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eLearning Development and Support (eDS)
Evaluation of Teaching
Student Perceptions of Teaching Student Perceptions of Teaching SPOT
Students' Unit Reflective Feedback (SURF) Students' Unit Reflective Feedback (SURF) SURF
Student Perceptions Of Research Supervision Student Perceptions Of Research Supervision SPORS
Peer Review of Teaching Peer Review of Teaching Peer Review
SPOT Questionnaires: Ordering and Administering SPOT Questionnaires: Ordering and Administering Administrative Staff Gu...
Information for New SPOT Users Information for New SPOT Users New SPOT Users
Linking feedback from student perceptions of teaching to active strategies for teaching improvement Linking feedback from student perceptions of teaching to active strategies for teaching improvement SPOTSET
SPOT vs SURF SPOT vs SURF SPOT vs SURF
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SPOT vs SURF

Students' Unit Reflective Feedback (SURF) and Student Perceptions of Teaching (SPOT) are both surveys, but fulfil different roles. Why have two surveys? SURF questionnaire is used to survey all units offered by the University (except a few with special circumstances) and it is used summatively i.e. to 'sum up' at the end of teaching period, while the primary role for SPOT surveys is to encourage ongoing development of teaching, unit and/or course. Therefore the SURF questionnaire focuses on general issues related to any unit, whereas a SPOT questionnaire can focus on both specific and general issues related to teaching, unit and/or course. Both are important as means to improve teaching and learning at UWA.

Students' Unit Reflective Feedback (SURF)

Student Perceptions of Teaching (SPOT)

  • It is a standardized questionnaire consisting of six rating-type items.

  • Each item in the questionnaire is rated on a four-point scale (4=Strongly Agree, 3=Agree, 2=Disagree, 1=Strongly Disagree, and there is a Not applicable option). Open-ended questions are not included.

  • Survey results are communicated to relevant staff in schools and faculties, as well as the Executive of the University and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

  • SURF surveys are conducted for all units (except those with special circumstances) offered by the University.

  • Survey results can be used for further development of a unit, i.e. when the unit is offered to the next group of students.

  • Being a standard questionnaire, it allows aggregation of survey data for a school, a faculty and the University. Aggregated data for 'fields of study' is available on the web.

  • Survey results are a part of the evidence for the quality of teaching and learning experience in the University of Western Australia.

  • The teacher or unit coordinator decides the number and type of items included in the questionnaire (except where there is an agreement to use a standard set in a school or faculty).

  • Each item in the questionnaire is rated on a five-point scale (5=Strongly Agree, 4=Agree, 3=Neutral, 2=Disagree, 1= Strongly Disagree, and there is a Not applicable/ Don't know option). Open-ended questions are also included for written comments.

  • Survey results are sent to the teacher or unit coordinator. Release of results to a third party requires written approval from the SPOT user.

  • SPOT surveys are voluntary.

  • Survey results can be used summatively (e.g. to record teaching activities in applications for promotion, tenure or excellence in teaching awards).

  • If the survey is carried out early in the teaching period, the feedback loop can be closed with same class/group of students. Otherwise, teachers/ unit coordinators are encouraged to discuss survey results with the next class of students.

For further information regarding SURF, see http://www.catl.uwa.edu.au/etu/surf

For further information regarding SPOT, see http://www.catl.uwa.edu.au/etu/spot
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