Using Course Evaluations to Understand Student Learning
There are many peer-reviewed journal pieces and other publications supporting and critiquing course evaluation processes. The following selections focus on the use of evaluation results to inform teaching practice and program-level assessment.
Course evaluation tools at Duke
The Office of University Assessment manages course evaluations using a platform called Watermark Course Evaluations and Surveys (formerly EvaluationKit). We most commonly refer to this tool as Watermark. Our office works in consultation with school leadership to design and implement processes for standard end-of-term evaluations for participating schools under the university. To learn more about our policies and guidelines, or for Watermark instructions, refer to the links below.
- Process and policies
- Course list review
- Custom Questions Guide
- Course evaluation questionnaires
- Reports
- General calendar for evaluations
While Watermark is the platform used for the preliminary planning, administration, and reporting of evaluations each term, there is another tool available including historical data that precedes the use of Watermark. This is the Course Evaluation Historical Data dashboard in Tableau, which was designed in consultation with Trinity Faculty Affairs for the purposes of reporting of Teaching Summaries for instructor review.
Need access to evaluations?
By default, all department and program directors and assistants are given permissions to course evaluations in Watermark and Tableau. If your departmental role requires this access and you do not currently have it, you can submit a departmental access form. This form is managed by the Office of the University Registrar, and will allow you to request permissions for other platforms and tools you may need in your role, such as the Course Request System and CLSS scheduling.
Which tool do you need?
While Watermark is the platform used for the preliminary planning, administration, and reporting of evaluations each term, there is another tool available containing historical data that precedes the use of Watermark. This is the Course Evaluation Historical Data dashboard in Tableau, which was designed in consultation with Trinity Faculty Affairs for the purposes of reporting of Teaching Summaries for instructor review.
Watermark Course Evaluations
All processes for course evaluations such as course list review, adding custom questions, data collection and reporting are carried out in Watermark. This tool is to be used each semester by departments, instructors, and students.
Historical Course Evaluation Data in Tableau
The Course Evaluation Historical Data dashboard in Tableau should be used when assembling a Teaching Summary for instructor review. For instructions, visit https://admin.trinity.duke.edu/faculty-affairs/policy/dossier-materials-teaching-materials