Course Evaluations

Student evaluations of courses can provide useful information about teaching effectiveness. Because ASU’s teaching units have routinely used course evaluation instruments for many years, there are many instruments available locally. However, some units may wish to revise existing instruments to focus more sharply on student engagement and learning. Further, units may wish to consider replacing pencil-and-paper evaluations with online evaluations. For assistance with course evaluation instruments, please contact the Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence.

Here are some general considerations for administering course evaluations

• Encourage students to offer thoughtful responses. Explain how important their responses are to you and to your department. Such encouragement can make a difference.
• Make certain to leave the room while students are completing the course evaluations. Before you do, ask for a volunteer to collect the completed evaluations and to deliver them to the department.
• If you administer the evaluation near the beginning of a class session, students will usually provide more thoughtful responses than if you administer the evaluation near the end of a class session.
• Avoid administering a course evaluation just after handing back graded materials.