Student Satisfaction Data

This is the second year I attended this session on student satisfaction data as gathered at Lake Superior College. They are using the PSOL survey from Noel-Levitz and have been directing their attentions for improvements, in part, based on these results. The survey measures both importance to the student and how satisfied they were with that element of the online experience. It's important to note that the survey asks students to evaluate the program and not a particular course. Whether or not students realize this distinction with every question is impossible to know.

Much of the survey adds quantitative figures to otherwise un-quantified notions that we likely share. Items like students find it most important to have a reliable Learning Management System and they find it very important to have responsive faculty.

Other areas suggest a mismatch in our efforts to promote collaboration when students rate it as only somewhat important. Of course, I would argue that the benefits of learning to work together only make themselves known years later.

Barry Dahl, the presenter, is setting up the Online Student Satisfaction Blog for the ongoing dissemination of his analysis.