Step 1: Add SMF questionnaire to the module space
Moodle is the University's recommended and supported tool for carrying out Student Module Feedback. To collect feedback from students on modules that they attend mid- and end-of-module questionnaires are used within the Moodle space.
Warwick Moodle team have prepared a template based on the following six core questions recommended by the Student Learning Experience and Engagement Committee (SLEEC):
1. Please name the one thing in the module which has had the most impact on your learning (open question)
2. Module content is delivered in an engaging way (rate scale (1 .. 5) from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree')
3. Feedback (on work, in class, or other forms) received on the module enhances my learning (rate scale (1 .. 5) from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree')
4. The module is well organised (rate scale (1 .. 5) from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree')
5. Appropriate support is available to me throughout the module (rate scale (1 .. 5) from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree'
6. The module offers an appropriate level of intellectual challenge (rate scale (1 .. 5) from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree')
Below is a short guide on how to use the template and to add new questions. More information about questionnaires and different types of questions can be found here.
Using the Student Module Feedback Moodle Template
1. With editing turned on, click on 'Add an activity or resource' in the topic/section where you want the Student Module Feedback to appear.
2. Choose 'Questionnaire' from the list.
3. Type a name in the 'Name' for the Questionnaire in the box.
IMPORTANT: This 'Name' will be the title of the link on the Moodle course page. We recommended using the Module code and a year identifier as this 'Name' is also what the raw data file will be named when it is downloaded. This is particularly important if you will be working with and saving multiple raw data files.
4. The 'Description' box, if you wish, could be used to display instructions, inform the student that the Student Module Feedback is annoymous, say how their data will be used and the time it will take, for example.
5. If required, you can choose to automatically 'Open' and 'Close' the Student Module Feedback questionnaire at set times by clicking on the relevant tick box and choosing a date.
6. In 'Response options', 'Type' should be 'respond once' (allowing students to only make one response), 'Respondent type' is likely to be 'anonymous', and 'Students can view ALL responses' should be set to 'Never'.
7. You can choose whether you want Moodle to send the student an email notification of their submission and whether you wish to allow students to Save and later Resume their answers. It's unlikely that you will require branching questions, but if you do, you can allow them. Submission grade can be ignored for the purpose of Student Module Feedback.
8. Under 'Content options', if you want to use, or at least begin with the Warwick University suggested questions, choose the template, 'Student Module Feedback Template'.
9. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'Save and return to course', or 'Save and display' to be able to preview the questionnaire.
10. The questionnaire should look like the following with further questions below in a similar format.
Adding new questions
If you wish to add a text collection question, it is recommend that you choose the 'Essay Box' question type.
If you would like to add a rating type question (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree) it is recommended that you use the 'Rate Scale (1...5)' question type.
On the quick view report of responses, the Rate Scale (1...5) question type, shows a numerical average out of 5 and the number/percentage of respondents who chose each option (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree).
Also, this question type exports data in the downloadable file as numerical data rather than in text form, thus allowing for more complex calculation and reporting.
NOTE: Other question types such as Dropdown Box and Radio Buttons, DO NOT show a numerical average and the data in the download file is exported as words (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree).
To add a new question to your questionnaire:
1. Click on the link to the questionnaire from your course page.
2. Click on the silver cog wheel and then choose 'Questions'.
3. Choose question type from the menu and click 'Add selected question type'
Essay Box question (for free text collection)
1. It is important to give the question a descriptive name, as this will be the column header in the raw data download file. This 'Question Name' is for your reference only, it will not be shown to participants.
2. Choose whether a response is required to the question
3. It is recommended to choose 'Plain text' as the 'Response format'.
4. 5 lines is considered a reasonable 'Input box size' for the text input so leave that as its default (you can come back to change this later if you would like a input text box).
5. Type the question itself in the 'Question Text' box.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'Save changes'.
Rate (scale 1...5) question (for rating questions)
The Rate (scale 1...5) question can be set-up in two main ways. The first, as per those in the Student Module Feedback template is to use descriptive labels, rather than numbers on the rate scale.
Each label is assigned a number which allows for a numerical average calculation to be reported on the quick view report of responses, and more advanced calculations to be carried out by having numerical data in the raw data download file.
To set up a Rate (scale 1...5) question in this way:
1. Type a descriptive name for the question. This is important as this will be the column header in the raw data download file. This 'Question Name' is for your reference only, it will not be shown to participants.
2. Choose whether a response is required to the question.
3. Type the number of scale items. This is the number of items to be used in the rate scale. 5 is the default. The scale items can be numbers (1...5), or changed to words, for example, Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree (instructions below).
4. Type the question in the 'Question Text' box.
5. To give the numerical ratings a worded label, in the 'Possible answers' box, type each number in the scale followed by and equals sign (=) and the label for that numbered rating.
If you would prefer to add a question with a numbered rate scale and items to be rated in a list, as per:
Follow these instructions:
1. The 'Question Name' is not so important when setting up a question in this way as the column header in the downloadable raw data file is each of the rated items, but do type a name for your own reference.
2. Choose whether a response is required to the question.
3. Type the number of scale items. This is the number of items to be used in the rate scale. 5 is the default.
4. Type the question, or in this case most likely the instruction or description of scale in the 'Question Text' box.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'Save changes'.
Preview and edit the questionnaire after saving
At the module page click on the Student Module Feedback questionnaire link at the course page, then click on the silver cog wheel to access editing menu.
To preview the questionnaire choose 'Preview' option from the editing menu. Another way to preview the questionnaire is to click on its link from your Moodle course page and then click "answer the questions".
If you wish to edit settings, edit existing questions or add new questions, choose correspondingly 'Edit settings' or 'Questions' options from the editing menu.
Other questions types available to use in questionnaires in Moodle are described here. If you would like further advice about using different types of questions, please email SMF@warwick.ac.uk.