Improve your SRT Response Rates

Easy steps for Improving Student Response Rates in your Classes

  • Communicate the SRT survey window and due date in your course syllabus, on Canvas, and during class.
  • Tell students why you value their input. Give examples of how you have implemented previous feedback in your course content, course format, or instructional style.
  • Enable the Student Rating of Teaching link in Canvas.
  • Take time during class or set a timeframe for students to complete the SRT. Students will find links to all open ratings for the courses they’re enrolled in by logging into srt.umn.edu.
  • Check response rates in real time: The Overall Response Status pie chart provides a quick visual overview of your response rates for the semester in real-time.
    • If response rates are low:
      • Send an email to students asking them to complete their ratings (see a sample reminder email below)
      • Place a reminder on Canvas course site
      • Remind students why you value their feedback
  • Consider offering a class-wide incentive if a certain response rate is achieved (e.g., If 80% of you complete ratings, a bonus question will be on the final exam). Note: Individual student incentives are not permitted. Per University policy, instructors should not know which students completed or skipped their SRTs.

Sample Reminder Email from Instructor to Students

Although students receive system-generated invitations and reminders, an email received directly from an instructor may receive closer attention.

Subject: Reminder: Please complete your course/instructor ratings

Content:

Hello to my [Course and Section] students -

Please remember to complete your Student Rating of Teaching (SRT) by the last day of class. Finding your active SRTs is easy:

  1. Go to srt.umn.edu to log into the SRT system
  2. If you’re not already logged into your UMN account, you’ll be prompted to log in
  3. You will see a list of any of your courses with available SRTs

I appreciate your time and attention - your honest and constructive feedback will help me improve the course in the future.

Thank you!