Suggestion 105. Hand out short questionnaires to get feedback

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Know if the class is understanding you or not

• Know if the students are bored or confused

• Clarify reasons for students' confusion or boredom

• Get specific feedback and suggestions during the term

Periodically handing out short questionnaires on specific aspects of the course.

This is a form of what professional evaluators call "formative evaluation" (as differentiated from a "summative" or end-of-course evaluation). It is designed solely to give you very specific, concrete information on where you can make improvements in course content or organization, assignments, or aspects of your own teaching effectiveness during the same term rather than next time you teach the course.

Formative evaluation can be especially helpful if you are teaching a new or substantially revised course, adopting a new text or lab manual, or experimenting with a new mode of instruction. Many faculty members routinely administer specially tailored mid-quarter evaluations. Generally, they report that these evaluations dramatically improve their communication and rapport with students, even if there are few basic changes that they are able to make in the course that term.

Note: See also suggestion No. 109 on how to acknowledge mid-term feedback from students.

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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