Mid-Semester Evaluations

Last updated by neal.legler 4 years ago

Mid-Semester Evaluation Resources and Programs

ETE SCOTs

SCOTs are student employees, hired as “Student Collaborators on Teaching” that can provide instructors with feedback on their teaching practices and resources to enhance learning excellence at Utah State University. SCOTs act as a bridge between teachers and students. This program contributes to engaged teaching and learning excellence by representing the student voice in an accountable manner.

SCOTs are ETE’s formalized program for offering external mid-semester evaluations. See

https://www.usu.edu/empowerteaching/programs/SCOT

Other Mid-Semester Evaluation References

The following resources can be helpful for faculty wishing to design their own mid-semester evaluations, or wishing to work with an instructional designer to implement a mid-semester review.

Boise State MAP Program

The Mid-Semester Assessment Program (MAP) is described here: https://www.boisestate.edu/ctl/consultations/map/

A nice feature of this program is that it shows how simple a mid -course evaluation really is, in terms of what you ask. These are the 3 questions they ask. Keeping it open-ended is a great idea, mid - semester .

What about this course and its instruction fosters your learning?

What specific changes could be made in the course that would improve your learning?

What efforts could you make as a student to improve your learning in this course?

How best can a teacher deliver these questions? Probably the easiest way is just through a Canvas quiz, set up as a graded or ungraded survey. The graded survey provides points just for completion, while the ungraded survey is completely optional. There is also Qualtrics, if you aren’t using Canvas heavily or want to use the Qualtrics reporting tools.

Carnegie Mellon Eberly Center

The Eberly Center has put a lot of teaching-related resources online, and they have a nice write-up on Early Course Feedback that lists some great best practices and some sample course feedback forms:

https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessment /assessteaching/early-course-feedback.html

University of Texas

https://facultyinnovate.utexas.edu/mid -semester -feedback

Indiana University

Like CMU, has an enviable library of web resources on teaching and learning):

https://citl.indiana.edu/teaching-resources/documenting-teaching/mid -semester -eval/

Harvard Bok Center

Useful insights on interpreting student feedback:

https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/end-semester -evaluations

UC Berkeley Center for Teaching and Learning

A large bank of multiple-choice course evaluation questions (better suited for semester -end evaluations, in my opinion)

https://teaching.berkeley.edu/course-evaluations-question-bank

Examples of Mid-Semester Evaluation Questions

From CIDI’s Online Teacher Certification Course

Rate the following as strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree:

I feel like an integral member of this class.

I can easily find the materials I need to complete assignments.

I know what is expected of me in terms of participation in the course.

The purpose of course activities: readings, assignments, discussions, quizzes, etc. are clearly explained.

Interactions with my instructor have been helpful in learning the course material.

The textbook and readings are useful in learning the course material.

I feel like I have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and receive answers.

Princeton University

From https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/student-questionnaire (Links to an external site.)

Do you usually understand what is expected of you in preparing for and participating in this
class? If not, please explain why not.

What aspects of this course and your instructor's teaching help you learn best?

What specific advice would you give to help your instructor improve your learning in this
course?

What steps could you take to improve your own learning in this course?

What other ideas would you suggest to improve this course (e.g., changes in course structure,
assignments or exams)?

From https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/mid-term-evaluation-questions (Links to an external site.)

I find the format of this class (lecture, discussion, problem-solving) helpful to the way that I learn.

I feel that this class format engages my interest.

I find the comments on exams or other written work helpful to my understanding of the class content.

I find that this class stimulates my interest in reading about this subject outside of class.

I feel comfortable approaching the instructor with questions or comments.

I find class discussions help me in understanding the readings.

I find class discussions help me in understanding key ideas in the course.

I feel that class discussions are dominated by one or a few people.

Florida State University

From http://distance.fsu.edu/docs/instructors/evaluation/TABformSAMPLE.pdf (Links to an external site.)

The course objectives are clear.

The instructor makes the purpose (objectives) of each assignment and learning activity clear.

The readings, homework, and other activities are useful.

Course assignments and/or exams are directly related to the course objectives.

Assignments and/or exams are appropriate measurements of student learning.

The instructor inspires interest in the content of the course.

The instructor provides me with prompt feedback on homework, assignments and/or exams.

I am learning a great deal in this class so far.

Gadsden State University

From http://www.gadsdenstate.edu/elearning/getting-started-elearning (Links to an external site.)

List the major strengths in the course. (What is helping you learn in the course?) Please explain briefly or give an example for each strength.

List changes that could be made in the course to assist you in learning. Please explain how suggested changes could be made.

Other comments

Stop/Start/Continue Worksheet

List one or two things that are not working (I should STOP doing them).

List one or two things that would be beneficial (I should START doing).

List one or two things I am currently doing well that I should CONTINUE doing.