Evaluation
Student evaluation of undergraduate modules and postgraduate courses is a requirement under College policy. The method of evaluation is at the discretion of the School and a variety of methods, including hard copy and on-line surveys, focus groups, meetings with class representatives and retreats are used to provide the opportunity for students to give feedback on their academic and educational experience.
A study of Student Evaluation processes in Trinity, which involved engagement with students, was conducted in 2016/17 to determine whether and how undergraduate modules were being evaluated at School level. The resulting report to Council recommended the adoption of mid-module evaluations and staff:student liaison committees to ensure on-going student:staff engagement and feedback to students while they are still enrolled.
A Procedure for the Conduct of Focus Groups for the purpose of module and programme evaluation was developed in 2018/19. The procedure aims to provide guidance to Schools and Programmes interested in using focus groups to conduct module and programme evaluations at undergraduate and postgraduate taught course level, or to use focus groups to drill down on issues arising from other forms of student evaluation e.g. online or hard-copy surveys.
Focus group facilitation training took place in February 2019, providing theoretical and experiential training to PhD students on facilitation and note-taking at focus groups. A panel of trained focus group facilitators is now available to Schools/Disciplines and other areas, and can be accessed by contacting the Quality Office at quality.officer@tcd.ie.
Schools are required to report on the implementation of undergraduate modules and postgraduate course evaluations through the Annual Faculty Quality Report, including the percentage of modules and courses evaluated, the response rate, repeat issues arising from evaluations, actions taken and methods to close the feedback loop to students. The results of these surveys are used to inform the School or Programme Self-Assessment Report (SAR) for quality reviews and influence policy development and change at local and institutional level.