Online Course Evaluation (OCE) system

http://online.rit.edu/oce/
Documentation Best Practices
Online Course Evaluation (OCE) system is a fully web-based tool available to all RIT departments and colleges for setting up final course evaluation questions. This password-protected environment (RIT Account) has a secured area for students to anonymously fill out and submit their course feedback.

Best Practices

Online Learning's Online Course Evaluation (OCE) tool offers advantages over using paper surveys to collect course evaluations. The online evaluation system makes processing the evaluation results faster and easier than the paper based method, allowing instructors to view the results immediately after the course is completed. In addition, departments save printing costs and free up valuable human resources.

Response rates can be a challenge because students must take time outside of class to complete online rating forms. Frequently there is no clear motivator for a student to engage in this activity.  Strategies must be employed to increase response rates. In the absence of these methods, response rates are measurably lower.

Online Learning’s Online Course Evaluation tool has email reminders and a simple user interface that will help increase response rates. However, that is not always enough. The strategies listed below have been used both at RIT and at other colleges and universities around the country with very positive results. 

Push the survey

  • The Online Course Evaluation System is equipped to send 3 automated email reminders to students, including a web link to complete the evaluation.
  • Announcement of the course evaluation should be highly available through: the syllabus, class discussion board, email message, and/or course calendar.
  • Response rates increase when completing the rating form is a class assignment. This is true regardless of whether or not actual points are given for completing the rating form.
  • If a computer lab is available during class time, reserve lab for 30 minutes and have students complete the evaluation there.

Using rewards

  • Response rates increase when points or rewards are given to students for completing the rating form. Rewards or points can be awarded to individuals, or in some cases to the whole class (with the condition that a certain percent of the class must respond to receive points).
  • As an example, an RIT College of Science professor used the following point strategy. He had 30 students enrolled in his course. For every evaluation that a student completed, the entire class would receive 1/3 of a point. If all 30 students completed the evaluation, each student would receive 10 points. As a result, he realized a 93% response rate.

Respondents need to believe that their responses will be used

  • Response rates increase when students know about the student rating system and how to use it. Be sure to direct students with technical questions to contact Online Learning
  • Include a statement of value for the course evaluation process and instructions for completion in the initial announcement. Also include a “complete by” date.
  • Student-rating responses increase when students understand how rating results are used. Help students understand the different ways you and your colleagues use the student-rating results and communicate how student responses do make a difference.