The questions covered in this page are:

1. How do students like completing forms online?
2. Does it take longer for a student to use the online format?
3. What are the two biggest concerns for students in regard to evaluations?
4. Can online student ratings be used for mid-course student feedback?
5. What have students said about using an online student rating system?
6. How can the online student ratings be used to improve teaching?
7. Can I use different evaluations for each department?
8. Can I use different evaluations for my lab classes?
9. Is it possible to export the data to Microsoft Excel™ for further analysis?
10. Can instructors ask questions just for their classes?
11. What if I want to change questions each semester?

1. How do students like completing forms online?

   In a poll done by Brigham Young University according to the article "Y Puts Teacher Evaluations Online", by Laura Cantera in 22 Nov. 2002, 89% of students surveyed preferred the online format to a paper one.[TOP]

2. Does it take longer for a student to use the online format?

   No. According to the same article, it takes the average student 3 minutes per evaluation, or about 15 minutes for ALL of their instructors.[TOP]

3. What are the two biggest concerns for students about evaluations?

   Research at Murdoch in 2000 by Ballantyne indicates a primary concern for students has nothing to do with the survey itself, but whether or not the information is actually used. It was suggested in the study, that a policy should be made about informing subsequent classes about the changes that were made as a result of previous evaluations. The second biggest concern was student confidentiality. According to Murdoch, students were worried that their comments could be traced back to them. This concern was also echoed by David L. Robbins, a professor at Columbia Business School, who said that Columbia had to scrap their in-house evaluation system due to confidentiality concerns.[TOP]

4. Can online student ratings be used for mid-course student feedback?

   Yes, it is possible to deliver two evaluation forms, one at the midpoint of a semester and one at the end. The advantage of this system is to provide instructors with feedback so that they have the ability to adjust their teaching methodology mid-course if they so deem. [TOP]

5. What have students said about using an online student rating system?

   In a recent pilot, many students said they liked the online system because it was efficient, convenient, and easy to use. They also mentioned advantages such as: saves class time; anonymity of responses; not rushed, more time to consider answers; typing responses is easier and takes less time; students are more apt to write comments online; students who miss class can still respond; saves paper; more space to write comments; all instructors can be evaluated, even if they don't pass out the forms; typed comments are easier for faculty to read; and no one needs to take the forms to the Testing Center. [TOP]

6. How can the online student ratings be used to improve teaching?

   The online student rating form is designed to give instructors feedback on important areas of teaching and learning. Furthermore, the customized items provide the opportunity to receive specific feedback targeted at areas that are unique to an individual course or instructor. Results from both the standard and customized items may be combined with other information sources and methods (e.g., peer reviews, student/class interviews, mid-course student feedback) to give a more complete and accurate picture of teaching. It is important to keep track of feedback on teaching over time to better understand patterns and the influence of contextual variables in teaching. Research has shown that teaching improvement is greatly enhanced when instructors discuss student rating results with a colleague or faculty development consultant. Teaching can also be enhanced by utilizing the links to online resources that will be provided with the online student rating reports. [TOP]

7. Can I use different evaluations for each department?

   Yes. You can create a different evaluation based on each department. [TOP]

8. Can I use different evaluations for my lab classes?

   Of course! It is completely possible to have one evaluation for your mechanical engineering lectures, a different one for you mechanical engineering labs, another completely different evaluation for your electrical engineering lectures, and another one for your electrical engineering labs if you want!
   Obviously, we would recommend that many of the questions asked be the same throughout the university in order to conduct interdepartmental comparisons, but it is theoretically possible to have hundreds of different evaluations! [TOP]

9. Is it possible to export the data to Microsoft Excel™, Microsoft Word™, or PDF for further analysis?

   Yes. In just one click reports can be exported into Microsoft Excel™, Microsoft Word™, or PDF. [TOP]

10. Can instructors ask questions just for their classes?

    Yes, they have two options. They can ask a certain question set to all of the classes they teach, and/or they can ask a question to a specific class (i.e. "How did you like the music?" [TOP]

11. What if I want to change questions each semester?

    No problem. You can either pick up the phone or log on online and do it yourself. [TOP]

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1. Ballantyne, C. S. (2000). Why survey online? A practical look at issues in the use of the Internet for surveys in higher education. Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Evaluation Association, Honolulu, November 2000.