Should the Student Evaluation of Teaching Feedback Period End Before Finals Week?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: Diverse Considerations for Designing and Implementing Effective Student Ratings of Instruction

Abstract

Online student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are unique opportunity for students to provide anonymous feedback at the end of a course concerning their overall experience with the course content and their instructors. Although SETs are increasingly common, some instructors believe that the timing of evaluations influences the students’ feedback. In particular, recommendations vary concerning whether the feedback period should include the final examination. At a midsized, Midwestern university, the SET period began two weeks prior to the last day of classes, but ended prior to finals week for one term while including finals week the following year. After matching departmental responses, completion rates and survey responses were analyzed to determine whether student feedback differed when finals week was included.

Authors

• Kianré B. Eouanzoui, Ball State University

• James A. Jones, Ball State University