Many colleges have struggled with low response rates after implementing on-line course evaluations. The approach is inexpensive compared to the old paper based survey process, but all too often the responses are so limited valid statistics cannot be obtained.

Before moving to on-line surveys, Gateway Community College had purchased paper survey forms and off-site processing services. Although the response rates were high so was the cost and the turn-around time was painfully long.

Now the college has developed a new course evaluation survey process. Simple and fast, the new approach has dramatically increased the number of respondents, providing accurate analysis, meaningful real-time feedback and at a fraction of the old paper survey cost.
 

How the solution works:
 

A generic survey questionnaire was designed by college staff using Microsoft Word. The questionnaire is then printed on plain copy paper, as many as are needed, when they are needed.  Sets of survey forms are distributed to each class and completed forms are returned to the Academic Dean’s office for processing.
 

Surveys are scanned in minutes using existing desktop document scanners or multifunctional devices (scan and print).  Optical Mark Recognition software (OMR) automatically reads the scanned images and recognizes marks (filled bubbles), text characters, barcodes and written comments (image clips).

During the scan process the course number (CRN) is captured and associated information is retrieved from an Excel file exported from Banner.  The Banner file contains all CRNs, subjects, titles, instructors and enrolled students.
 

The software then tabulates the data, creates an item analysis and aggregates written comments into a single report.  The reports are automatically formatted in PDF and assigned a unique file name that includes the CRN, instructor and semester.  These searchable files are then archived and distributed to instructors.

 

The Academic Dean's office decided to procure the solution based on four criteria; productivity, ease of use, turnaround time and cost savings.