Course and Instructor Evaluations
Frequently Asked
Questions
- What are the online Instructor and Course Evaluation Surveys?
- Who administers the surveys?
- What happens to the surveys once they are completed?
- Do my evaluations really matter?
- What happens if I do not complete a course/instructor evaluation?
- Why should I do this if nothing ever changes?
- Are the surveys confidential?
- Why aren’t we using paper and pencil surveys?
- Why do I need to enter demographic information?
- Why do I have to fill out so many instructor and course surveys?
- When do I complete the surveys?
- How were the questions on the survey created?
- What steps do I take to complete a survey?
What are the online Instructor and Course Evaluation Surveys?
The online Instructor and Course Evaluation Surveys are questionnaires that students complete to evaluate their classes. The surveys provide feedback to Clayton State University instructors, department heads and administrators about the quality of students’ educational experiences.
Who administers the surveys?
The Office of Institutional Research collects and analyzes the data. The Associate Provost provides oversight.
What happens to the surveys once they are completed?
After the semester has ended and all grades have been finalized, the Office of Institutional Research creates reports that are distributed to the deans and department heads. The results are then sent to the individual instructors. Institutional Research analyzes the aggregate data and this information is used in planning curriculum.
Do my evaluations really matter?
These evaluations are very important. Department heads use these evaluations when they decide whether to rehire part-time instructors or to assign them to particular courses. Full-time faculty members are required to keep their evaluations as a part of a portfolio that a committee uses to evaluate teaching effectiveness.
Why should I do this if nothing ever changes?
These surveys are designed to help faculty members seek ways to change how they are teaching their classes. Faculty members and department heads appreciate constructive comments. If instructors are not teaching effectively in some areas, steps are taken to help them improve. The degree to which things change depends in part on the quality of the feedback that students provide through these surveys.
Are the surveys confidential?
The online survey provides you with a great deal of anonymity. No one in the office of Institutional Research or the Provost’s Office ever sees any names of students connected to responses. Although it may be technically possible for one person in Administrative Systems to retrieve a student’s ***NAME*** from DUCK records, this information is never gathered nor is it requested. If a student puts some kind of identifying information in his or her comments, then the instructor may be able to figure out who wrote the comment. However, students must remember that the instructor does not receive these results until after the semester ends. Grades can not be affected either by a student’s praise or criticism.
Why aren’t we using paper and pencil surveys?
There are three main reasons. First, online surveys better protect your privacy than paper and pencil surveys. Paper and pencil surveys can sometimes be read while they are being completed, they have to be handled by many people, and they can sometimes be linked to a student via the handwriting. Second, online surveys are much less expensive to administer. There is a great amount of cost associated with paper, scanning machines, and labor. Third, the information obtained via online surveys is more accurate.
Why do I need to enter demographic information?
The information that is gathered from the surveys is more useful at the university level if Institutional Research knows something about the students who are taking and evaluating particular courses. Students’ demographic information is necessary to help Institutional Research answer research questions to improve the quality of instruction. To protect your privacy, the surveys are not tied to any other databases which would have demographic information.
Why do I have to fill out so many instructor and course surveys?
Clayton State University cares about each and every course you take. Each instructor needs feedback to make changes in the course or method of instruction. It is vital that CSU has information from as many students as possible in order to get an accurate picture of student perceptions. The surveys take some time, but the time taken is an investment in the quality of your education.
When do I complete the surveys?
There is a set time period when the DUCK is open for these evaluations. Your instructors will give you information about when they would like you to complete them. Some instructors request that everyone in the class complete them on the same day. Some instructors use class time to complete the surveys, especially if a smart classroom is available. Other instructors will manage the evaluation process differently. Please check with your instructors for details.
How were the questions on the survey created?
The faculty members at Clayton State University created the majority of the questions. Additional questions were created to answer questions that are relevant to a particular department or school.
What steps do I take to complete a survey?
Once you log onto the DUCK, you will see “Important Messages.” Click on “Course Surveys.” A table will appear with a link to “Demographic Survey” and individual links to each instructor and each course. You need only complete the demographic survey one time. Answer every question on each instructor and course survey. There is room provided for specific comments.