A question of the ages. We can typically answer this question (facetiously) with: “to cancel class”, or “they just want to know what is on the exam.” But in all seriousness, this question has been asked of many students of late. It actually surprises me that students do take this seriously, and if given the opportunity, they express some very real and insightful responses.

What I am about to share with you are responses students gave to survey questions about this very topic. Note: these are not students at NMC, but I believe there is very little difference between students across the country. So here goes, this is what students really want:

• They think introductory courses are too broad. They would rather have depth within a subject. It makes it more meaningful. Perhaps more topic-based courses.
• More emphasis on problem-solving. In a world of constant change, why are we still trying to memorize everything?
• More essay questions on exams. Stop testing on minute details. (I know this one is hard for even me to believe that students would say more essays, please)
• More connections across disciplines.
• More interdisciplinary courses.
• A greater discussion of the curriculum as a whole. For instance: why do you need this course, and how it all fits together.
• Be more explicit about what you (instructors) want students to get out of the course and why it’s necessary to know those things.

That last bullet really hits home, and what writing good learning outcomes is all about. But not just that… letting students know why it’s so important that you created an outcome for the course. I think it’s great for students to ask you to justify your learning outcomes. Even if they don’t, I have already justified them in my own head.

I think it is very meaningful to know what students want and expect. I also think it is useful to keep asking these types of questions. Even of our own students. I am pretty sure we will be pleasantly surprised at how much our students really want to be challenged (as long as there is a reason).