Course evaluation with EvaSys at Queen Mary, University

As part of its five-year strategic plan Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) required a system which would allow central collection and analysis of student evaluations for its 16,000 students to ensure rigorous monitoring and assessment of taught programmes. In 2010 QMUL contracted Electric Paper's EvaSys product, which provides flexible and automated course and module evaluations including paper and online surveys and detailed reporting. "We wanted to ensure that all students are invited to give anonymous feedback on every module and that such feedback is collated and used systematically to assure and enhance the quality of QMUL's taught provision," said Emma Wynne, Assistant Academic Registrar at QMUL. In the initial pilot roll-out, nine out of 17 schools participated, surveying over 380 modules. Results were completed within three weeks with an average response rate of 59%, with some modules as high as 73%. As the EvaSys system fulfilled the objectives of the scheme, senior staff responsible for taught programmes and QMUL's Vice-Principal recommended the adoption of EvaSys throughout the University commencing in October 2011. "The feedback from the schools was that the reports generated by EvaSys are rapid, informative and clearly presented," Ms Wynne said. "From a programme management and quality enhancement perspective, the presentation of results in graphical format - including School and College averages - was particularly useful in identifying areas of concern and examples of excellent practice."

