Using Student Response Folders to Close the Loop

Ozalle M Toms, Ph.D.

University of Wisconsin –Whitewater, Department of Special Education

Introduction

Creating an engaging, meaningful learning

environment should be the goal of all faculty and

staff. Having an awareness of students’ learning

preferences and their future career goals aids

faculty, academic staff and instructors in creating

meaningful discussions and classroom activities.

Assessing students’ knowledge of content is also

vital to the learning process and assists in planning

lectures and activities with students’ needs in mind.

Giving students personalized feedback including

suggestions for improvement, with explanations is

a valuable component of the process. Also

providing multiple avenues for students to ask

questions reduces students’ apprehensions and

increases engagement in the classroom.

Conclusion

Student response folders are easy to use and a good

method to assess students’ needs, plan instruction and

activities, track attendance and manage assignments.

It takes about 15 minutes to check 30 folders.

Sample of Blank Folder Insert

Other Uses

Keeping Track of Attendance

Distributing Material to Students

Collecting Assignments from Students

Helping Students with Organization

Addressing Students' Academic, Attendance or

Behavioral Concerns

Reminding Students of Upcoming Assignments

Actual Folder Insert

Methods

At the beginning of the semester students are

asked to complete the student information sheet.

The procedures for how to use the folder are

discussed: • Sign at the end of every session

• Rate your understanding of session’s content (must

ask a question if rating is 3 or less)

• Ask any questions you may have