Collecting and Using Student Feedback on Virtual (Remote) Teaching
Student feedback is an important part of continuous improvement in teaching practice, and especially during times of great change (such as pivoting to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic). Ideally, professors should collect feedback, reflect on the results, determine areas of growth and seek out opportunities to develop in those areas.
While Algonquin College uses an end-of-course student evaluation tool, this is only one piece of data that professors can use for teaching development. The course evaluation only provides data once the course is complete, thus not allowing for any adjustments in the course during the actual teaching. Instead, data can be collected from multiple sources in order to create a more balanced approach to teaching development and provide real-time data to improve the learning experience during a course.
Different data sources for collecting student feedback on teaching:
Ideally, the best method is to collect data from all three sources in order to continuously improve your teaching practice and the student learning experience, but collecting data from two sources is still an excellent way to get started.
In addition to the end-of-course evaluation, choose 1 or both of these feedback collection tools to implement this semester between weeks 4-7.
Mid-course peer feedback tool: Small Group Instructional Feedback
A representative from Learning and Teaching Services (LTS) visits professor’s class for 10 minutes (via Zoom in remote delivery) while professor is not present. Students are asked questions about the learning experiences in the course. Data is summarized and professor is invited to review the data with the representative and make a plan to work on areas of growth.
- Ideal for courses that have a regular synchronous session that most students are able to attend live.
- Ideal for professors who want more general feedback (ex: what helps you learn in this course? What hinders your learning in this course?)
Mid-course professor feedback tool: In-Class Survey
Students are asked about the learning experience in the course by the professor, usually in the form of a survey or questionnaire. Data is summarized and professor connects with either a peer or a representative from LTS to review data and make a plan to work on areas of growth.
- Ideal for courses that do not have a synchronous session or have a session where not students are able to attend live.
- Ideal for professors who want specific feedback (ex: do I go through the material too quickly?)
Examples include:
Schedule an in-class peer feedback session, or get more information on student feedback tools, please contact Rebecca Wakelin at wakelir@algonquincollege.com.