Student Course Experience Survey
Staff in the Office of Teaching & Learning set up and administer the NDSU official Student Course Experience Surveys (SCES). SCES are offered for each course at NDSU, typically three weeks before finals.
In 2020 - 2021, Faculty Senate reviewed and modified the standard student evaluation questions.
For more information on interpreting and using SCES data to improve your course check out the Office of Teaching and Learning's instructional resources.
Response Rate Tips
Departments and instructors are encouraged to remind students to check their NDSU email and ask them to provide course experience feedback using the SCES link.
The surveys are also accessible through Blackboard using the SmartEvals link that is built into the course template. If you don’t see the link, it can be readded using these instructions: https://kb.ndsu.edu/it/146702
It may help to reassure students that their responses are confidential, explain how results are used, and let them know their voice matters. The Office of Teaching and Learning offers campus-wide communication and incentives for students to complete their surveys
Collecting Additional Information
Although additional items are no longer able to be added to the SCES, there are several ways for instructors to collect additional, useful information from their students. In addition to open class time discussions, set up a Qualitricsquestionaire, or use the survey tool in Blackboard.
Standard NDSU SCES Questions
The following Likert scale questions are used on all NDSU Student Course Experience surveys. Students are asked to rate each of these items on a 5-point scale. The Office of Teaching and Learning automatically adds these questions to the SCES.
1. This instructor provided well-defined course objectives.
2. This instructor provided content and materials that were clear and organized.
3. I understand how my grades were assigned in this course
4. I met or exceeded the course objectives given for this course.
5. The instructor was available to assist students outside of class.
6. The instructor provided feedback to me in a timely manner.
7. The instructor provided feedback that helped me learn.
8. The instructor set and maintained high standards that students must meet.
9. The physical environment was conducive to learning.
The Student Course Experience Survey serves several important functions at NDSU. Instructors use this data to improve course design, adjust teaching strategies, and document their teaching effectiveness. As you complete this survey, you will be prompted to reflect on several aspects of your learning experience. We encourage you to provide comments on what was most helpful for you as a learner and what the instructor could do to strengthen the course in the future.