Informative Or Worthless: Using Student Evaluations to Fine-Tune the Laboratory Experience.

The Introductory Soil Science course at the University of Tennessee at Martin is a sophomore level course that includes a two hour laboratory each week. Student feedback has been important to the development of activities used in the laboratory accompanying the class. Starting with a base of activities that include physical analysis, water movement, field evaluations and soil fertility we have tried incorporating new aspects and technologies into the laboratory experience over the years. This presentation will look at the evolution of our laboratory curriculum over the past 15 years as we have moved from a standard set of activities to exercises that highlight aspects of our local environment and current events. We will also look at the development of our review document and how it has changed in response to student feedback. One change that has occurred during this period is a switch from using paper soil surveys to the online web soil survey. Student reactions to this change have indicated that they are learning more and enjoy using the new technology.  Feedback driven revisions to the laboratory have helped to keep the laboratory a relevant, informative and worthwhile experience for the students and instructors.