The IDEA Center

Best Practices from the University of Saint Francis regarding their use of Local Codes.

• IDEA 8 Digit Code Instruction

Pilot

Beginning with a pilot (either with a smaller group of faculty or all faculty surveying just one class) builds some trust and confidence in the process, as faculty can have some experience with the process without the results being used for administrative decisions.

Flexibility

While faculty members are required to survey one major course and one general education course, they may choose which specific courses are surveyed.

Faculty Control

Faculty members are responsible for providing a holistic summary of IDEA results for their review materials. The evaluation process does not focus on the numbers but on the faculty member’s interpretation of the results.

Faculty Decision

Three different instruments were piloted and the faculty voted to use IDEA campus wide. Faculty also determined the purpose and scope of its use.

Communication

Use faculty representatives or IDEA Coordinators to visit student senate meetings, ask student leaders to visit school organizations, and sponsor school newspaper articles or advertisements that communicate to students the importance of the rating process and how their input is used.

Solicit Student Input

Established a themed display in the University Center that communicates the purpose and role of the IDEA coordinating office. Our slogan for students is "We count on your opinion." A guest book next to the display allows students to provide feedback.

Course Module

A section is included in the College Life Skills course that introduces first-time students to the IDEA system, its use, and the importance of thoughtful student responses.

Individual Sessions

New faculty members meet with an administrator or the campus IDEA coordinator to discuss the IDEA results and their use in either the evaluation process and/or for faculty improvement.

Group Sessions

A portion of the new faculty orientation introduces faculty to IDEA, the teaching/learning philosophy and the role of the coordinating office staff as the coordinators and resident experts in the use of IDEA. Periodic workshops, conducted for all faculty, focus on preparing syllabi and course objectives, administering IDEA, and interpreting IDEA results.

Pilot IDEA

 Introduce IDEA in a pilot setting and provide an opportunity for faculty members to receive training and feedback about their IDEA results.

National and Local Norms

In their teaching portfolios, faculty members include department and university norms (from Group Summary Reports) and national norms along with their own scores on Excellent Teacher and Excellent Course items. Review committees can help understand the relative performance of individuals when results are considered within the context of local and national information.

Summarize Data for Administrators

The Director of Faculty Development plots results for two summary measures (Progress on Relevant Objectives and Overall Excellence of Instructor) so that supervisors can see at a glance the scores of faculty who are in the top, middle, or bottom thirds.

Use IDEA in Conjunction With Additional Sources of Information

IDEA results are used in conjunction with a peer observation, syllabus review and rating conducted by a peer, and/or student comments. Faculty members meet with a peer or faculty development person to discuss how the available information are consistent or not, and what can be done to guide improvement efforts.

Focus First on Strengths

The IDEA report provides a mechanism to facilitate the initial discussion about strengths and improvement. The consultations typically begin with a discussion of strengths, which are highlighted on page three of the IDEA Diagnostic Form Report. Then, ideas for improvement can be discussed.

Faculty Instruction Sheet

A one-page instruction sheet is provided to the faculty, summarizing the important deadlines and administration guidelines (e.g., instructor leaving the room while students are completing the surveys). The Teaching and Learning Center serves as the single point of contact for IDEA, which helps facilitate responses to questions about administering the surveys and interpreting the results.

This process was provided by Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). It details how they distinguish roles and responsibilities of the Primary On-Campus Coordinator (Primary OCC) and Sub On-Campus Coordinators (Sub OCC) as well as the steps EKU takes in managing IDEA Online.
 
Eastern Kentucky University: Best Practices for IDEA Online Management

At the IDEA Center, we are proud to showcase the best practices of innovative institutions.  Feel free to submit your best practices on our contact page.