The Early Feedback Survey (EFS) and Student Feedback Survey (SFS) are used to gather information about student experiences at UTS. The SFS will be soon administered in a new system called ‘Blue’ for an enhanced survey and feedback experience to support improvements in teaching and learning at UTS.
The journey to Blue
UTS has used the SFS to gather student feedback since 2008 through an online bespoke system that was designed specifically for UTS only. This system is no longer serving our current needs or adapting to the evolving landscape of learning and teaching.
In 2023, UTS invested resources and engaged Blue Explorance to provide a new survey system that will administer and host the SFS questionnaires. Since then, the Data Analytics and Insights (DAI) Unit has been busy working with both Blue Explorance and ITU, setting up and testing the new system so that it is integrated with other relevant enterprise systems, and training key staff.
This week, the Early Feedback Survey (EFS) will be deployed for Autumn session subjects by the Blue system, which will gather student feedback for one week. The EFS is a ‘pulse’ survey that allows students to give feedback that teaching staff could use to make appropriate adjustments to subject delivery early in the session. The EFS opens on the 4th week of every main session (Autumn and Spring).
The late session Student Feedback Survey (SFS) will continue to be administered and remain open for feedback from students for at least two weeks.
What to expect
Switching to the Blue system provides:
- A consolidated online survey experience that includes core questions, learning mode items (SFS only), and free text comments, combined with teacher and tutor surveys
- Integration with Canvas to improve SFS student engagement and response rates
- A consolidated survey report that is available soon after the release of student grades (SFS) or after the survey closes (EFS) to teachers and Subject Coordinators.
- An automated feed of subject and student enrolment data (via CASS) for the SFS
The SFS Blue project team have been providing information and training to all Faculty SFS Administrators. Further training resources will be provided to all subject coordinators in the coming weeks, and all current resources and guides are featured on a SharePoint site. Please direct any enquiries regarding the new SFS Blue system to evaluations@uts.edu.au