Course evaluations
Instructors are evaluated in part via Online Course Questionnaires (OCQs), which are the official digital surveys that Indiana University makes available to all students in all courses. Please encourage your students to fill out their OCQs, as there is a minimum threshold number of student evaluations that must be met for each course. OCQs normally become available to students in the last month of a course. You may consider giving students 10 minutes at the start of a class period to fill out their OCQs.
It has increasingly become difficult to get students to fill out their online OCQ surveys. It is therefore important that you explain to students why these evaluations are useful for instructors. Explaining to the class that the survey contributes to improved instruction for those who take the course in the future provides some incentive. You should also let your students know that you cannot see these evaluations until all grades are turned in. Please see Tips for Increasing OCQ Response Rates to help you gather more substantive feedback on your performance as an instructor.
Additionally, first-time instructors will find that their students also complete a mid-semester evaluation. These are not counted as official evaluations but are used to give you insights into how your teaching approach is being received and if there are any elements you might consider changing or improving upon.
You are NOT permitted to pursue students individually and ask them about their specific OCQ responses after the surveys have been completed. Students should feel free to evaluate the course without fear of reprisals for providing their opinions.
At the end of every semester, and after you have received your student evaluation feedback, please make an effort to access that feedback and improve to better meet the needs of your future students. Feel free to consult with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) to learn more about how to interpret and understand student feedback.