Teaching Tip: Those End-of-Term Surveys

Although universities’ end-of-term evaluations are important, they are often too generic to guarantee detailed insights into our OM classes and our teaching. If we want to get specific feedback from students—about our assignments, MyLab, case studies, guest speakers, projects, readings—we must ask specific questions. And the best way to do that is by issuing our own surveys as well.

Harvard Business School’s Faculty Lounge (Nov. 15, 2022) has 3 suggestions to consider:

1. Ask specific questions to yield actionable feedback– including feedback on the materials you use, the approach you take, or the subjects you cover. Perhaps even ask what students would have done differently if they had been in your shoes and what topics they wished you had time to explore. You might also be wondering whether a particular guest speaker resonated with your students. And while you’re at it, list all the guest speakers in a survey question and request that students rate each one on a 1–5 scale, explaining their rating. You can ask similar questions about assignments, case studies, readings, and projects. Perhaps ask:  “What are you most proud of achieving this term?”

2.  Share the why—and be mindful of the when and how. You want students to understand that their feedback really means something to you—and that you’re thinking through what will lead to their most candid responses. To ensure that students will give your survey their full attention, let them know the “why”—that you’re including your own survey because their specific feedback is incredibly valuable and that you’d appreciate honesty, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness. If you’re worried about survey fatigue, keep your questionnaire short. Also, anonymous surveys build trust and inclusion. Online tools like Google Forms, Qualtrics, and Canvas offer anonymous survey options.

3.  Learn to shrug off unproductive comments.  Anonymous feedback can improve teaching—but also destroy educators’ confidence and innovation. If all your students think your course was wonderful, easy, and absolutely what they expected, it may be a sign that perhaps you’re not challenging students and pushing them beyond their comfort zones. Still, take some comments with a grain of salt, narrowing in on the feedback that is most productive and adjusting accordingly. If you end up surprised by some of your students’ responses, take opportunities to ask for feedback earlier in future terms.

The advantages of creating your own end-of-term survey are plentiful. But an important benefit is that it gives your students a voice.