TABLE OF CONTENTS

• How do I log in to see my past course evaluation results? 
• What does the online course evaluation look like?
• Why do the questions look different in Academic Year 2019-20?
• Who do I contact for assistance? 
• When do course evaluations open?
• When do course evaluations close?
• What communications do students receive about the online course evaluations?
• What are best practices for increasing response rates in a face-to-face course?
• What are best practices for increasing response rates at a distance?
• What are the benefits of online end-of-course evaluations?
• How can I add a link to course evaluations in my Blackboard course site? 

How do I log in to see my past course evaluation results? 

To view your course evaluation results, go to: SmartEvals and log in with your Lesley credentials.

What does the online course evaluation look like?

You can view the survey questions here:  Sample Course Evaluation Preview 

**Note that this is a fictional course and instructor and intended only to demonstrate the questions and how they will appear.

Why do the questions look different in Academic Year 2019-20?

A new set of questions was approved by Faculty Assembly in April 2019. The revision work was driven entirely by the valuable input of faculty and students who completed our survey in February 2019. Survey responses included numerical ratings and commentary on each of the pilot evaluation questions. Members of FAAP carefully read and categorized responses from over 500 students and 120 adjunct and core faculty members. The revised document was then posted on the Faculty Assembly Blackboard page during the months of March and April, with an open invitation for further feedback-and your input helped us to refine the questions once more. The new course evaluation document will provide valuable student feedback about your courses and students’ experiences as learners in your courses.

Who do I contact for assistance? 

If you have questions or need assistance with your course evaluations, contact evals@lesley.edu

When do course evaluations open?

The administrator for each school manages the timing of course evaluations and also the return of the results to faculty members. Course evaluations open in each school according to timelines coordinated by the Dean’s office and in accordance with the format of the course.

Typical Timeline - Please note that this may vary by school. 

Evaluations open 7 days before last day of the term.

Evaluations close 14 days after the last day of term. 

Reminders go out to students every 4-5 days after evaluations open.

When do course evaluations close?

All end-of-course evaluations will close 7 days after the end date of the course’s term or semester. Beginning in Fall 2019, students will see a “**” in the Grade field in Self-Service while evaluations are still open. Students will be unable to view their final grades until 7 days after the course section end date and the faculty member has entered the final grade into Self-Service.

Course Evaluations results will not be shared with faculty until all final grades for the term/semester have been posted. 

What communications do students receive about the online course evaluations?

Each school administrator manages the communications to students through an automated email message. The email message goes to students four times during the evaluation process. 

What are best practices for increasing response rates in a face-to-face course?

• Announce to students in advance to bring their laptop or phone to the next session to spend time in class completing course evaluations
• Describe the value of end-of-course evaluations and how the results are used to modify future offerings of the course 
• Set aside time in one of the course sessions near the end of the semester to have students fill out the evaluation in class 
• Consider creating a QR code for students using mobile devices 
• Consider adding an additional question for students to address in the Additional Comments field for the last question on the evaluation 
• Consider requesting extra i-pod touches from your Dean’s office 

What are best practices for increasing response rates at a distance?

• Send an announcement as the instructor encouraging students to complete the evaluation 
• Describe the value of end-of-course evaluations and how the results are used to modify future offerings of the course 
• Ensure there is a link to the Online Course Evaluation within your Blackboard course site (For help, go here) 
• Consider adding an additional question for students to address in the Additional Comments field for the last question on the evaluation 

What are the benefits of online end-of-course evaluations?

For faculty, the benefits of moving online include:

• Faster turnaround of results of the evaluations to faculty
• Easier to read comments from students
• All evaluation results are organized in one location (smartevals.com)

For students, the benefits of moving online include:

• Ability to submit evaluations from a computer or mobile device
• Ability to participate in evaluations even if missing an evaluation period in a face-to-face course
• Confidence that lengthy comments are typed and thus easier to read

How can I add a link to SmartEvals in myLesley?

By default, all Original courses should contain a link to SmartEvals in the course menu. If this content is missing or if you are teaching in Ultra, see Adding a Smart Evals Link to your myLesley Course.