Top 9 student survey questions to gather feedback

Student surveys are valuable sources of feedback for teachers and self-reflection for students. Surveys at the start, in the middle or at the end of the school year can help you plan effective classes, reach struggling students and improve your teaching methods.

Of course, not all student survey questions provide useful responses. Here’s a list of student survey questions that will help you gather actionable insights from your students.

Find out what type of subject material your class struggles with by asking students to rank the most important lessons from easiest to hardest. The answers will help you understand the material that’s relatively more challenging, allowing you to effectively modify your approach in the future. For example, you could hold a review session following that lesson. Alternatively, you could dedicate more time to improving the curriculum.

You can ask this question using a drag-and-drop ranking question type. Using lessons as your answer choices, you can quickly remind students what you covered in class.

These interactive questions are also fun and can prevent straight-lining (when a bored respondent completes a survey quickly by choosing the same answer for every question). Just be careful not to add too many answer options. Ten or more answer options may be too taxing for your respondents!

Homework reinforces learning, but some studies find that too much homework can negatively affect wellbeing. More than half of students, for example, say that homework is their primary source of stress. Students who spend more than two hours per day on homework are at risk of stress-related health problems.

Find out your students’ homework habits with multiple choice or slider questions. If any outliers appear (whether they spend very little time or way too much time doing homework), follow up with them to discover why.

You probably already know which classroom activities your students really enjoy, but do you know which are the most valuable to their education?

Ask your students using a multiple choice question. You can follow up with a single textbox question, asking why they found that activity so useful.

If you’ve written student survey questions before, you’ll know that the most helpful responses are often also the most specific ones. So ask students to list specific things that they like and dislike about your class using a comment box. Students can choose to address classroom dynamics, classroom management, the curriculum or whatever else they want to in this open-ended question.

Many teachers are afraid to ask students for personal feedback. Although opening yourself up to negative feedback is scary, seeking constructive criticism and taking it in your stride will allow you to reach your full potential in your job.

Before you ask students to offer suggestions about how you can improve as a teacher, ask them to rate you with a number or slider scale. Although the rating alone isn’t particularly useful, it can help you gauge your progress as you improve.

This question gets students thinking constructively, instead of just critically, about your class. Although you’ll have to curate your students’ suggestions based on what is and isn’t realistic, adopting one or more suggestions shows your students that you’re listening to them.

The advice that your students give to peers reveals a lot about their biggest takeaway from your class. When they give advice, what do they focus on: the lesson plans, the tests, the teaching style? This question reveals not just what current students think of your class but also the expectations that future students will have on their first day.

Which project, assignment or test gave each of your students pride in their learning? In class, we don’t usually pause to celebrate individual students’ successes, so it’s important for students to identify and articulate their own accomplishments. This is especially true given that pride in learning is closely linked to higher academic success.

If you ask this question at the beginning of the year, it helps you tailor your lesson plans to your students’ interests. Asking it at the end of the year encourages your students to think about their independent academic interests. You might also want to pass on your students’ answers to next year’s teacher to build continuity of learning between the two classes.

Student surveys are valuable education tools that offer insights into the student experience. The insight informs teaching methods and drives improvements in the learning environment. By understanding student perspectives, educators can create more effective and engaging courses and educational experiences.

Student feedback has a direct influence on educational strategies. Surveys reveal which teaching methods resonate with students and which areas need more attention.

For example, if many students find a lesson challenging, educators can revisit and modify their approach to ensure better comprehension. Regular feedback helps fine-tune teaching practices to meet diverse student needs, thus improving academic performance.

A satisfied student is more likely to be engaged and motivated. Surveys can identify what students enjoy about their classes and which aspects they find frustrating. By addressing these concerns, educators can create a more positive learning environment.

For instance, if students express that interactive activities enhance their learning, teachers can incorporate more hands-on projects into their curriculum.

Surveys are an excellent tool for tracking student progress over time. By regularly collecting and analysing feedback, educators can monitor student performance and satisfaction changes. This ongoing assessment helps identify trends and make data-driven decisions to support student growth.

For example, if surveys indicate a steady improvement in student engagement after implementing new teaching strategies, educators can continue to refine and expand these methods.

Giving students a voice in their education empowers them and promotes a sense of ownership. Surveys provide a platform for students to express their opinions and contribute to the learning process. This inclusion fosters a more democratic classroom environment where students feel valued and heard.

Avoid overcomplicating your survey with jargon or lengthy questions. Simple, straightforward questions are easier for students to understand and answer.

For example, instead of asking “How do you perceive the overall educational efficacy of our institution?”, ask “How satisfied are you with your classes?”. Clear questions reduce confusion and improve the quality of responses.

Mixing question types can make surveys more engaging. Use multiple choice questions for quick responses, Likert scales to measure opinions and open-ended questions for detailed feedback.

For example, combine “How satisfied are you with the school’s facilities?” (Likert scale) with “What changes would you like to see in the facilities?” (open-ended). This variety keeps students interested and reduces survey fatigue.

Short surveys are more likely to be completed. According to SurveyMonkey data, the median number of questions in a survey is 12. Surveys with 10 questions have a high completion rate of 89%, whereas those with 40 questions only have a completion rate of 79%.

Focus on asking essential questions to avoid survey fatigue and improve data quality. A shorter survey ensures higher response rates and better data. If needed, follow up with more detailed student feedback or interviews for specific groups.

Offering incentives can boost participation. These could be small rewards such as school freebies or entry into a prize draw. For example, “Complete this survey to win a gift card!”. Incentives motivate students to take the time to provide thoughtful feedback.

Students are more likely to be honest if they know their responses are anonymous. Clearly communicate that their feedback is confidential, e.g. “Your responses are anonymous and will be used to improve the school environment.”. This assurance can increase the honesty and quality of the responses.

Student survey questions play an important role in improving the student learning experience. By asking the right questions, you can identify what’s working and what isn’t in the classroom. This will help you focus on the areas that improve your teaching methods the most. Your students’ experience stands to benefit.