Understanding Student Evaluations: A Guide For Fordham University Professors

Fordham University uses an online course evaluation system, known as SEEQ (Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality), which allows students to complete course evaluation surveys online via a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The results of these evaluations are anonymous and are used by department chairs, reappointment, promotion, and tenure committees campus-wide, as well as by instructors to revise classes. The scores obtained for each dimension of the SEEQ survey are intended to highlight areas of strength and weakness in the course presentation and act as a guide for improvement. The survey includes questions about the overall quality of the class and instructor compared to others at Fordham University, with scores ranging from 1 to 9, except for the Workload/Difficulty dimension, where a rating of 5 is considered just right.

Student anonymity

At Calvin University, several students expressed surprise and concern upon learning that professors could see their original evaluation forms, including their handwriting. Some students, like junior Anna Delph, felt misled, assuming that their evaluations were completely anonymous. Delph suggested that feedback should be delivered to professors by a department head to maintain anonymity. However, philosophy professor Lee Hardy expressed hope that the knowledge of identifiable handwriting wouldn't deter students from providing honest feedback. Biology professor Rich Nyhof added that he had never been able to identify students based on evaluations.

In contrast, Fordham University reassures students that their responses to the Online Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) Surveys are completely anonymous. Professors only receive access to scanned copies of the original evaluation forms after final grades are submitted. This process is managed by the provost's office, which scans the forms onto a confidential hard drive. Department chairs and reappointment, promotion, and tenure committees across the campus also have access to these evaluations.

While Fordham University emphasizes student anonymity in its evaluation process, it is important to note that the university also values and utilizes the evaluation data for administrative purposes. This two-fold approach aims to protect student identities while also gathering valuable feedback for course improvement and administrative decisions.

Timing of evaluations

The timing of evaluations is an important aspect of the student evaluation process at Fordham University. The university administers the Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) survey online each semester, with the survey period opening 14 days before the last day of class. Instructors are required to allocate time to introducing and administering the SEEQ during this designated period.

The online survey period typically lasts for two weeks, and students are expected to complete the evaluations in class during this time. This ensures that the evaluations are completed in a timely manner and provides a consistent window for all students to provide their feedback.

It is important to note that faculty members do not have access to the course evaluations until after they have submitted their semester grades. This helps to maintain the anonymity of the evaluation process and ensures that student feedback does not influence the grades given by the instructor.

Once the grades have been submitted, faculty members can access the anonymous results of the course evaluations. This allows instructors to reflect on the feedback and make any necessary adjustments to their teaching methods or course content for the next semester.

Overall, the timing of evaluations at Fordham University is carefully planned to encourage student participation, maintain anonymity, and provide valuable feedback for instructors and the university administration.

Student understanding of their importance

It is important for students to understand the significance of their course evaluations and how they are used. Firstly, the feedback is used by professors to improve the course for future students. The evaluations are a guide to self-improvement, helping professors to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the course from a student perspective. For example, professors may decide to revise readings, alter assignments, or change pedagogical methods based on this feedback. Secondly, the feedback is used by the University administration, including department chairs, and reappointment, promotion, and tenure committees. The Law School, for instance, uses evaluations in its hiring decisions.

Students should also be aware that their feedback is taken seriously and acted upon. While professors do not see the evaluations until after they have submitted their semester grades, and evaluations are anonymous, the feedback is valuable to professors and the University. Students can see the numerical results of evaluations before registering for courses, and this can help them choose courses.

Furthermore, students should understand the process of completing evaluations. The Online Survey period opens 14 days before the last day of class, and surveys are completed in class during those two weeks. Students receive an email if they have not completed their evaluations, and this is a good reminder of the importance of their feedback.

Finally, students should know that their evaluations are compared to department averages. This allows the University to understand if there are any significant deviations from the expected range. However, it is important to note that small differences of around one to one and a half points are not usually significant, and some courses vary based on content, independent of the instructor.

How scores are used

At Fordham University, student evaluations are taken very seriously and are used by various stakeholders across the University. Firstly, the University administrators, including all department chairs, reappointment, promotion and tenure committees, and the Administration of the Law School, use student evaluations to make informed decisions about faculty hiring, reappointment and promotion.

Secondly, individual instructors use student feedback to revise and improve their classes. The scores obtained for each dimension of the course presentation, such as the instructor's performance, workload, and difficulty, help instructors identify areas of strength and weakness. This information guides them in making changes to the course structure, readings, assignments, and pedagogical methods.

Additionally, student evaluations are available to fellow students who may be considering taking the course in the future. These evaluations serve as a valuable source of information for students when selecting their courses.

It is important to note that instructors do not have access to course evaluations until after they have submitted their semester grades, and even then, the evaluations are strictly anonymous. This process ensures the integrity and confidentiality of the evaluation system.

When interpreting scores, it is essential to consider the context and compare them to department averages. Small differences between an instructor's score and the department average, such as tenths of a point, may not be significant. A deviation of more than two standard deviations from the average, however, could indicate a meaningful difference.

How scores are calculated

The Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality survey, known as SEEQ, is administered online each semester near the end of the term. The survey opens 14 days before the last day of class and must be completed in class during those two weeks.

Each dimension of the survey can be rated from 1 to 9, with higher scores reflecting higher levels in that dimension. The exception is the Workload/Difficulty dimension, where a rating of 5 is considered "just right".

When you receive student evaluations, you will also get the average scores for each dimension for your department from that semester. This allows you to compare your course ratings to the overall course ratings of your department. The important scores to focus on are the mean (or average) for each dimension and its corresponding standard deviation.

The scores obtained for each dimension of the SEEQ are intended to highlight areas of improvement in the course presentation. They are meant to guide self-improvement and help provide a better educational product.

It's important to note that ratings may not differ significantly from the department averages. Tenths of a point differences are usually not meaningful. For example, if your score is 6.0 and the department average is 6.5, your score is likely within the expected range. This is because the standard variation among scores for other faculty is typically around one to one and a half points. Even if there is a large deviation from the department average, careful consideration should be given to the specific nature of the course.

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