HAVE A VOICE: Tell us what you think!

What's new in Surveys

Subject Evaluations Autumn 2008 - Use of Optional Question
The organisation has identified the need to use one of the optional questions to measure views on the international perspective in subjects. What does this mean for students and staff?

• For students: Subject evaluations will again be surveyed using paper-based forms in about 425 classes on Wollongong Campus and the Education Centres. The optional question will be used to clean more information on your understanding on internationalisation within your subject.  Question 7 will be "This subject enhanced my understanding of international issues in this field of study."
• For staff:  To access information and resoucres for admininstering the optional questions please click here

Student Survey Working Party
The Student Survey Working Party was established to review the survey mechanisms used at UOW. The key issues discussed were:

• Developing better methods in providing student surveys, reducing over-surveying and providing feedback on improvments.
• Reconsider the range of surveys used at UOW and reduce duplications and gaps.

Some of the changes implemented in Spring 2007: 

• The Subject Evaluation was changed from an online survey to a paper-based survey distributed in either the tutorial or in the lecture.
• The questions of the Subject Evaluation were reviewed and are available here.

Quick Links

• Survey Results
• Subject Evaluation Questions (revised 2007)
• Privacy Statement
• Survey Guidelines [PDF-166kb]
• FAQ and resources for staff (access to Intranet)

Quick Answers

What is a Subject Evaluation?
The Subject Evaluation Survey was introduced across the University in 2005 and seeks students opinions about the subjects in which they have been enrolled. While the survey was originally initiated as a quality mechanism, it is also a requirement for eligibility for the Australian Government's Learning and Teaching Performance Fund.
The Survey is undertaken for a subject instance at all campuses including all offshore operations.

Subject Evaluation Questions?
The survey consists of 10 standard and one optional questions where students indicate their level of agreement to a statement on a scale, as well as four free text questions, of which one is optional.  The optional questions allow Subject Coordinators to ask about an aspect of the subject which is of particular interest to them. For example Subject Coordinators may wish to evaluate an improvement made to the subject. The Subject Evaluation questions are available here.

How is the Subject Evaluation Different to the Teacher Evaluation?
The Subject evaluation differs from the Teacher Evaluation as it seeks students opinions about the subjects in which they have been enrolled. The survey is not specific to the teacher, nor is it linked to teaching performance processes. Therefore teachers names should not be used in the free text responses.

The teacher survey collects information specific to the tteacher and his/her performance as a teacher. Teachers nominate to participate in the teacher surveys, and the results are released only to the teacher concerned.

Can teaching staff identify me or my response?
Absolutely not! The reports distributed to staff will not include identifying information about who responded. The collated reports will be distributed to Deans, Head of Schools, the Subject Coordinator(s), and communicated to lecturers/tutors involved, and to others with responsibilities for University management and administration if required. Further details are contained in the UOW Subject Evaluation Survey Guidelines available Here

What does it mean to students?
Feedback provided through the Survey gives valuable information about the level of satisfaction students are experiencing with individual subjects. This data assists faculties in identifying quality issues affecting subjects as well as those subjects experiencing outstanding success.  Comments and opinions about the subject will be used in planning and improving the content of University programs. Feedback to students may be provided to students using the Subject Outline.

What does it mean to Staff?
The survey provides students with the opportunity to give feedback on their experience for individual subjects. The information is used by faculties to recognise successful subjects and to improve subjects where substantive issues have been identified. All teaching staff are urged to encourage students to respond to the survey and to remind students that the information they provide through the survey is used to improve the quality of UOW subjects.

Previous Results?
Summarised results of Subject Evaluation Surveys will be posted on the University website twice a year. Look HERE for survey results

Enquiries
Any questions regarding the Subject Evaluation Survey, including Guidelines, should be directed to Student Central on ph: 1300 ASK UOW or email: askuow@uow.edu.au 

Last reviewed: 3 April, 2008