Since its inception, the First-Year Odyssey program has used end-of-course student surveys to assess the extent to which the student learning outcomes associated with the goals below were achieved.
The program also sends out surveys to FYO faculty at the end of each semester. Both surveys ask for specific feedback, which has helped improve the program.
This end-of-course student survey is emailed to every FYO student after the course has ended.
Goal 1: Introduce first-year students to the importance of learning and academics so that we engage them in the academic culture of the University.
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neither Agree of Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| I participated in class discussions | |||||
| Class discussions increased my understanding of the seminar topic. | |||||
| Assignments increased my understanding of the seminar topic. | |||||
| I reflected on the topic of the seminar through class discussions. | |||||
| Discussions encouraged reflection on the topic of the seminar. | |||||
| Assignments encouraged reflection on the topic of the seminar. | |||||
| My experience in this seminar helped me understand the importance of taking responsibility for my learning. | |||||
| My experience in this seminar helped me make plans for future learning. | |||||
| My experience in this seminar helped me understand my personal goals for learning. |
Goal 2: Give first-year students an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with a faculty member to encourage positive, sustained student-faculty interactions.
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neither Agree of Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| I has interactions with the instructor in class | |||||
| I has interactions with the instructor outside of class | |||||
| I interacted with the faculty through written communication | |||||
| I was introduced to the faculty member's role at the University (instruction, research, service). | |||||
| The faculty member described the experiences that led them to their work at the University. |
Goal 3: Introduce first-year students to the instruction, research, public service and international missions of the University and how they relate to teaching and learning in and outside the classroom so that we increase student understanding of and participation in the full mission of the University.
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neither Agree of Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| I learned about opportunities to participate in research at UGA (e.g., Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, summer research programs). | |||||
| I learned about opportunities to participate in public service at UGA (e.g., Archway partnership, student scholars program). | |||||
| I learned about opportunities to participate in learning outside of the classroom (e.g., study abroad, internships, practicum, service learning). |
University-wide Course Evaluation Questions
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neither Agree of Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Was this course required for your degree? | |||||
| On average, how many hours per week did you devote to this course outside of class? | |||||
| Assignments and activities were useful for helping me learn. | |||||
| This course challenged me to think and learn. | |||||
| List the events you attended: | |||||
| What is the greatest benefit of attending the events? | |||||
| How did you learn about the events (e.g., instructor, FYO website, FYO e-mail, word-of-mouth)? | |||||
| What did you like most about your FYO experience? | |||||
| What did you like least about your FYO experience? | |||||
| Please provide any other thoughts or comments you would like to share. |
Given the positive results described in the impact reports, the program is developing some new assessment tools.