The course evaluation questionnaire has had multiple revisions in the last decade. Most recently, the Trinity Arts & Sciences Faculty Council Committee on Assessment piloted a new questionnaire for a few classes in Spring 2021. This new questionnaire was fully integrated starting Summer I 2021. Prior to that, the questionnaire was updated Summer II 2017 and Summer II 2013. Please refer to the following legend to review which questions were asked when.
- Summer I 2021 to present
- Academic Year 2017-18 to Spring 2021
- Academic Year 2013-14 to 2016-17
- Academic Year 2012-13 and prior
Course Expectations, Organization, Overall Course, Instructor Rating, and Overall Open-Ended Items
- Considering all components of the course (lectures, discussions, sections/labs, assessments, projects, course environment, etc), overall the course was 1, 2
- Based on the effectiveness of instruction (clarity, expertise, enthusiasm, rigor, support, inspiration, etc), overall the instructor [InstructorName] was 1, 2
- [IF TA] Based on the effectiveness of instruction (clarity, expertise, enthusiasm, rigor, support, inspiration, etc), overall the teaching assistant, [TAName], was 1
- [IF TA] In what ways did the teaching assistant facilitate your learning and what might have helped even more? Include any constructive comments you’d like to share with the teaching assistant here. 1
- Would you like to provide any other comments about this course? 1, 2
- What would you like to say about this course to a student who is considering taking it in the future? 1, 2
- Please indicate whether your instructor, [InstructorName], should be recognized for exceptional teaching. 1
- The course has clearly defined student learning objectives. 2
- The course had clear expectations for assignments and other work. 2
- The course expectations and requirements were clear. 3
- Give an overall rating for the quality of this course. 3
- Give an overall rating for quality of the instructor. 3
- Please rate the overall quality of instruction from this instructor (instructor 1/2/3).3
- The course was well-structured and organized. 3
- Course requirements/expectations were clear. 4
- The quality of this course. 4
- The quality of instruction (Inst. 1/2/3/4) 4
- Additional Comments/Suggestions: 4
- Comments: (e.g., strong and weak points of the course and instructor) 4
Environment, Workload, Grading Fairness, and Instructor Enthusiasm, Clarity, Preparedness, Willingness to Meet, and Feedback
- Reflecting on the overall learning environment of this class, in what ways did the instructors and the structure or components of the course facilitate your learning? Are there specific course components or methods of instruction you’d keep for future years? 1
- What might improve the course? Are there specific course components or methods of instruction you’d change for future years? Did anything in particular impede a positive learning environment? 1
- The course had a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment 2
- The course was difficult. 1
- How many hours per week on average did you spend on this course (outside of class meetings)? 1
- Compared to requirements in other classes of this type, the workload assigned in this class was: 2
- How much did you learn from this course? 2
- Instructor 1/2/3 fostered a positive class dynamic and atmosphere conducive to learning. 3
- Overall, how much did you learn in this course. 3
- Instructor 1/2/3 was enthusiastic about the course. 3
- Instructor 1/2/3 explained material clearly and in a way that enhanced my understanding.3
- Instructor 1/2/3 was well prepared. 3
- Instructor 1/2/3 was willing to meet and help students outside of class. 3
- Instructor 1/2/3 provided timely and helpful feedback on my work and performance in the course. 3
- The grading procedures were appropriate and fair. 3
- Participation in class discussion was encouraged. 4
- Instructor was enthusiastic about the course. (Inst. 1/2/3/4) 4
- Instructor was accessible outside of class. (Inst. 1/2/3/4) 4
- Feedback on examinations/papers/performance was valuable. 4
- Methods of evaluating student work were fair and appropriate. 4
- Comments: (e.g., clarity and organization of course, student/instructor interaction) 4
Workload, Stimulation, and Difficulty
- What knowledge, methods, skills, insights, or ways of thinking did you develop in this course? Please describe three specific things you learned. 1
- Your personal level of engagement with the course was: 1
- The course was intellectually stimulating. It made me think in new ways, encouraged me to adopt different points of view, or challenged me to develop new skills.1
- What made this class stimulating or how could it be more intellectually stimulating if it wasn’t? 1
- How many hours in a typical week on average did you spend on this course (outside of class meetings)? 1, 2
- Difficulty of the subject matter. 1, 2, 4
- About what percent of the class meetings (including discussions, labs, etc.) did you attend in person? 2
- How would you characterize the workload in this course. 3
- The course was intellectually stimulating and made me think. 3
- The course assignments (papers, projects, problem sets, etc.) helped me learn. 3
- The course materials (readings, textbooks, labs, online, etc.) engaged my interest. 3
- Out of Class Work Time: 4
- Intellectual stimulation. 4
- This Course Fulfills A (Major/Minor/Cert. Requirement; Curriculum/College Requirement/ Elective) 4
- Comments: (e.g., amount and type of thinking you did, usefulness of readings and assignments) 4
- Comments: (e.g., specific knowledge, skills, etc. acquired, new appreciation of/outlook on previous knowledge) 4
Based on Bloom's Taxonomy
The Trinity Student Learning Objectives may be added to samples of courses by Trinity College leadership in future terms as the assessment strategy evolves and specific research questions emerge over time.
- This course helped me gain factual knowledge 2, 3, 4
- This course helped me understand fundamental concepts and principles 2, 3, 4
- This course helped me learn to apply knowledge, concepts, principles, or theories to a specific situation or problem 2, 3, 4
- This course helped me learn to analyze ideas, arguments, and points of view 2, 3, 4
- This course helped me learn to synthesize and integrate knowledge 2, 3, 4
- This course helped me learn to conduct inquiry through methods in the field 2, 3, 4
- This course helped me learn to evaluate the merits of ideas and competing claims 2, 3, 4