Surveys are a great opportunity and tool for the improvement of the study process and environment. Students, faculty staff, and other institution members have a standard assessment criteria. At the same time, institutions can create a questionnaire to analyze the current situation and offer strategies to resolve issues. Surveys changed from telephone and paper questionnaires to sophisticated online technology. Even though the technology is fast and efficient, it is still true that many people prefer to skip responding or provide random answers. It is impossible to generalize or predict one specific reason why learners would like to avoid participating. Yet, demotivation to participate might involve: Burnout and stress; Disbelief or expectation of no changes; Personal mistrust rooted in fear of punishment for the expressed opinion; Many students deal with tremendous pressure every day. Forgetting about surveys is something that no one plans, but it still tends to happen. It is understandable that people would focus more on questions like “how to write my essay” and “how to prepare for exams”. Yet, the thoughtful and well-designed survey and appropriate timing can be a game-changer. You have to create a space for dialog and growth. Don’t use polls just for the statistics but approach it creatively. It is impossible to see a change when going by the same route. The right timing A day in a student’s life can vary. Some are balancing their jobs, and others focus on their studies. Yet, everyone would agree it’s always busy. It is easy to forget or dismiss the invitation link in the email or even in the study system, depending on the time one receives the survey. The low engagement of students can be due to the clash of holidays and mid-semester breaks or exams. The least responses you could get during last year’s projects and thesis writing. There’s a window of opportunities during the last week of classes. The right timing can improve engagement and increase learners’ participation. You have to calculate the time when attendees have fresh memory and enough time to take the survey. It is also helpful to send reminders before and during the surveying process and provide relevant time frames. Your understanding and respect of attendees’ time showcase your interest in their responses and builds a friendly environment. Regularity It is a common practice to provide regular questionnaires. People are more likely to participate in surveys that allow the institution to learn more about them and the study process. What topics can you provide to make students more comfortable participating in surveys? Mental health assessment: last year was pretty harsh on everyone. Always staying in touch with your learners would help you build mutual trust and understanding. At the same time, the student who knows they can get support would be more engaged and active; Teacher-student relationship: it is always hard to deal with the interpersonal climate in the classroom. Some situations require an outsider perspective and be addressed if needed. On the other hand, knowing that you…
