Intake Surveys and Midcourse Surveys

Intake Surveys

An Intake Survey allows you a change to get to know your students before your class starts.

Consider asking:

• What is your name and pronouns?
• What is your major? Why are you interested in this subject area?
• What kind of activities are you involved in at Luther?
• Have you used Zoom, Katie, Padlet, (fill in your planned technology)? How comfortable are you with this technology?

Consider asking them what works for them in the classroom. Ask them what they learned about themselves as students. This helps set the stage for success. Here are some suggestions:

• What is one thing you have learned about yourself as a student since starting at Luther?
• What can I do as your professor to support your success this term?
• What do you value most in a learning environment?
• What kinds of things will help you to be most successful?

Student Intake Survey Examples

Here are some examples of Luther College student intake surveys.

Paideia Intake Form (Marie Drews)

Notice the framing of Marie’s questions—students name their academic success and pinpoint where they might need support. This is particularly helpful for these first semester students, who might be feeling anxious about the start of their college experience.

Technology Information Form (Marie Drews)

The survey was successful in both setting expectations and getting helpful ideas regarding student experiences as she finished building the course. Although it was developed for our September Term in 2020, the questions are still useful regardless of our teaching modality.

ASSET Inventory Form (Holly Moore)

Holly uses this survey to presort students into learning groups. She tries to make diverse groups in terms of learning and leadership styles, as well as academic background and course-specific preparation.

Intake Survey with an Eye towards Equity and Inclusion (David Thompson)

Note: David has edited this form to now say “Your Preferred Name” and “Your Pronouns” rather than preferred pronouns. I invite you to do the same.

Mid-semester Physical, Mental, and Social Health Check in

When we pivoted online due to COVID-19, several faculty sent out weekly check ins. Sometimes they were worth a couple of points of participation credit. Students remarked that they found these very helpful, as it helped maintain their feelings of connectedness to Luther faculty and this place. Even in a normal semester, these check-ins are valuable for creating community and connection.

Midterm Course Evaluation

Midterm Course Evaluations are a powerful tool in an instructor’s tool kit. They allow you to solicit student feedback while there is still time to correct course.

Midterm Course Evaluations need not be complicated. You can simply ask the following in an anonymous Google Form:

• What about our class structure is working well to support your learning?
• What isn’t working so well?
• What can you do to reach your academic goals during the second half of the semester?
• What can we do to support you in that work?
• Do you feel included and supported in our classroom environment? Why or why not?
• Is there anything you would like to share regarding our class, my teaching, or the overall environment?

Here’s an example of a Midterm course evaluation that you can use in your classes. Please make a copy by clicking on the three buttons on the upper right, and editing that copy with your specific course information.

INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM EXAMPLE 1