SELFI Guidance and Protocol
Students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of a course and instructor are an important source of information for continuous improvement in the learning environment and student experience. Seeking evaluation from students is an important part of establishing a culture of feedback at UND and models for students the value of an open and non-defensive response to evaluation. Student feedback also supports lifelong learning for faculty and provides an opportunity to hone one’s teaching craft. Finally, the collection and use of student evaluation data demonstrates respect for the student voice and supports the engagement of students’ learning.
The SELFI (Student Evaluation of Learning and Feedback for Instructors) is one way students can provide constructive feedback to instructors. The SELFI was adopted as our standard student evaluation instrument in 2016. The adoption process was initiated, organized, and completed by the University Senate through subcommittees which assisted with the University’s move from the USAT to the electronic SELFI.
The SELFI (composed of 24 core questions and 3 optional, personalized questions) provides a method to collect and report student ratings of instruction in areas that are broadly applicable to all UND classes (including clinical education, practicums, and internships). The results are used by faculty to make improvements in their courses, by departments in annual performance evaluations and as part of the tenure and promotion review process.
SBHE policy 605.1 section 8 requires that evaluations of all teaching faculty must include significant student input. Therefore, from Summer 2020 forward, all UND courses are required to utilize the SELFI and instructors will not have an opportunity to “opt-out” of administering the SELFI within their courses. Faculty and administrators are reminded that student evaluations are only one of many sources of data used to evaluate teaching effectiveness. All faculty are encouraged to use peer observation, syllabi review, and other discipline-relevant methods to demonstrate effectiveness for the purpose of annual evaluation.
The greater the student response rate, the greater the reliability of the data, so instructors should encourage their students to complete the SELFI for their courses. If a SELFI question does not apply to a particular course, students can use the ‘N/A’ (not applicable) option. Instructors can add up to three additional, personalized questions to the SELFI core questions. It is also appropriate to inform students that substantive and constructive feedback related to teaching is welcome, and that evaluation of non-teaching characteristics (such as appearance or personality) is inappropriate and will limit the impact of the student’s feedback.
If you have questions and/or concerns regarding how SELFI questions may apply to your course, or if you would like advice about how to increase your SELFI response rate and scores, contact TTaDA at 777-3325 or visit: https://und.edu/analytics-and-planning/selfi/selfi-resources.html.
From the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
January 2020