Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Mid-Course Feedback on Instruction Survey

The Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning recognizes the value of formative feedback in supporting instructors, enhancing students’ learning experience, and promoting transparency around course design and teaching strategies. Collecting feedback early in the semester creates the opportunity for instructors to have conversations with students about what is working and not working in a course. Together, they can discuss plans to implement changes in response to feedback and acknowledge changes that may not be feasible to make during the term. Gathering and responding to formative feedback can also reinforce and support students’ responsibility for and reflection upon their own learning.

Developed through a partnership between the Drake Institute and the University Registrar, the Mid-Course Feedback on Instruction (MCFI) survey is a voluntary program that enables instructors to collect confidential formative feedback from students and plan potential changes for the current term. Ohio State instructors of all courses eligible for an end-of-semester Student Survey of Learning Experience (SSLE) can opt in to the MCFI, which is administered by the Registrar using Blue (the same system used for the SSLE). To support more generative discussions during the feedback process, the MCFI is designed to be voluntary and confidential for both instructors and students.

Online Orientation

A 15-minute online asynchronous orientation to the MCFI is available in BuckeyeLearn. After orientation, instructors will be able to:

  • Discuss the benefits of obtaining formative feedback on instruction from students
  • Describe the process and timelines for implementing MCFI
  • Analyze MCFI reports and plan to debrief the results with students

Orientation to the Mid-Course Feedback on Instruction Survey

Encouraging Student Participation

Clearly communicating your reasons for conducting a MCFI survey is critical for encouraging participation. Below is a script adapted from Dartmouth that instructors may choose to use to introduce the survey. The script may be copied and edited to fit your class. You can share it in class, include it on a slide or post it in Carmen.

Introductory script: “Today, I’d like you to fill out a short mid-course feedback survey in Carmen. The information you provide is confidential, and your input is extremely valuable to help me gauge how the course is progressing at the moment — what is going well from your standpoint and whether you have any suggestions for how we might proceed for the rest of the term. It also helps me understand what and how you are learning. I will report back to you about the results of this evaluation.” 

To increase student completion rates for a formative feedback survey, you may consider: 

  • Providing students time in class to complete the survey.
  • Offering an incentive, such as participation points or extra credit, for completion.
  • Notifying students of important deadlines or dates (for example, when a survey opens or closes).

Survey Questions

Instructors who do not opt in for the Registrar to send students an MCFI survey may choose to administer a survey on their own via Carmen, Qualtrics, or Microsoft Forms.

The MCFI survey consists of two single response questions, and three open-ended comment boxes with directed prompts. The single-selection responses utilize a 5-point Likert scale: 5-stongly agree, 4-agree, 3-neutral, 2-disagree, 1-strongly disagree. 

MCFI single-selection questions:

  1. The instructor uses teaching methods (such as class activities, discussions, group work, projects, lecture) in ways that encourage my learning.
  2. I feel welcomed in this course (for example, instructor expresses interest in students’ well-being, welcomes students’ perspectives). 

MCFI open-ended comment prompts:

  1. What specific aspects of this course are effective in promoting your learning (for example, teaching practices, assignments, class material, class structure)?  
  2. What steps could you take to improve your own learning in this course?
  3. What suggestions (if any) do you have to help improve learning in this course (for example teaching practices, assignments, class material, class structure)?

Analyzing MCFI data

A research study (McGowan & Osguthorpe, 2011) demonstrated that: 1) reading formative feedback, 2) discussing it with students, and 3) making changes resulted in improved teaching and learning. The MCFI Analysis Worksheet guides you through the process of analyzing your report and planning to debrief with students.

Download the MCFI Analysis Worksheet

Debriefing with Students

It is critical to debrief formative feedback survey results with students. Drake Institute consultants can assist instructors in determining what, if any changes, they would like to make to course instruction or content as a result of feedback and how to present these decisions to students. In general, instructors should consider debriefing with students about: 

  • Changes that will be made this semester (for example, the turnaround time on homework assignments).
  • Changes that must wait until the next time the course is offered (for example, the textbook or readings).
  • Changes recommended that cannot or, for curricular or pedagogical reasons, will not change (for example, the number of quizzes or tests).

Consultation Support for Mid-Course Feedback 

Drake Institute Instructional Consultants are available to discuss all aspects of teaching, including course design, enhanced classroom techniques, course material development, and documentation of teaching effectiveness. For mid-course feedback, Institute staff provide a face-to-face consultation with the instructor in which we review student feedback and create a plan for discussing it with the class. 

If instructors have questions about the MCFI survey, they may join an upcoming MCFI Office Hours session, or they may request an individualized teaching consultation to discuss MCFI survey results.

Upcoming MCFI Office Hours will be offered: 

  • October 14, noon – 1 p.m.
  • November 13, noon – 1 p.m.
     

Register for MCFI Office Hours

Request a Consultation
 

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