Course Survey's

Message to Faculty

Student feedback is crucial to the success of our institution.  Students are learning how to evaluate properly, but you can still gather valuable insight from the information they provide. Below are some reasons their input can improve the quality of education at Utah Tech.

Continuous Improvement: Student feedback through course surveys provides faculty with valuable insights into their teaching methods, course content, and overall effectiveness. This feedback can help them identify areas where improvements can be made, ultimately leading to better teaching, and learning experiences.
Enhanced Communication: Encouraging students to provide feedback fosters open communication between faculty and students. It demonstrates that faculty are interested in hearing students’ thoughts and are willing to adjust based on their input, which can improve the overall learning environment.

Accountability: Course surveys help faculty remain accountable for their teaching quality. They serve as a form of evaluation that ensures instructors are meeting the expectations of their students and the institution.

Professional Development: Constructive feedback from students can guide faculty in their professional development. It allows them to identify areas where they can grow as educators, develop new teaching strategies, and stay current with best practices in their field. In addition, these surveys are part of the RPT process.

Student-Centered Approach: Encouraging course surveys reflect a commitment to a student-centered approach to education. It demonstrates that faculty prioritize the needs and perspectives of their students, making it more likely that students will have a positive learning experience.

Institutional Improvement: Aggregate survey data can be used by institutions to assess the overall quality of education and identify trends or areas where systemic changes may be needed. Faculty participation in this process contributes to the institution’s continuous improvement efforts.

Recognition and Rewards: Positive feedback from students can also contribute to faculty members’ professional recognition and advancement. It can serve as evidence of their effective teaching practices.

In summary, faculty should want students to take course surveys because it benefits both the faculty and the students. It leads to improved teaching quality, fosters a positive learning environment, and supports the overall mission of delivering high-quality education.

What value does it give me?

You might wonder, “Why should I participate in the course surveys?” It’s possible that you may feel your feedback isn’t noticed or valued by the faculty. However, that’s not the case at all. Your input is crucial to faculty members. As a student, you possess a unique opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of education quality at Utah Tech. You are the one who directly experiences the courses, and you are best positioned to assess whether the material aligns with your educational objectives.

These surveys provide you with a platform to express your thoughts and offer valuable insights on various aspects of your courses, such as teaching methods, course content, and overall satisfaction. Your feedback is invaluable in ensuring that the learning experience continually evolves to meet your needs and expectations.

The surveys are confidential, so your professors will not be aware of who provided the which responses. So be careful not to address any personal aspects of your interactions in the class.

Tips for Taking the Survey

1. Start by understanding why course surveys are important. They help instructors and institutions improve the quality of education.
2. Keep in mind that the survey is confidential. Do not provide details that will indicate who you or a peer is. The same applies to courses with multiple instructors. The surveys are set up to allow you to give feedback to each individual instructor for the instructor questions.
3. Take time to give complete and honest feedback on the course. Think about your own behavior in the class, do not discount the quality of the education and instruction if you did not put your best effort into the class or tried to find ways around giving a full effort. Remember grades are earned not given, therefore grades should not be a reflection on the course survey.
4. If you liked certain aspects of the course, explain why. If you have concerns or suggestions for improvement, be specific and constructive in your comments.
5. Think back on your entire experience in the course. Consider aspects like the instructor’s teaching methods, course materials, assessments, workload, and your overall learning experience.
6. Keep your feedback focused on the course, curriculum, and teaching methods. Avoid personal attacks or disrespectful comments about the instructor or your peers.
7. Do not forget to mention aspects of the course that worked well for you. Positive feedback can be just as valuable as constructive criticism.
8. Be clear and concise in your responses. Avoid overly long or rambling comments, as they may be less effective in conveying your message. Use proper grammar. If the comment is riddled with poor grammar the entire comment will be less impactful.
9. Make sure to complete the survey within the designated timeframe. Late responses will not be accepted.
10. Take the time to provide thoughtful and comprehensive feedback.
11. If you encounter questions that are unclear or ambiguous, do not hesitate to seek clarification from your instructor or the survey administrator.
12. Remember surveys are to help faculty to improve their teaching and the institution’s quality of education. Your critical review will not get an instructor fired. It is not about penalizing an instructor you do not like.

For question or difficulties reach out to surveys@utahtech.edu