Student FAQs
Explore the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Students.
I am a Student
Are my responses confidential?
Student responses to course evaluations are kept strictly confidential. Once faculty have submitted their grades for the semester, they will see a report with only the means and standard deviations of the quantitative responses, as well as any submitted text comments. No student information is included in the report.
How is the evaluation conducted in class?
Your instructor may set aside a time to conduct the Learning Experience Evaluation in class. He or she should notify you in advance of the date and time. Because the evaluation is hosted online, you need to bring your laptop or any Internet-enabled device to class to complete it. Please consult your instructors regarding their policies on using electronic devices during class time.
On the evaluation date, you should access your evaluation form by following a link embedded in an email from c-evals@usc.edu. Alternatively, you can follow a link under the Course Evaluations tab in Blackboard.
Your instructor will select a student to proctor the evaluation process. The protocol for the student proctor is provided in the email(s) notifying you to complete your evaluation. The protocol is also provided below.
If you have agreed to serve as Student Proctor for the Learning Experience Evaluation, once your instructor has left the classroom, please take approximately 15 minutes to do the following:
1. Read the following statement out loud:
Learning Experience Evaluations are your opportunity to provide feedback to your instructor. USC and its faculty take these evaluations very seriously, as they provide valuable information that faculty and schools can use to improve teaching. It is important to remember that the learning process is collaborative and requires significant effort from the instructor, individual students, and the class as a whole. Please provide a thoughtful assessment of their experience, as well as of their own effort, with comments focused on specific aspects of instruction or the course. Comments on personal characteristics of the instructor are not appropriate and will not be considered. Evaluations should be completed individually with no undue influence by either a student or instructor. Should any inappropriate behavior occur, it will be reported to the Office of Institutional Research.
2. Complete your own evaluation.
3. Observe the evaluation process to ensure all students complete the survey individually, with no undue influence from either another student or an instructor. Should anyone attempt to assert influence over the process, please contact the Office of Institutional Research at c-evals@usc.edu.
4. Conduct a poll, using a raise of hands, to determine how many students have completed the evaluation. Encourage students to complete the evaluation until approximately 80% of students in attendance indicate they have completed.
5. Notify the instructor when approximately 80% of students have completed and return to your class.
6. If your instructor decides to continue the evaluation for a few more minutes, please continue your role as a proctor until the instructor resumes classes.
Your instructor (and any TA) will step out of the room (after the protocol is briefed) so that you can fill out your responses. This is VERY IMPORTANT. You do not want your instructor or teaching assistant(s) to be in class during the evaluation. Your instructor should allow you between 10 and 15 minutes to complete your evaluation.
Your instructor and the teaching assistant(s) will return to class after 10 or 15 minutes. Your instructor may choose to extend the time it takes to complete the evaluation.
If you are not able to complete the evaluation in class, please do so outside of class by following the instructions above to access your evaluation survey(s).
How is the evaluation conducted “in class” for an online course?
With a few differences, the process for online courses is similar to the process for on-campus classes. Your instructor will select a student proctor to observe the evaluation process when this is feasible. Alternatively, your instructor will inform you of the evaluation process. He or she may choose to leave his or her desk or black out the computer screen while you complete your evaluations. You should not be able to see your instructor. Similarly, TA(s) (if any) cannot be present.
What should I do if I felt pressured when completing the evaluation?
If you experience or observe any pressure from your instructors (TAs included) and/or your fellow classmates to coerce your feedback or to prevent you from expressing your full points of view, please contact the Office of Institutional Research immediately at c-evals@usc.edu.
Do I need to come to class to complete the evaluation?
You can complete your evaluation at any time during the evaluation period. Although your instructor will schedule a class time to formally conduct the evaluation, you are welcome to complete your evaluation before. The university’s goal is an 80 percent response rate, so every response counts.
How do I access my learning experience evaluations?
Once they become available, you may access your learning experience evaluations in one of two ways:
1. Email
You will receive three emails throughout the nine-day evaluation period. The first email will be sent on the first day your evaluations become available. A reminder is emailed four days into the evaluation period. The third and last email is sent seven days into the evaluation period.
All three of these emails contain a link to the list of available learning experience evaluations. Your link will say “Complete Your learning experience evaluations.” Click on the link to open a new window with a list of your available learning experience evaluations. Select the course you would like to evaluate and click the link to access the course evaluation survey.
View example List of Course Evaluations
2. Blackboard
You may also access your available course evaluations through your Blackboard account. Log in to Blackboard, and from the upper left corner of the homepage, click on the “Course Evaluations” link (see below). When you have courses available to evaluate, the links will be listed here. If you have no available courses, you will see the following message: “At the conclusion of each semester this area will display links for currently enrolled students to complete their USC Student Course Evaluations.”
What should I do if I did not receive emails with my evaluation links?
Emails are scheduled to be sent automatically. Try searching your inbox for emails from c-evals@usc.edu with the “Learning Experience” subject line. Please check your USC email address.
You may also want to log in to Blackboard and check your evaluation links under the Course Evaluations tab. If you still do not see your evaluations, please email c-evals@usc.edu with the following info:
Subject: Student – No Evaluation Link
Message: Your USC username and the five-digit section number for the course.
When do I fill out my Learning Experience Evaluations?
The window for course evaluations is calculated based on the session in which your course occurs. For most semester-long courses in fall 2018, course evaluations will generally be available during the last nine (9) days before the university’s final exam period. As an example, the end date for fall 2018 evaluations is December 5, 2018, which is the date finals begin. Your instructor can start the evaluation process as early as 21 days before this end date. Keep in mind that your course(s) may be evaluated at a time other than this.
You will receive an email at your USC email address when one or more of your courses becomes available for evaluation. As soon as you receive emails requesting your feedback, you can start filling out your evaluations.
What time do course evaluations close?
Each evaluation window will generally close at 11:59 PM Pacific time on the due date.
If my course is not on Blackboard will it still be evaluated?
Your course does not need to be on Blackboard to be evaluated. However, you will be unable to access this course’s evaluation via Blackboard. You will need to follow the links in the reminder emails to complete your evaluation for this course.
What if I have multiple instructors for my course?
If you have multiple instructors for one course, you will be able to select their names from a list and evaluate each one within your survey.
Who do I contact for help?
Email USC Course Evaluations at c-evals@usc.edu. Please provide the name of the course and the five-digit section number if possible. Explain the problem you are having and we will be happy to assist you. You may also respond directly to any course evaluation email you have received.