Suggestion 124. Have students fill out a background questionnaire

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Relate to students as individuals

• Invite students to share knowledge and experiences

• Learn something about the students' backgrounds

Having students fill out a brief questionnaire describing their backgrounds and interests.

A faculty member in political science, for example, asks students to describe their most memorable experience that is relevant to the subject matter of the course. A faculty member who teaches an area course asks about students' travel experiences or knowledge of the people of this area through relations, friends, or through vicarious reading, etc.

Typically such questionnaires include information on the student's major, prerequisite or related courses taken, job experiences, career plans, and so forth. Faculty members use this information to understand their students and to call on those whose experiences may give them a different perspective.

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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