Ed Tech in the Library: Tools & Techniques

When paired with teaching, forms and surveys can be used to gather feedback during and after a teaching session, gauge interest in a topic, and check for understanding in real-time. Use survey and forms:

• As a warm-up activity to learn about the students in front of you.
• To quickly poll your students during instruction
• As a closing activity to check for understanding
• To collect feedback on the instruction session (workload, pace, structure, etc)

Here are some ways you can respond to student responses:

• Look for patterns. Did everyone answer your multiple-choice poll incorrectly in the same way? What does that tell you about their understanding?
• Solve easy problems first. Did everyone say you speak too softly? Too fast?

• Prioritize your questions and limit the items you are asking students for responses on.

• Use plain language whenever possible or define jargon where appropriate. 

• Consider the information you are trying to receive from the survey and time its distribution accordingly. It is recommended that surveys be completed during class time to encourage maximum participation.

• Explain to students the purpose of the survey and your desire to hear their true feelings. Include examples of "mean" feedback vs "constructive" feedback.

• Decide ahead of time if you need students' names for follow-up. If you do not, anonymity may lead to more honest answers.

• Ask some of the following questions when you're constructing and proofing your survey:
  • Is the question necessary/useful?
    • Think about what you are trying to learn with the data, does it matter exactly how many English courses they have taken or will a range suffice?
  • Does the question ask only one thing?
    • Consider breaking the following question down into two different questions: What do you think of the new hours and equipment?
  • Is the question sufficiently general? Does the question need to be more specific?
    • Think about possible answers to your question, are they all helpful? Consider piloting your survey to find out.
  • Is the question biased or loaded?
    • "What do you see as the benefits of having a librarian teach literature searching" will give you biased survey results
  • Will the respondent answer truthfully?
    • Some people don't like to disclose how much time they spent working on an assignment or studying because of social desirability. Be sure to write your question in a way that does not suggest one answer is "better" or indicates "good behavior."
  • ​Can the question be misunderstood?
    • What do you mean when you ask a question about library use
  • How personal or direct is the wording?
    • Consider avoiding questions that asks for personally identifying information. 

Sample Warm-Up Survey Questions

• How would you rank your skills doing the following...
• How would you define...
• Where do you usually start your research?
• How often do you use Library spaces and resources?
• What is your topic for this assignment?

Sample Follow-Up Survey Questions

• What is something you learned during this session?
• What is something that you wish you learned during this session?
• How will you use what you learned today in the future?
• What is something you learned about today that you don't think you'll use in the future?
• Is there a habit I need to work on improving to be a better teacher in the future?