Mid-Semester Assessments
The Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) offers mid-semester assessments to faculty who would like to receive student feedback before the end of term. These confidential, non-evaluative assessments—where CLT shares the results only with the faculty member—offer insights on what students believe helps them learn and how they suggest the course could be enhanced.
CLT recommends that mid-semester assessments be conducted after students have received feedback on at least one major assignment or assessment in a course.
Online Surveys
CLT collaborates with instructors to develop survey questions and tailor them to their courses. An online survey takes 5 to 7 minutes of class time. To get a high response rate, CLT encourages instructors to dedicate the first 5 minutes of class to administer the survey. Check this document for important tips on administering your mid-semester assessment survey.
After students respond to the survey anonymously, CLT shares the survey report with the instructor, including student responses.
Several faculty members find pre- and post-assessment consultations with CLT valuable in designing and reporting on survey results as formative assessments of teaching. Over the past years, students have shown appreciation for their instructor’s willingness to ask for and act upon their feedback.
Small-Group Instructional Diagnosis
Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID) is a formative assessment tool in which students are asked what helps them learn in the course and how the learning experience could be improved. Upon the instructor’s request, two CLT staff members facilitate an in-class discussion with students about their current learning experience, in the absence of the course instructor. CLT shares a summary report of students’ feedback with the instructor and suggests recommendations where appropriate.
Several faculty members find pre- and post-assessment consultations with CLT valuable in designing and reporting on the results of SGIDs as formative assessments of teaching.
Learn more about how SGIDs are conducted
How to Request a Mid-Semester Assessment for Your Course(s)
Each semester, CLT sends an email announcing the dates for mid-semester assessments (MSA) for faculty to request online surveys or Small Group Instructional Diagnosis sessions. Use the link in the announcement email to request an MSA for your course. If you have any questions, email [email protected].