GRAPHIC: Graphic depicts a chalkboard background with three emojis. One expresses happiness, the other sadness and the last one anger. Next to each is a check box and a check is on the box next to the angry emoji. Graphic by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II. — UHCL has an obligation to find out what is on their students’ minds during the semester just as much as after. As UHCL continues its first normal semester in so long, it is especially vital to see what is on the students' minds as they adjust to the post-pandemic world. Graphic by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II.

IMO: UHCL must provide mid-semester evaluations

By Troylon Griffin II, Editor-in-Chief Last updated Nov 5, 2021 384 0

It is a requirement for UHCL professors (and college professors in general) to provide end-of-semester evaluations to receive feedback from students on their courses. UHCL professors should provide mid-semester evaluations in addition to the current end-of-semester evaluations.

UHCL has an obligation to find out what is on their students’ minds during the semester just as much as after. It is especially vital for the university to find out what is on students’ minds as they adjust to 100 percent normal university operations and face-to-face courses.

Professors now more than ever need to know what their students are thinking, as many are teaching their first in-person classes in over a year. Grades are by no means the only indicator of how a student is faring throughout the semester and midsemester evaluations provide students with a better opportunity to express how they are feeling about their classes.

In addition to the practicality of seeking mid-semester opinions, faculty should consider the mindset of students during the middle of the semester. Students are likely to be more willing to provide feedback in the middle of their course term since they won’t be in the burnt-out state they’re likely to be in at the end of the semester. Many students are ready to move on to the next chapter in their lives as a course nears its end, which is why many do not complete evaluation forms.

Moreover, course evaluations are filled out online, and are usually released around the time of finals. This often leads to many not filling out their evaluations amidst the chaos that is finals weeks and creates a situation where many who do the evaluations are either extremely happy with the course or unsatisfied, which is not a good sampling for the professor.

UT Austin’s Faculty Innovation Center says mid-semester feedback lets instructors “check the pulse” of their classes halfway through the semester. Surveying students offers a chance to evaluate evidence of learning and can provide instructors and students alike with practical and actionable insights about what is working in the classroom and recommendations for improving learning and teaching. UT is just one of many universities that provides mid-semester evaluations, something that has been a common practice at universities like Berkley, Princeton and Penn State even before COVID-19.

Mid-semester evaluations will lead to greater participation by students, therefore providing a more accurate census of students’ thoughts during the semester. During an ongoing pandemic, such a need is only further necessary to ensure the thoughts of the students at UHCL are taken seriously by those who are here to ensure their education, safety and wellbeing.

Feedback is one of the most important ways universities, institutions and individuals can learn to improve how they support their community. UHCL should begin providing students with the chance to express their thoughts on their ongoing semester as it is still in progress instead of at the end.Mid-semester evaluations are and should be essential amidst the COVID pandemic and should be a commonality even long after the age of COVID-19 or any external event affecting university operations.

Graphic depicts a chalkboard background with three emojis. One expresses happiness, the other sadness and the last one anger. Next to each is a check box and a check is on the box next to the angry emoji. Graphic by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II. — UHCL has an obligation to find out what is on their students’ minds during the semester just as much as after. As UHCL continues its first normal semester in so long, it is especially vital to see what is on the students’ minds as they adjust to the post-pandemic world. Graphic by The Signal Managing Editor of Content & Operations Troylon Griffin II.