DePaul University’s courses are evaluated by participants using an online instrument and process.
1. Design
The online instrument includes both quantitative and qualitative items.
a) Quantitative Items: Perceptions are invited (using a 5-point scale) regarding:
-instructor’s overall teaching effectiveness
-degree to which the instructor stimulated interest in the subject
-overall quality of the course
-degree to which the course increased the student’s knowledge/skills
-degree of challenge experienced
b) Qualitative Items: Comments are invited (using open-ended questions) regarding:
-the 3-4 best aspects of the course
-recommendations for practical changes that might improve learning in the course
-activities in the course that required students to develop greater writing competence
c) Additional Course-Specific Questions (Optional): Grad instructors receive an email message from DePaul’s OTE-Online Teaching Evaluation (by the 3rd week of the quarter) inviting them to add up to five additional questions that are course/instructor-specific if they wish. Data from these added questions generates a separate report made available only to the individual instructor.
2. Process for 4-credit-hour Courses (Ten 3.25-hr sessions)
For quarter-long courses, students receive prompts (via email and CampusConnection) to complete the instrument. These prompts begin during the 9th week of the quarter and end when the online instrument is completed or one week after the course’s last session—whichever comes first.
3. Process for 2-credit-hour Courses (Five 3.25-hr sessions)
For half-quarter-long courses, students receive prompts (via email and CampusConnection) to complete the instrument. These prompts begin midway through the quarter and end when the online instrument is completed or one week after the course’s last session—whichever comes first.
4. Results
Course evaluation reports are calculated immediately after the end of the quarter’s grading period. Individual instructors can access reports via Campus Connection beginning 48 hours after the close of that quarter’s grading window. Detailed instructions regarding how to access and interpret reports can be found at: http://teachingcommons.depaul.edu/How_to/teaching_feedback/OTE_video_intro.html.
Quantitative and qualitative reports (not including feedback from any “additional course-specific questions,” if applicable) are also available to program administrator(s).
5. Additional Informaiton
For additional information regarding course evaluation, see “Get Teaching Feedback” at http://teachingcommons.depaul.edu or contact the SCPS Assessment Center at scpsassessment@depaul.edu).