Now that this information has been shared with the Faculty Senate and at the PC meeting, we’re reaching out with the latest update on the Student Feedback Survey tool we’ve been developing for districtwide deployment. I apologize if this is a duplicate email, but we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anyone in the messaging. First of all, I want to send out a special thank you to all the committee members who have helped develop and polish the tool, gather feedback from colleagues and constituent areas, and navigate questions that have emerged as this process has evolved. Blanca Aguirre, Daniel Couch, Garth Fleming, Jonathan Christie, Kathleen Veldhuisen, R. Taylor, Traci Hodgson, and Zac Kohl, I appreciate you all very much!
Let’s start with the WHY
Students’ voices help inform us on how we can grow professionally and as an organization. By systematically gathering and thoughtfully analyzing students’ perspectives on their learning experiences, we gain direct insight into what is working well in our courses and programs and where meaningful improvement is needed. This feedback loop is essential for continuous improvement in teaching practices, course design, and institutional effectiveness. When we actively listen to students and use their input to drive positive change, we demonstrate our commitment to student-centered education and our dedication to creating the best possible learning environment. Moreover, this feedback helps instructors reflect on their practice, supports evidence-based decision-making at the program level, and contributes to a culture of ongoing professional development across the college.
WHAT
The Student “Valuing Opinions to Improve the College Experience (V.O.I.C.E.)” Survey is a comprehensive feedback instrument designed to capture multiple dimensions of the student learning experience (see link). This survey is structured around four key areas: instructor and learning experience, course design, student self-reflection, and open-ended comments. These questions have been carefully chosen, revised, and vetted by a committee of colleagues in both faculty and administrative roles at the institution. The survey includes carefully crafted Likert-scale questions that assess instructor effectiveness, classroom climate, course organization, alignment between activities and learning outcomes, and the appropriateness of course workload. Additionally, it includes student self-reflection items that encourage them to reflect on their own engagement, effort, and expectations. The open-ended comment section provides students the opportunity to share narrative feedback about what helped them learn, suggestions for improvement, advice for future students, feedback on college facilities, and any other aspects of their experience they wish to address. Combining quantitative ratings with qualitative comments provides a rich, nuanced picture of the student experience that can inform targeted improvements at the individual, course, program, and institutional levels.
This survey is intended solely to improve teaching, learning, and the overall student experience, and it is not part of the formal faculty evaluation process. Supervisors and administrators will not have access to individual survey responses, and the data will not be used to make personnel decisions about instructors. In addition, supervisors and administrators will not have access to aggregated data from small programs or course groupings where individual instructors could reasonably be identified, to protect the confidentiality of faculty in smaller departments. Instead, results are reviewed at the course and program level to support reflection, professional growth, and continuous improvement in how we serve students.
Future iterations of this survey will also include questions about student support services and college facilities. These additions will help us better understand how well resources such as advising, tutoring, technology, and physical learning spaces are meeting students’ needs and where improvements are needed to enhance the overall college experience.
HOW
The V.O.I.C.E. survey will be administered through a dual-access model designed to maximize student participation while maintaining flexibility for both students and instructors. There will be two ways for students to take the survey. First, they can access a personalized link sent directly to their college email address, allowing them to complete the survey at their convenience from any location. Second, each instructor will receive one link. The first question in that link is “What is the CRN?” Instructors would need to provide that information to students in class (or via a timed Canvas assignment). Responses will be accepted for that CRN for the first 15 minutes after the first response is received. If a CRN receives responses through both distribution methods, the CRN distribution method takes priority to eliminate duplication or potential “ballot stuffing”, as any responses received through the CRN method will not be identifiable.
Instructors are encouraged to dedicate a few minutes of class time to explain the importance of the survey and allow students to complete it, as in-class completion often results in higher response rates. However, the email link ensures that students who are absent, prefer to complete the survey outside of class, need more time to reflect on their responses, or are taking a completely online course can still participate. All responses are collected anonymously, and instructors can only view aggregated results after final grades have been submitted, ensuring that students can provide honest, candid feedback without concern about grade impact.
WHEN
The V.O.I.C.E. survey will be open for student responses from Monday, February 23, through Monday, March 9, providing a two-week window for completion. This timing is strategically chosen to occur late enough in the term that students have substantial experience with the course, instructor, and learning environment to provide informed feedback, yet early enough that instructors and programs can receive results in time to make adjustments for future terms. The two-week duration balances the need to gather sufficient responses with the practical constraints of the academic calendar. During this period, students may receive reminder emails to encourage participation, and instructors may provide additional reminders in class or via Canvas announcements. For online courses, instructors may consider tying the survey to an assignment or making it a prerequisite for opening a final assignment. Soon after the survey closes on March 9, responses will be compiled and prepared for faculty review after final grades are submitted, maintaining the integrity of the anonymous feedback process.
This will be an iterative process that we continue to refine in future terms and in the years to come. We appreciate your partnership and willingness to reflect on the student voice together.
Below is a link and QR code if you’d like students to complete the survey during class time. The link and QR code will require them to input the CRN for the class:
https://survey.co1.qualtrics.c
If you have any questions please contact Chris Kato or Francisco Saldivar. Thank you!