Center.