CTE Home

In the Fall of 1998, 135 undergraduate students who served as University of Delaware Blue Hen Ambassadors were asked for their thoughts on what makes learning environments most effective for them  The summary of students' responses is based on the following two questions:

1. What do instructors do that helps your learning?
2. What do instructors do that hinders your learning?

1. Instructional: Students say that an active and dynamic environment is essential to facilitate their learning.  "Open discussion about the subject at hand is always more helpful than a straight lecture."  Discussions of material, structured group work, providing opportunities for giving specific feedback, and effectively utilizing media, are mentioned as methods of actively engaging students in the classroom.  Constructive feedback on homework and projects, study and review sessions, and opportunities for enrichment also contribute toward creating a more effective learning environment: "Accept different learning styles.  Mix things up a bit.  Vary teaching styles.  I learn a lot better by doing hands-on things and so enjoy when professors stop lecturing.  Give practical examples of the material we are learning.  Explain difficult things more than once and give examples."

 
2. Interpersonal: Students surveyed indicate that faculty respect for students is essential in creating an effective learning environment, "Treat us like young adults.  Talk to us like adults who are interested in what is going on.  Be enthusiastic and excited about the material.".  Also high on the list are sense of humor, and enthusiasm for the subject matter.  Lastly, students said, "Let us get to know you.  Bring your personality into class. I want to know who my professor is, so I can better understand how he or she sees things."

 
3. Organizational: The vast majority of input in this category focuses on clearly stated expectations.  Students state that a well designed, complete syllabus, and whenever possible, pre-printed lecture notes, are tools that allow them to apply themselves more effectively to learning the essential material, and not to playing, as one student put it, "The What Am I Thinking Game."  Include tips on how to approach reading the texts effectively.  Try to coordinate the lectures and readings so that the topics are related.  Here's a quote to keep in mind when preparing for your class: "Make expectations very clear.  Very hard classes are not as overwhelming if we know what is coming up throughout the semester."

For students' unedited responses to the survey questions contact the CTE for a copy of Students' Voices on Learning and Teaching.