Student Evaluations for Course Modification
As indicated throughout this section, using multiple evaluation elements is the best way to decide on challenges in our courses, however I find that student evals are minimal in many cases. With a 20-30% (or lower) student eval rate it is hard to make course modifications as there is such a small percentage responding.
If I see the same insights over several terms, changes may be made, however it is unfortunate that the students that do take the time to do their evals are in very diverse groups [that I have seen], they are the students who completely enjoyed being in the course or those that did not. Either way, few "middle-roaders" get involved so it is hard to base changes on this in a term by term basis.
Has anyone discovered a sure fire way of getting students to fill out their evals?
Giselle,
Asking for student formative feedback throughout the course helps students think more carefully (and typically remember more) about the end of course survey. Thanks for your input.
I believe that often times, much like instructors, students simply forget to complete the surveys. A few reminders along with a possible link being made readily accessible might encourage students. Those reminders should be timely, in that, you want to remind the students about the surveys during a "lull" in the classroom rather than at a time when assignments are due. You may also let the students know that feedback is taken seriously when planning courses.
Karen,
Be very careful NOT to become a 24-7 online instructor. You have a life too and you deserve that time for yourself and/or family. Set limits, communicate them clearly and stick with them. Thanks!
I find myself working more hours as well. I am motivated when I see that the students respond to my outreach and that in itself makes me want to work even longer hours. I do need to take a day out of the week for no work, but I find that hard to do. Emails are always there to answer and students can get frustrated.
Jeanice,
I ask for their formative input and make edits to the course as the course is going on if that's what they prefer. Once they understand their input is taken seriously, they are more likely to complete the end of course evaluation. Works for me. Thanks for your input.
Unless something is tied to their evaluation, such as not releasing a final grade, it's next to impossible to get all of them to fill out the evaluation. You have to try stressing to them the importance of their opinion is in the continued development of the class.
Patricia,
Interesting. I'm wondering. . .if a student was failing the course and then took the "final," could he/she pass? Was the final that much of a percentage of their grade? Thanks!
It is unusual, but I recently wrote a new course and really needed detailed feedback on student assessment of the content, so the final exam was a detailed assessment by the student of what worked, what didn't by module. It got me 100% engagement, and the students liked that I put a high value on their input (final).
I know I can't do that very often, but it worked out great for this course and gave me just what I needed - really good data on how to improve the course.
Karen,
We all get in that catch 22 every once in awhile. Keep moving forward and believe in change. ;-) Take care.
As indicated in my previous responses, there is no flexibility for the instructor, only the students at one school and honestly I find myself spending more time in that one school than combined in my other 2-3, unfortunately that one school is the only one that almost guarantees classes. BIG catch 22 for me as I love what I do, but it is slowly becoming a chose due to this one school. :-(
Karen,
You really need to take time for yourself. You should not be a 24/7 instructor. Put in the syllabus when you will and will not be checking email and providing feedback and stick with it. Take a day for yourself. Also, can you make things due at 5:00 p.m. instead of midnight or whenever you may be having them due? This save you some evening time. Hope these are helpful tips.
Broderick and Karen,
We do have to be a bit convincing some times, but once they realize that we take their input seriously and want their input, they tend to provide more input. Thanks!
I am...6-7 days a week a minimum of 14 hours a day... I can only do what I can do. :-(
Karen,
I agree with you because students do not see how important their evaluations are. However, it is our duty to convince them to take the evaluations in order to make them accountable on the future changes the course needs. Things change constantly and courses need to change as well.
Karen,
Keep trying to get more and more each term. Sounds like you are doing a lot at this point and time. Thanks!
Donald,
Some of our instructors to provide extra credit at a minimal level to complete the course evaluations. Others simply ask for feedback throughout the course and make course edits if they can and continue to tell students how much their input is appreciated and remind students several times to complete the evaluations. Keep working at it. ;-)
As indicated in a previous response, the challenge with first term is not everyone remains in class so even though I promote doing evals like crazy (its in my weekly chat, posted in announcements and I send an email to remind the students) first term is tough.
My math courses, which are students who have been around for a while, have a much better eval rate.
kam
Wow! 70%! I don't believe I've ever had a 70% return rate for course evaluations. I like your suggestion for asking for feedback through out the course. I suspect that one of the reasons for a low return rate is that they are conducted at the end of class and students are either to busy finishing up their work or they are done and don't want to be bothered with another task. Perhaps providing some kind of credit might encourage them?
Donnie Burnette
Karen,
I find that asking students for formative feedback throughout the semester gets them engaged and then they are more likely to complete the final course evaluation because they see that I care about their thoughts. Thanks for your input.
