Course evaluations provide valuable insight into what’s working in a class and what can be improved. Yet, getting students to complete them isn’t always easy. While institutions may send out automated reminders, instructor involvement is one of the most effective ways to increase response rates.
With SmartEvals, instructors have several tools at their disposal—custom questions, direct email reminders, personalized thank-you messages, and QR codes—to encourage participation without adding extra workload. Here’s how each of these features can help maximize student responses.
- Make It Personal: Add Your Own Questions
One of the best ways to engage students in course evaluations? Make it relevant to them. SmartEvals allows instructors to add their own questions to evaluations, which means you can gather feedback on exactly what matters to you and your teaching style.
Instead of just relying on standard questions, try adding:
✔ Course-Specific Questions – “Was the final project helpful in understanding the material?”
✔ Teaching Style Feedback – “Did my lecture format keep you engaged?”
✔ Suggestions for the Future – “What’s one thing I could change to improve this course next semester?”
When students see that their input will directly shape how a class is taught in the future, they’re much more likely to take a few minutes to complete the evaluation.
- Use the Magic of Email Reminders
Students are busy. Between exams, assignments, and extracurricular activities, evaluations can slip through the cracks. That’s why SmartEvals makes it easy for instructors to send email reminders directly to students who haven’t completed their evaluations yet.
The best part? You control the message. Instead of a generic reminder, personalize it to show students why their feedback matters.
📧 Example Reminder Email:
“Hey [Student’s Name], I really value your feedback on this course, and your input helps shape how I teach in the future. If you haven’t completed your evaluation yet, it only takes a couple of minutes, and I’d really appreciate it! Here’s the link: [insert link]. Thanks so much!”
Students are far more likely to respond to a personalized email from an instructor they know rather than a system-generated reminder.
- Say “Thank You” with a Personal Touch
Another simple (but effective) way to boost engagement is to send a thank-you message once a student completes their evaluation.
This doesn’t just show appreciation—it reinforces that their feedback was seen and valued. It’s a small touch that can make students feel like their responses actually matter, which increases their likelihood of participating again in future semesters.
📧 Example Thank You Message:
“Hey [Student’s Name], thank you for taking the time to complete your course evaluation! Your feedback is incredibly helpful, and I really appreciate your input. Have a great rest of the semester!”
It’s a quick and easy way to build rapport with students while encouraging a culture of feedback.
- QR Codes: The Easiest Way to Get Instant Responses
Sometimes, students just need a gentle nudge in the right direction—and a well-placed QR code can do exactly that.
With SmartEvals, instructors can generate QR codes that link directly to course evaluations, making it easier than ever for students to complete them on the spot.
📌 Where to Use QR Codes:
✔ Display them on a PowerPoint slide at the start or end of class.
✔ Print them out and hang on the board, or smaller ones to pass out individually to each student
✔ Include them in an email
✔ Add them to a syllabus
Students simply scan and submit, eliminating the excuse of “I forgot” or “I didn’t have the link.”
Why Instructor Involvement Matters
At the end of the day, students are much more likely to complete evaluations when they see that their instructor cares about their feedback. The more instructors actively engage with the evaluation process—by adding questions, sending reminders, and making it easy with QR codes—the higher the response rates climb.
Higher response rates = more valuable insights for improving courses, teaching strategies, and student experiences.
So, if you’re looking to boost your response rates, you might want to consider SmartEvals. With SmartEvals, you have everything you need to get more feedback, improve your courses, and make evaluations easier for everyone.