Mid Term Evaluations
Providing students with the opportunity to evaluate the course in the middle of the semester can supply instructors with useful feedback for making immediate, small scale changes to improve student learning before the end of the semester.
How?
• Usually within the first 5 to 7 weeks of the semester.
• Penn provides two forms that students can fill out on line. Form A is open ended and Form B provides a scaled answer form with some room for open-ended comments.
https://fusion.sas.upenn.edu/feedback/
• If you use the on-line forms above, use email to ask students to fill them out on line.
• You may prefer to use paper copies. In that case, you may use Form A or B above or the Open-Ended Form and List of Questions provided by CTL. (You may also download the open-ended form and list of questions in word.)
• If you do use paper forms, set aside 15 or 20 minutes of class time and explain to students that you will be using their answers from these forms to improve the class this semester. You should also tell them that they will fill out another set of evaluations at the end of class that will be used for more administrative purposes.
Alternative CTL Forms
The CTL has also designed an additional form that instructors can use for mid term evaluation. (This form can also be used in addition to the standard form at the end of the semester). It focuses on students’ engagement with the class and provides a richer array of questions so it can be tailored to the interests and goals of the instructor. To use this form:
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Download the Open-Ended Form.
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Review the List of Questions to select questions that are appropriate for your class and that reflect your goals and concerns.
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Cut and paste questions into the form. You may want to replace some of the more general questions already there but keep the total number of questions short (less than 5).
What Next?
• If you are using the forms for mid-term evaluation, focus on incremental change. Don’t try to completely redesign your course midway through the semester.
• Talk to the students about their comments. Explain how the changes you are making will help them reach the goals you have set. As you discuss change with your students, be careful not to seem defensive.
Instructors who would like help designing or responding to midterm evaluations can contact either Bruce Lenthall (215 898 4170) or Catherine Turner (215 898 1686) at the Center for Teaching and Learning.
