Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF)

by | Dec 4, 2019 | Academy

Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF) has arrived at Harper, and faculty and students are recommending that YOU try it! This 3-minute video gives an overview of what SGIF is and how it can help you and your students: https://youtu.be/q0eJh-ayvqc

Pioneered at the University of Washington, SGIF is a voluntary, non-evaluative process for collecting feedback from your students on their experiences and perceptions of your course mid-way through the semester. In SGIF, a faculty peer conducts a 30-minute session in your classroom in which they ask your students to respond individually, in small groups, and as a whole class, to four questions about your course: 1) What helps your learning? 2) What hinders your learning? 3) What can the instructor do to improve your learning? and 4) What can you to do improve your learning? The faculty peer provides you with a confidential, written report shortly following the feedback session, allowing you and your students an opportunity to make positive changes. Learn more about SGIF.

See what Harper faculty and students who have experienced SGIF are saying:

  • “I would encourage my peers to try SGIF. The discussion the students have with another faculty member allows the students to think about what is working, what is not working and what can be done to help improve their learning experience. It helps them remember that they must take an active role in their own learning. That the discussion takes place during the semester rather than at the end, enables changes to be made that may help more students succeed.” Julie Ellefson-Kuehn, Chemistry
  • “I would definitely encourage any faculty who are considering SGIF to do it. It’s a great way to show students you care about their engagement in the course, and it’s also a nice way to see how you might be able to improve your teaching while a course is in progress.” Lisa Blaylock, Mathematics
  • “It was a great way to voice concerns and have the instructor listen and make adjustments.” Harper student
  • “After SGIF, I asked more questions when I did not entirely understand the material.” Harper student

Try out SGIF for yourself by attending an SGIF workshop this semester! After receiving training on the SGIF process, workshop participants will work in pairs to schedule and conduct an SGIF in-class feedback session in one another’s classes.

  • Three sessions to choose from:
    • Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Thursday, February 6, 2020, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Friday, February 7, 2020, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Location: Building F, Room F315
  • Facilitators: Michael Bates, Dean, Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education; Melissa Baysingar, Instructional Design Specialist; Stephanie Whalen, Academy Chair
  • CEUs: 0.4 (CEUs will be awarded to all faculty that participate in the workshop, all post-workshop activities, and complete a survey by April 17, 2020)
  • Register

Can’t make one of the workshop times but would still like to have an SGIF session conducted in your class this semester?

Request a trained SGIF facilitator for your class (sign up by Friday, February 7 –  limited spots available). While you won’t be eligible for CEUs, you will get all of the powerful feedback that comes from the SGIF process.

Submit a SGIF Request

Questions? Please contact the Academy at 847.925.6174, academy@harpercollege.edu.