Course evaluations at NMBU play a central role in the work on developing the quality of courses and programmes. The evaluations are an integrated part of the course coordinator's ongoing work on the course, and is to help students be actively engaged in their own learning (see NMBU's Learning Philosophy).

It is implemented in three steps.

The purposes of the evaluations are:

• To contribute to the development of the quality of the pedagogical plans and academic contents of the course.
• To contribute to students' active participation in their own learning.  
• To function as a basis for decision-making when developing the course and programme.
• To help document the development work in the course and programme.

Implementation of course evaluations at NMBU

Step 1: Conducting a formative evaluation during the course

Evaluations are carried out during every course, each time it is offered. The course responsible selects the appropriate methods and time for the evaluation. The method is to be tailored to the purpose of the course evaluation and focus on surveying student perceptions of the academic and pedagogical course contents, the learning process and learning outcomes. The evaluation is to help students actively participate in their own learning.

The following checklist can be used when selecting a method and time for the evaluation conducted during the course:

• The contents, learning objectives and learning outcomes for the course
• The links between learning activities and learning outcomes
• The placement of the course in the programme
• The size and composition of the student group
• Representativeness 
• Anonymity
• The course coordinator's need for information
• The programme and faculty management's need for information

The results must be described in the course report.

Step 2: Conducting a end of semester evaluation 

A final evaluation is held in every course, each time the course is offered. The final evaluation is conducted during the last weeks of education (the two last weeks in the parallel and the last week of the block). The evaluation consists of seven graded and two open text questions. The Department of Student Affairs manages the evaluation via Canvas using the tool EvaluationKit. This evaluation shall be viewed in the context of the evaluation conducted during the course.

The results of the evaluation must be described in the course report.

Step 3: Conducting a periodic evaluation of the course/courses during a joint meeting

A periodic evaluation of the course/courses is conducted in a meeting every 3-6 years, with students, peers and other relevant representatives from the disciplinary community participating. The evaluation shall focus on the totality of the course, connections between courses and the place of the course in the programme. The disciplinary community can design this evaluation in the manner that best serves the development of the course. A periodic evaluation can be held for several courses at the same time, if appropriate.

The results of the evaluation must be described in the course report.

Roles and responsibilities

Course evaluations are the responsibility of the faculty and is an activity that belongs to the disciplinary community surrounding the programme. The faculty choose how to organise the work on the evaluations, with the following as a point of departure:

The Dean[1] has an overarching responsibility for steps 1-3 of the procedure for course evaluations being implemented within the stipulated frameworks and for results being followed up.

The course responsible[2] is responsible for:

• The evaluation during the course being conducted in accordance with the procedure.
• Periodic evaluations being conducted in accordance with the procedure.
• Feedback being provided to students about the results of the course evaluations and any improvement measures.
• The course report being filled out every time the course is offered and that it is made available. 

The Education Committee and/or Programme Committee[3] discuss the course reports at a time and in a manner appropriate for the faculty.

Students actively participate in steps 1-3 of the evaluations. Further student participation is ensured through student representation in permanent forums.

The Department of Student Affairs is responsible for the final evaluation being conducted towards the end of each teaching period (before the examination).

The Learning Centre plays an active role in preparing and maintaining the portfolio of methods for course evaluations during the course, and also provides advice and guidance about the methods.

Analysis of results and reporting

The course responsible makes an overall assessment of the results of the evaluations and proposes improvement measures. The assessments are included in the course report. The course reports are made available through an appropriate publication tool, where they can be read by all staff and students.

[1] Campus Adamstuen: Faglig leder

[2] Campus Adamstuen: Course block coordinator

[3] Campus Adamstuen: Local Academic Affairs Committee