Memo from Gladys Chan - July 2008

July 2008

Dear Faculty,

I am excited to announce that we will be using a new course evaluation instrument beginning fall 2008. After much research and hard work a task force, in conjunction with our CLEAR office, identified an instrument that allows us to more effectively measure student learning outcomes.

Developed by the IDEA Center at Kansas State University, the IDEA system is unique in that it focuses on student learning. In this system, teaching effectiveness is determined by student progress on goals chosen by the instructor that are relevant to their courses, and faculty are then rated only on these chosen goals. (Instructions are attached, as well as an excellent article, on how to select the goals that match your class objectives.)

The IDEA instrument has demonstrated reliability and validity, and allows results to be compared to a national database of over 100,000 classes, as well as to courses within your chosen discipline. Feedback to faculty will include a diagnostic component to help improve teaching effectiveness for the chosen objectives.

What you need to do differently
Because this system depends on both faculty and student input, you will need to complete a Faculty Information Form for each course being surveyed. You will receive an email for each of the courses you are teaching, and the forms will be filled out on-line. (Please note that your course evaluations cannot be processed unless you complete this form.)

Also attached is a training CD that is an excellent resource, providing a thorough introduction to the system, detailed instructions on how to prepare for this fall, and explanation on how to interpret your results. Please take the time to watch the video. (See an online version here, if you do not have the CD.)

Further, we are in the process of developing three university questions to be used with this course evaluation. These questions will address the areas of university mission, integration, and diversity. We are also forming a committee to deal with several related issues, including policies for the administration of the instrument, and appropriately using the results in the promotion and tenure process.

Please be on the lookout for additional information that will be forthcoming in the fall.

Blessings,

Gladys Chan