1. eXPlorance Blue: The new electronic student course evaluation system

2. Background: Steps in adoption process:
AY 12-13/13-14 = Electronic Course Eval. task force
Spring 2014 = Fac. Senate recommends UAF adopt e-eval syst. = UAF admin. accepts recommendation
Summer 2014 = UAF signs a contract w/ eXplorance
Fall 2014 = Electronic Course Assessment Implementation (ECAI) committee begins developing questionnaire = eXplorance Blue
Spring & summer 2015 = Pilot testing
Fall 2015 = Full implementation of new eval. syst.

3. Response rates

4. eXplorance Blue: Student experience
Accessing the system - Currently:
Last 2 weeks* of class = students receive invite for course evals. from
Also, Blackboard splash page announces ongoing course evals.
Link in invite & on Blackboard = Students use UA login info  get into eval. system
Students receive up to two reminders* about evals. until all evals. completed.
* or proportionally less depending on course duration

5. eXplorance Blue: Student experience
Accessing the system in the future – Additional options:
Dedicated eval. Web site = Link to evals., FAQs, system update info, etc.
Instructors should mention eval. system in syllabuses & provide URL

6. eXplorance Blue: Student experience
Using the system:
After login, students reach the Blue portal; select course to evaluate.
Answer 4 types of questions for each course:
9 “core” questions = 4  instructor(s); 5  course (Likert scale) – may provide written comments after each
4 questions = Relate course to their status as student (Likert scale) – may provide written comments after each
4 questions = Replace IAS “yellow sheet”  more written feedback
4) Up to 8 questions (optional) = “instructor-specific”
Students submit evaluation

7. eXplorance Blue: Instructor experience
Creating instructor specific questions (optional):
2 weeks* before eval. period = Receive invite from UAF-  access personal Blue page through link (reminders will also be sent to you)
On your Blue page:
Add up to 8 questions to eval. for each course
May select from question bank and/or create own questions
Submit questions & log out
* or proportionally less depending on course duration

8. eXplorance Blue: Instructor experience
Announcing and/or working with evaluations in class:
No instructor control over student access to surveys
However, student invitation encourages them to follow your instructions
Instructor options:
Give time to complete evaluation in class (similar to IAS)
Ask students to complete eval. on their own time

9. eXplorance Blue: Instructor experience
During evaluation period:
Receive s inviting you to access your Blue page  monitor response rates
Use response rates to remind/encourage students to complete evals.
After evaluation period:
About two weeks after semester = receive instructor report w/survey results & students’ typed comments.
Cross-listed/stacked courses = one report w/ aggregated results

10. student → course → instructor correlation
Important notes
Instructor buy-in vital to new system’s success
Evaluation system imports Banner data to generate
student → course → instructor correlation
What is not in Banner cannot be used for the evaluation.
Example: TAs not listed in Banner cannot be evaluated
Course start & end dates v. important for system operation
Courses exempt from evaluation in Provost’s memo: pdf

11. Future eXPlorance Blue features
Dept. specific questions
Midterm surveys
Questionnaire revision based on results analysis

12. Info about ECAI activity & questionnaire