Student Evaluation Surveys: An Overview

[Print-friendly version]

QUT provides a learning environment where students and staff work together to create successful learning outcomes.

Proactive communication between students and staff about what makes good teaching and learning is essential to achieving these outcomes. Evaluation feedback can be collected using a range of methods including University approved student evaluation surveys and other supplementary, but not substituted, methods of evaluation (eg customised surveys, focus groups, peer review, moderation of student learning outcomes with tutors). The QUT Evaluation Scheme offers a variety of ways for students and staff to make a difference to learning at QUT.

The current University approved evaluation surveys are as follows:

The Learning Experience Survey (LEX)

The Learning Experience Survey (LEX) is the university approved student evaluation survey for units and teaching, replacing SETs and SEUs, it began in Semester 1, 2007. Students are invited to provide feedback on their units and teachers through the LEX each semester. LEX feedback is not the only source of data about the student experience and should be considered together with other ways of knowing about teaching and learning in units.

When students open the LEX through QUT Virtual they view a survey, customised with their personal enrolment details, and can complete their evaluation in 3 easy steps:

1. select one of their units
2. select teachers they wish to evaluate from the list provided on the screen
3. complete the LEX survey

Evaluation policies can be found at:

• www.mopp.qut.edu.au/C/C_07_07.jsp
• www.mopp.qut.edu.au/B/B_09_07.jsp

Other Course and Cohort Experience Surveys

Over a three year cycle, the following surveys will also gather feedback at a course level and help us to understand the student experience of specific cohorts of enrolled students.

• The First Year Evaluation Survey (FYES) focuses on transition to university and experiences of first year students.
• The Mid Year Evaluation Survey (MYES) focuses on the experiences of services and courses of second year/mid-course students.
• The Exit Year Evaluation Survey (EYES) focuses on capstone and transition out of university experiences of students identified as eligible for graduation in the survey year.

The FYES will be administered first, in 2007, the EYES in 2008, then the MYES in 2009. Survey results will be available to Executive Deans, Assistant Deans (Teaching and Learning), and Course Coordinators. Course Coordinators are responsible for communicating to students about responses and improvements resulting from prior student feedback. Academic staff can expect feedback from their Course Coordinator on directions for change or improvement.

TellQUT

• TellQUT is an online feedback option that is open to students throughout the semester.
• TellQUT allows students to provide open ended comments on issues they consider significant.
• Student feedback from TellQUT will be managed and communicated to relevant areas of the University by Student Support Services.