Increasing Response Rates: Ideas for Your Unit

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The following eight points highlight ways in which you can encourage students to work together with you through the LEX to create a quality learning environment.

1. Tell students what you did with previous evaluation feedback

Before semester starts, use your Blackboard site to inform students about the major points arising from your previous evaluation feedback and how you have responded. In introductory lectures, take the opportunity to talk to students about the value of past feedback and discuss any changes to the unit and teaching.

2. Show students the kinds of questions that are asked in the LEX

In the first few weeks of semester, show students the kinds of questions they will be asked in the LEX at the end of semester. Ask students to consider what helps them learn during the semester so they can provide useful feedback.

3. Assure students that LEX feedback is confidential

When you introduce the LEX, make sure students understand that the feedback they provide will be confidential.  Teachers and faculty staff receive no student names or student identifying information with survey results. LEX survey results are strictly for quality review purposes and students' comments are not made available to teaching or faculty staff until after unit results are released.

4. Flag what you are interested in finding out from the LEX

When you introduce the launch of the LEX, let students know of any aspects of teaching and learning that you are particularly interested in finding out about. Eg. You really look forward to any comments students have about the textbook because you have changed it since last semester.

5. Use evaluation feedback to help make important teaching points

Throughout the semester, use opportunities to provide your current cohort with advice from past students, acknowledging the value of the student feedback process. Eg. Feedback I received from previous students said that completing Assignment 1 was essential to understanding the rest of the unit so make sure you do your best in each of the Assignment 1 requirements.

6. Remind students that they are part of a larger learning community

During the time that LEX is open for business at the end of semester, remind students that they are part of a larger learning community and that their feedback makes an important contribution to the quality of learning at QUT. Just as they are completing the LEX for this unit, their peers will be completing LEXs for the units in which they will enrol next semester. Their feedback could make all the difference.

7. Promote university level incentives for completing the LEX

During the time that LEX is open, remind students about the university level incentives for completing the LEX. (Refer to the Yourfeedback site for more information on current prizes)

8. Set aside time in a computer lab

If your class has time scheduled in a computer lab, set aside 10 minutes to allow students to complete LEX in class time if they so wish. Those who do not have such time scheduled should consider rotating a tutorial into a lab for such a purpose.