In a 2005
survey* 746 students were asked the following question: "Do you think the [end
of semester, course] evaluations you have completed have had an impact?" 393
responded "yes," and 353 responded "no." On the other hand a significant number
said that the only incentive they needed for filling out an evaluation was
knowing that they made a difference.
*"Improving the
Process of Course Evaluation: The Online Alternative for Berkeley"
—
Leadership Development Program 2004-2005
According to Carnegie Mellon University, "Several studies have shown that the best way to encourage your students to respond is to share with them why their feedback is important to you and what you do with the information. Most students don't believe faculty even read the evaluations and report that they would be more likely to complete [end of term evaluations] if they believed they were read and used for improving teaching and education on campus."
Suggested wording for handing out end-of-semester course evaluations:
"I just want to take a few moments before handing out the evaluation forms to let you know how valuable your input is as a means of gauging the instructor's and this course's effectiveness. The evaluations that you are about to fill out are not only important sources of information for the future improvement of courses and teaching, but are also taken into account in determining employment, promotion and pay for instructors. Because the information provided on these forms is so important, I encourage you to take the time to fill out all three sections of the form, each of which covers significant areas of evaluation. You will have fifteen minutes in which to fill out these forms."*
(*Source: UC Irvine Faculty Manual)
Below is a version used by Ani Adhikari of Statistics at Berkeley:
"I take what you say very seriously. Even though I have taught this course many times, I am always thinking about ways to improve it and your input is crucial. I've found over the years that my students have given me very thoughtful and constructive suggestions which I've been able to use to create a better course. Thank you for doing this. I appreciate it, and so will future students."
Adhikari’s comments:
What I tell them is the honest truth and I think they recognize that. It is important to remind students that their input is of very high quality and that it matters. That has much more impact than something in the vein of, "Your evals will help me get my next promotion."
In our departmental form there's a place where students can give advice to prospective students. Sadly, prospective students never get to see this. So on the first lecture of the next term (or the next time I teach the same course) I summarize that section for my new students.
I should probably put the summary on the website of the new class. That way the new students will see that I took past students' comments seriously, and may be more inclined to provide thoughtful ones of their own in 15 weeks.
Campus Policy for handing out end of semester evaluations