1. Mid-semester Interviews
Mara Evans, PhD
Lecturer
UNC Biology Department

2. Mid-Semester Interview: Why?
I want to know what my students think about the class.
I have time left in the semester to make changes.
I want to discuss alternative strategies with an instructional expert.

3. Mid-semester Interview: What is it?
The Steps
The Participants
Instructor’s or Class Time Required
1. The Interview: Teaching consultant conducts classroom interview
Teaching consultant, students
(instructor not present)
15-20 minutes of class time
2. Compiling the results
Teaching consultant
3. The consultation
Teaching consultant and instructor
~1hr
4. Follow-up
Instructor and students
~10-15 minutes

4. 1. The Interview
Teaching Consultant Facilitates Interview in Classroom
INDIVIDUALS:
Students provide
written feedback
2. SMALL GROUPS:
Students brainstorm
action items
3. CLASS:
Students share
action items
4. INDIVIDUALS:
Vote on action items

5. Agree Disagree No Opinion
Action Items
Agree
Disagree
No Opinion
1. Lab 1 could be conducted more slowly to facilitate absorption of terminology and bird [anatomy]
79%
21%
2. Open lab periods for review (weekends/evenings)
86% 4%
3. Shorter slideshow, in order to spend more time with specimens.
36%
43%
4. More background information for conservation discussion.
64% 7%
29%
5. When holding a discussion instructor should move to the front of the room, rather than sitting in the back.
14%
6. More space for species notes in the workbook (e.g. see lab 1)

6. 3. The Consultation  Confidential Consultation Instructor Consultant+
REFLECTION
DISCUSS
SUGGESTIONS
INSTRUCTOR’S
STRENGTHS
(via students)
IDENTIFY
FEASIBLE CHANGE
SUGGESTIONS
+ DATA

7. 4. The Follow Up Thank students for their feedback
Let them know what changes
to expect (even small ones!)
Let them know what you cannot change and WHY!
Thank students for their feedback