Strategies to Increase Response Rate of Online Course Evaluations

Instructors can communicate the value of course evaluations in class and in course syllabi.

Research shows that the greatest incentive to students is instructors' encouragement to them and instructors' explanation of why course evaluations are important to them. One way to do this is to report changes made to the course based on previous course evaluations results.

Distribute to students instructional handout/flyer announcing course evaluations and login directions

Department Chairs can communicate the value of course evaluations to all their faculty members

"Advertise" the importance of course evaluations (in any student-type announcement/flyer, etc.)

Instructors can consider letting students out of class early to do their evaluations

Instructors can ask students to bring their laptop to class during the evaluation period and allow time to fill them out in class. Instructors must leave the room during this process

If instructors have access to computer labs, they can reserve a time during the evaluation period for students to go and fill them out. Instructors should leave the room during this process

Student incentives for course evaluation completion (ex. drawing at random…)

Instructors can include the evaluation period dates in their class syllabus

Departments can post a message on their website and/or office bulletin

Send automatic email reminders (IR) during the evaluation period to students at their sunyorange email accounts

Create pop-up window when students log into Self Service Banner

Create active logo to appear on college’s homepage during evaluation period

Scrolling announcement on college homepage and/or other college webpages

Post an announcement on Facebook/MySpace (a social networking website) during the main evaluation period from students’ society/club…