Course Evaluations That Count: Turning Student Feedback into Teaching Insights

Facilitators:
Yuxin Tu, Senior Manager, Evaluation and Assessment, CTSI
Bridgid McNulty, Project Manager, Course Evaluations, CTSI 
Cora McCloy, Educational Developer, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, CTSI 

Course evaluations are one of the best windows into the student experience — if you know how to use them. Together with other sources of feedback, they’re a key way we hear student voices and understand how teaching practices are landing in the classroom. When approached thoughtfully, course evaluations can become a powerful tool for reflection, growth, and even recognition.

This one-hour, virtual session is designed especially for instructors new to U of T, but anyone interested in making better use of student feedback is welcome. We’ll walk through the course evaluation framework and share practical ways to turn student feedback into something useful. Along the way, you’ll discover tools and supports available to you, plus strategies to help your students provide more constructive feedback.

By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:

• Find your way through U of T’s course evaluation cycle and policies without getting lost in the details
• Access the tools and supports available on the Course Evaluation website
• Position course evaluations in your course so students understand their purpose and value
• Introduce students to the basics of giving more thoughtful, constructive feedback
• Turn student feedback into evidence you can use — alongside other forms of feedback and data — for teaching reflection, dossiers, or award files

How will the session work? The webinar will include short interactive activities, plus plenty of time (about 20 minutes) at the end for your questions and discussion.