2.3 Progress Report Memo

MEMORANDUM

To: Dr. Erika Paterson, Instructor ENGL 301 Technical Writing UBC

From: Catherine Yu, Student ENGL 301 Technical Writing UBC

Date: October 28, 2021

Subject: 301 Progress Report: Introducing Mid-term Student Evaluations of Teaching to Increase Opportunities for Student Feedback at UBC

Intended Audience

This report is intended for the UBC Vancouver Senate, specifically Academic Governance Officer Jessica Iverson.

Purpose and Significance of Report

The purpose of this report is to assess the feasibility of introducing mid-term student evaluations to increase opportunities for student feedback and improve students’ learning experience at the University of British Columbia. This report aims to identify limitations in the current student evaluation system and suggest recommendations to improve student perception and satisfaction with the evaluation process. Improving the existing system will encourage higher completion rates of student evaluations which are of great benefit to the learning and teaching experience of students and teachers alike.

Report Objectives

The objectives of this report are:

• To assess the benefits and drawbacks to the current evaluation system
• To identify current student perceptions and satisfaction with the timing of the current evaluation system
• To determine the feasibility of switching to a mid-term evaluation system
• To provide recommendations on increasing completion rates of student evaluations of teaching

Methods

Primary data collection via an online survey targeted towards UBC students in various departments. Attached is the link to the survey questions being used to gather data for this report: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WK9G7gEpIKWacS

Secondary sources will include researching evaluation systems employed at other universities and conducting literature review to analyze the effectiveness of various evaluation systems.

Formal Report Outline

Attached is the link to the outline for the formal report: https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a-2021wa/?p=86278

Research Plan

In order to analyze the feasibility of mid-term evaluation systems and provide effective recommendations on improving the current evaluation process, I plan to:

• Primary Research:
  • Compose survey questions
  • Distribute the survey to students to be filled out anonymously
  • Report current student perceptions and satisfaction with the current evaluation system
  • Investigate the benefits of mid-term evaluation systems
  • Research the feasibility of implementing the new evaluation system
  • Compile data and analyze survey responses
  • Produce visuals based on survey data
• Secondary Research:
  • Identify benefits and drawback to different student evaluation systems
  • Research evaluation systems employed at other universities
  • Compile current suggestions for improving completion rates of student evaluations

Writing Schedule

• Oct 29: Post Formal Report Progress Report
• Nov 1: Send out surveys via email
• Nov 6: Complete secondary research
• Nov 10: Close data collection and compile survey results
• Nov 11: Analyze and organize data and start writing Formal Report draft
• Nov 16: Post draft of Formal Report
• Nov 19: Receive Peer Review and make appropriate edits
• Nov 22: Complete final edits of Formal Report
• Nov 26: Formal Report due

Thank you for reviewing my report. If you have any concerns of questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Enclosed:

Student Survey