Portfolios

• Much creative coursework includes a portfolio as a capstone or thesis at the end of course. Portfolios allow students to display what they learned throughout the course and how they applied different learning techniques over a period of time. Typically, students show the process from beginning to end, sometimes offering critiques of their own work and how it improved. Many students choose to keep portfolios as a way to show prospective employers what they learned, how they grew as a student and how their skills would add value to the company.
  
  

Interviews

• Interviewing students after going through a course gives educators instant feedback. Teachers can develop a set of questions and ask each student all of the same questions, or deviate from the list, if necessary; teachers can then ask follow-up questions to get more in-depth answers. Interviews also allow teachers to read body language, look for hesitation in a students' answer and analyze how students put together their thoughts. To take the interviewing process further, teachers can also ask questions of other teachers to find out how they apply what they learn to other coursework. In the setting of vocational education where a course teaches students a function or process, teachers can interview employers to find out the effectiveness of a student's education.
  
  

Surveys

• Surveys allow students to fill out forms about their experience in the educational process. Teachers can first develop a list of questions that address the goals and objectives of the course and give the surveys to students, allowing them to fill out answers on a numbered scale. Some surveys also include short-answer questions. Surveys give instant feedback and allow educators to score them and use the data for a larger analysis of the course. Surveys do contain drawbacks; some students may not answer truthfully if their name is on the form, instructors cannot ask follow-up questions and teachers can write questions to get the answers they want.
  
  

Learning Journals

• Learning journals give students the opportunity to write about what they learn throughout a course in written form. Students can write about their triumphs, success and about the concepts and methods they struggle with over a period of time. Learning journals gives educators insight into the minds of students that may not be very willing to discuss in a face-to-face meeting. For younger students, learning journals also allow students to practice writing; teachers can also use technology such as a blog to let students post their thoughts and feelings, so the whole class can read.