USING STUDENT FEEDBACK THROUGH ONLINE SURVEYS TO IMPROVE LEARNING AND TEACHING: RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY EIGHT AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES

This paper and presentation will provide how-to information, tips, and strategies for maximising the power of electronic student evaluation of teaching. The presenting university uses EvaluationKIT to collect and report student feedback. The university process was designed and is maintained in collaboration with the student association. As a result, student response rates of over 90% are consistently achieved. The University undertakes a process of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, interpretation and transparent outcomes reporting. Students control access to the results through their own portal. Student feedback data are complemented by, and fed into, an overall evaluation of education, and subsequently used as data in assurance of learning processes. The presenter will openly share the mechanics of the presented system and process. In addition, attendees of this session will take away key publications, a literature review, and results of a research project conducted by eight Australian universities.

Online student surveys have proven to be an innovative use of technology in learning and teaching. Advantages of online distribution and reporting have been well-documented in the literature. Three themes for further investigation have emerged: design features and student response characteristics; opportunities for student engagement, and; strategies for applying student feedback to university improvement. The EDULEARN paper and presentation will present research results from the first research phase. The presenter will share key design features and output data from eight detailed case studies developed to scope the state of student evaluation of teaching and courses in Australia, and describe guidelines to apply results globally. In addition, the presenter will preview the second and third stages of the research. In the second stage, interviews and focus groups will be conducted in five States to collect ideas and strategies (aspirational and actual) for engaging students in the evaluation process. In the third stage, interviews and focus groups will be conducted in five States to collect exemplar practices of universities that are successfully applying student feedback to improve learning. The project aims to produce a guide of positive practices, to inspire universities to engage their students in the process, and provide strategies for using student feedback to improve university contribution to learning.