Evaluation of Learning and Teaching at CSU
Review of the Online Evaluation of Subjects
The Online Evaluation of Subjects (OES) is currently under review.
The DVC (Academic) set up a Working Party (comprising the Sub-Deans Learning and Teaching, representatives from FLI and EFPI and DLTS) to undertake this work.
The Working Party proposes the adoption of a new Subject Experience Survey (SES) to replace the core items of the Online Evaluation of Subjects (see DRAFT Report of the OES Review Working Party).
The new survey comprises two sets of core items - one for Workplace Learning Subjects and another for all other subjects. It also includes items that are linked to the common teaching standards and expectations of academic staff in teaching at CSU.
Subject Evaluation Survey for General subjects
Subject Evaluation Survey for Workplace Learning subjects
The development of the two sets of core items adopted a very rigorous process invloving a review of evaluation practices at several other Universities (Australian and International), as well as a review of the literature on the evaluation of teaching. This work led to the development of key constructs around learning and teaching, their dimensions and principles. This process then led to the development of the two sets of draft survey items which were rigorously reviewed by the Working Party and pilot tested in preparation for its trial implementation in 2012.
The Online Evaluation of Subjects System
The OES system came into operation from Spring 2005 and replaced the old paper-based surveys. It comprises 11 core items that are mandatory. These core items can be supplemented with a customised set of items that are located in a comprehensive categorised item bank. The OES system provides subject coordinators with a 4-week window in each session to customise their online subject surveys. Thereafter, in that session, the student submission window opens for a 4-week period to allow students to complete their respective subject surveys online. Each session has its set of key dates for customising and submitting the surveys. For 2013, these key dates will be notified directly to subject coordinators.
Online Help is available for subject coordinators to customise their surveys.
To show that the University takes feedback from students about their subjects and teaching very seriously, all data in the form of core item means are presented graphically by School from Spring 2004 to the last concluded session.
Evaluation Services provides annual reports on the OES data that have been aggregated across all sessions for Schools, Faculties and the University. These reports are available for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Academic staff prepare subject reviews based on student feedback from the Online Evaluation of Subjects (OES). Heads of Schools compile their school reports based on these subject reviews. These reports are available for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
The following are some strategies developed by Evaluation Services and strategies used by academic staff to increase online evaluation response rates.
- Strategies developed by Evaluation Services to increase online evaluation response rates.
Evaluation Services strategies
- Strategies used by academic staff to obtain higher survey response rates (70% and above).
Strategies for higher response rates