Education & Training

Student Outcome Surveys

Student outcome surveys for educational assessment and program evaluation.

Introduction

Most educational systems are changing their priorities, and finding new ways to both evaluate students and create effective class schedules. In the past, the focus was always on tests – students were given standardized tests to figure out which schools were teaching students well, and which were not. Unfortunately, this evaluation methodology had its drawbacks, one of which was a higher number of students that were good at taking tests, but not good at the core skills necessary for a successful life.

The Switch to Outcomes

For schools and colleges dedicated to improving the learning experience, many have switched to different forms of student analysis, focusing on skill outcomes rather than test taking (with the exception of considering “test taking” a skill). These strategies use various types of questions, both qualitative and quantitative, to find out if students are graduating with important skills, such as: Ability to read and write legibly. Ability to form a hypothesis.

Ability to think outside the box. Ability to solve logic problems. Ability to seek help outside the classroom.

Using analysis tools, especially online survey software, schools are now trying to evaluate student outcomes beyond grades – finding out whether or not students are actually learning the important skills they need to survive in life, or only learning to survive on tests.

How to Use Online Survey Software for Assessment and Analysis

Once you’ve decided to use online survey software , there are many different ways it can play a role in your educational assessment. Some examples include: Post-Classroom Objectives: You can have students – or parents – take the survey after a specific class has been completed to see if students developed the necessary skills. It can be a part of the class or an optional survey, and the data can be reviewed online to compare it with the learning outcomes that were being measured.

Collaboration: Surveys are also an excellent way of collaborating with teachers. Most schools do not have a full-time assessment staff, and even those that do still need to collaborate with teachers, schedulers, and much more. Surveys can be a great collaboration or brainstorming tool to make sure you’re always getting everyone’s input.

You can also use online survey software to follow up with students’ years later, because what students do in the world reflect the education you provided for them. Making sure students are graduating with the skills they need to thrive is an important part of any educational opportunity, and with online survey software like SurveyMethods, you can make sure that your students are receiving the education they need to become successful adults or further their education.

Key Takeaways

  • Introduction
  • The Switch to Outcomes
  • How to Use Online Survey Software for Assessment and Analysis

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