The Idea Center: Free Pilot for Course Evals

The (non-profit) Idea Center offers a free trial of course evaluations for 25 classes. That pilot opportunity can also be extended for 275 more classes, at reduced fees. Finding prices requires some poking around the web site, so here's a direct link for the fee schedule for 2008 - June 2011. Scroll to page 2 for prices for online instruments.

Idea's approach to evaluation includes this language: student ratings of instruction. Those ratings may be in "short form" or comprise a longer "diagnostic." An administrative review of courses may be satisfied by the short instrument. IDEA's experience is that faculty seeking feedback for improvement in their courses (or for documentation for tenure and promotion) benefit from the diagnostic ratings.

The Idea Center is the outgrowth of Kansas State's IDEA Student Ratings System, begun in 1968. The Center was created in 1975 to disseminate the methods to other institutions. It became a 501(c)(3) entity in 2001.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Email contact: bold[AT]marybold.com. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as legal or professional advice. Bold is the co-author of Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. She is a consultant and speaker on assessment, distance learning, and technology.