Use of electronic surveys in course evaluation

The growth of e-Universities and flexible delivery in higher education may also lead to increased use of electronic course evaluation methods. The effectiveness and methodology of electronic surveys are discussed. In the graduate-entry, problem-based University of Sydney Medical Program extensive use is made of web technologies for curriculum delivery and evaluation. The design and response rates for web-based "End of Year" student evaluation surveys in the medical program are reported for the period 1997-2001. To be used successfully in course evaluation, online surveys should be infrequent, short, simply designed and free from password access, and de-identified results should be displayed to students on their completion of a survey.