Table of Contents:
Course Evaluations
Course evaluations will again be completed entirely online using the eXplorance Blue tool through the Office of Measurement Services (OMS).
Data collection windows are based on the central database listing for the last class meeting prior to final exams.
- Last 14 days of instruction – for full-term courses and those 83 days or longer
- Last 25% of class instruction time – for all courses 5-82 days in length
- Last day of instruction – for courses that are 4 or fewer days
This means for most UMD courses, online evaluations open for students on Friday, November 27 and close Friday, December 11, 2020.
Notifications and Accessing eXplorance Blue
Student eXplorance Blue Information
Students will:
- Receive email notifications from eXplorance Blue on the day data collection opens, in the middle, and shortly before the end.
- Can go to the eXplorance Blue Dashboard to see all courses currently open for data collection.
Instructor eXplorance Blue Information
Instructors and departmental contacts receive an email when data collection opens. Instructors:
- Can check response rates by going to the eXplorance Blue Dashboard.
- Will be notified via email when reports are available, approximately 3 weeks after data collection ends.
Improving Response Rates
OMS has put together this helpful information for instructors on improving response rates.
Teaching with Technology Retreats
Registration is now open for the Teaching with Technology Retreat, January 4 to 15, 2021!
The retreat sessions provide structured time before the start of the semester for instructors to create or revise their spring course(s). Instructors can choose to join for one or more days. Each day of the retreat will focus on one element of creating or revising an online course, informed by the UMN Guidelines for Online Teaching and Design.
Learn more and register at Teaching with Technology Retreat.
More Options for Support
- Fill out the Consultation Request Form. An Academic Technologist will contact you to set up a consultation.
- Join an Academic Technology Drop-in. Academic Technologists are offering eight drop-in hours per week through December 22. Get assistance with fall semester wrap-up/final grade questions, as well as Spring 2021 preparation planning questions. Times are as follows:
- Monday: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 - 11:00 am, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 9:30 - 10:30 am, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:30 - 11:30 am, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Got a quick question about Canvas and other Academic Technology Tools?
- Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, contact our UMD Academic Technology Assistants at [email protected] or (218) 726-8862.
- After 4:30 pm or on weekends, contact UMN Technology Help at [email protected] or (612) 301-4357.
For all other technology assistance (such as password resets or problems with your computer) contact the ITSS Help Desk at [email protected] or (218) 726-8847