The ideas, beliefs, and experiences of students impact how they engage with the learning environment. Educators might have detailed lesson plans and curriculum goals to hit, but the discussions and activities could be a mismatch if they don’t align with the needs of students. To ensure there is alignment with everyone involved in the learning process, more schools are administering student perception surveys. These questionnaires tap into students' experiences to confirm educators are on the right track.
If you’re new to student perception surveys, this guide is your go-to resource. Discover why these surveys are invaluable, how to design them effectively, and what steps to take for accurate, actionable results.
What is a student perception survey?
A perception survey evaluates how your students feel about the learning environment and coursework. These surveys are designed exclusively to collect student opinions, not assess what they know. Your administration may develop perception surveys and ask you to distribute them, or you may decide to collect this information on your own.
Perception surveys can cover a variety of topics that reflect the student experience. Here are a few sections yours might include:
- Rigor - ask questions to identify how hard they consider the class, especially compared to other courses.
- Interest - evaluate how engaging the material is and whether students are enjoying exploring various concepts.
- Lesson plans and homework - gauge how interested students are in completing in-class assignments and homework.
- Environment - learn how comfortable students feel sharing their ideas, asking for help, and approaching you digitally or during office hours.
- Effectiveness - challenge students to consider how the material they are learning in your class will prepare them for future studies or the workforce.
Your survey’s focus should reflect the needs of your students. For advanced courses, prioritize rigor and effectiveness to ensure students are prepared for professional success in your field. For introductory courses, design questions that explore engagement and the overall learning environment, particularly for students completing general education requirements or exploring their academic interests.
Why are student perception surveys important?
Student perception surveys are valuable because they provide insight into your course designs. Don’t guess whether your lesson plans are rigorous enough or your students feel safe asking questions when they are confused. Adjust your coursework ahead of the coming year (or even make adjustments mid-semester) to better provide an effective course environment for students.
For example, if the majority of your students report that your course is easier than the others and the work is uninteresting, introduce more advanced concepts that can challenge them. If you only looked at student grades, you might incorrectly assume that the high passing rate was because your students were very excited about your class. The reality from the surveys shows that your material is too basic.
Perception surveys are also beneficial because they reflect student trends over time. Uncover how student thinking changes from semester to semester, especially as you improve your lesson plans. These questionnaires can help you grow as an educator.
How do student perception surveys impact learning outcomes?
Student surveys allow you to modify the material you cover and how you present it to students. This can increase their engagement in your class and make them more receptive to new material. For example, if you learn from the surveys that your class is boring because the lectures are stale, you can incorporate more dynamic discussions that keep students alert.
The goal of these surveys is to improve your lessons and classroom environment so students learn more. You want them to take a stronger interest in the material and remember it long after the course is complete. This will make them more effective in their career fields or additional educational paths.
Engagement in your lessons will also benefit other professors. Students can arrive to class more prepared to learn because they will have the foundational knowledge to succeed. When every instructor strives to develop better lessons and improve the classroom environment, campus culture improves.
Best practices for creating a student perception survey
If you have full control over your perception survey (as opposed to distributing a pre-made questionnaire from your admin team), follow these best practices to ensure the data you collect is accurate, unbiased, and actionable.
- Collect data anonymously. Students who feel unsafe won’t share their opinions if they are worried about retribution. Anonymous responses can be harsh, but they are honest.
- Use a variety of question types. When developing your surveys, consider developing a mixture of agree-or-disagree statements, ranking options, open-ended questions, and other query types.
- Avoid leading questions. Do not try to push students to answer in a certain manner. Consider asking an objective third party to review the questionnaire before you send it out.
- Be strategic about when you send out the survey. Decide whether you want to collect data mid-semester and make changes to the class or if you are better off surveying students after the final exam and adjusting your course for next year.
- Look at big-picture trends, not individual answers in your data. Focus on themes and what the majority of students have to say. Don’t get caught up in a few comments from students – especially if they are unnecessarily rude.
When analyzing your survey responses, focus on actionable feedback from students who enjoy your class but see opportunities for improvement. Some people love to complain or think you are out to get them. These aren’t the comments you need. Instead, look for ideas and opportunities to change your class for the better.
How to use Poll Everywhere to conduct a student perception survey
Multiple digital tools can help you conduct a student perception survey and gauge the opinions of your students, but Poll Everywhere is one of the best options. These engagement tools can help you collect insights within a few minutes, allowing you to develop micro-surveys that measure perception throughout the semester. Poll Everywhere was designed specifically for the higher-education classroom which means you can easily find the tools you need.
Here are a few ways to use Poll Everywhere to survey your students:
- Mid-Course Feedback: Create an Open-Ended Activity to gather insights on how students feel about the pace, materials, and overall experience of the course.
- End-of-Course Evaluations: Create a Survey to measure course effectiveness, gather feedback on teaching methods, and plan future improvements.
- Daily Pulse Checks: Use a Word Cloud to visualize students' feelings or thoughts about a lesson or concept in real-time.
- Anonymous Q&A: Create a Q&A Activity to allow students to ask questions or provide candid feedback without fear of judgment.
- Classroom Preferences: Conduct a Ranking Activity to let students prioritize topics, assignments, or methods they find most engaging.
- Engagement and Interest Surveys: Ask students which aspects of the curriculum or teaching style they enjoy most to tailor your approach.
Develop your student perception survey today
Once you’ve designed a survey you’re confident in, it can become a lasting tool throughout your teaching journey. While you may refine or adapt it over time, its core will remain a valuable foundation. Poll Everywhere offers a variety of interactive Activities to inspire and enhance your surveys. With just a few well-crafted questions, you can unlock meaningful insights from your students.
