Evaluation Instruments

IDEA provides three main instruments for student ratings of instruction. These instruments are presented and summarized below. At this time, the instrument used to evaluate a course at FDU is dependent on faculty status (e.g., tenured, tenure-track, non-tenure track) and course length/timing (e.g., traditional versus non-traditional semester).

Diagnostic Feedback Instrument

Length

The Diagnostic Feedback Instrument contains 40 questions. For FDU tenure-track faculty hired prior to Fall 2014 (when IDEA was implemented), the instrument also includes the 12 questions from FDU’s previous evaluation instrument (Endeavor).

These questions appear at the end of the survey. 

Questions rated on a scale of 1 (Never) to 7 (Always):

  • The student had to work hard in this class.
  • Each class period was carefully planned in advance.
  • Class discussion was welcome in this course.
  • The student was able to get personal help in this course.
  • The instructor presented the material clearly and summarized major points.
  • The grading accurately reflected the student’s performance.
  • The instructor answers questions well.
  • Exam questions reflect the content of the course.
  • Classes meet regularly and for the whole period.
  • The course materials (text, readings, equipment…) were helpful.

Question rated on a scale of 1 (Very little) to 7 (Very Much):

  • This course has increased my knowledge and competence in this area.

Question rated on a scale of 0 to 7 hours per week:

  • How many hours do you spend on this course outside the classroom per week?

Description

The Diagnostic Feedback Instrument is a comprehensive tool that provides both summative and formative feedback about student progress on relevant course objectives, instructor teaching methods, and overall impressions of the instructor and course.

Goal

To provide a comprehensive assessment of teaching effectiveness

Use

The Diagnostic Feedback Instrument is used to evaluate:

  • All courses of five or more students taught by tenure-track faculty (every semester)
  • All courses of five or more students taught by tenured faculty (fall semesters only, although tenured faculty may opt-in to have their courses evaluated in the spring)
  • All non-traditional term courses (i.e., any courses that do not follow the traditional term schedule) of five or more students taught by faculty at any level

Diagnostic Feedback Instrument Resources

IDEA page
Sample (PDF)

Teaching Essentials Instrument

Length

The Teaching Essentials Instrument contains 12 questions.

Description

The Teaching Essentials Instrument provides formative feedback about teaching methods highly correlated with instructor and course excellence.

Goal

To gather information about the strategies that instructors utilize when delivering course content

Use

The Teaching Essentials Instrument is used to evaluate all traditional-term courses taught by non-tenure track or part-time faculty (every semester) *Note: Any non-traditional term courses taught by non-tenure track or part-time faculty are evaluated with the Full Diagnostic Instrument (see above)

Teaching Essentials Instrument Resources

IDEA page
Sample (PDF)

Learning Essentials Instrument

Length

The Learning Essentials Instrument contains 18 questions

Description

The Learning Essentials Instrument provides summative feedback about average student progress on relevant learning objectives and overall impressions of the instructor and course.

Goal

To assess whether courses, curriculum, and programs are meeting their objectives

Use

The Learning Essentials Instrument is not currently a default instrument for any course evaluation. Tenured faculty may, however, opt to have all of their traditional-term courses in the Spring semester evaluated using this instrument.

Learning Essentials Instrument Resources

IDEA page
Sample (PDF)