April 2007

Student Comments on Course Ratings: A New Lens
Who hasn’t been hurt, depressed, and otherwise provoked by student responses to those open-ended questions routinely included on course rating forms? Often the comments carry emotional messages, and often faculty respond with an equal amount of feeling.

Practical Tips for Preventing Cheating on Online Exams
For as long as there have been exams, there has been cheating on exams. Online exams are no different, although they do provide some challenges that set them apart from traditional face-to-face exams. These include a heightened opportunity to collaborate with others, greater possibility of using unapproved resources, and an increased likelihood that someone other than the student is taking the test.

Understanding Faculty Investment in their Institutions
What obligations do faculty members have to their institutions beyond their disciplines and departments? It’s a question that is sure to get a lot of play as higher education institutions deal with the pressures brought about by increased scrutiny from outside constituents and other factors such as changing student demographics and a shift from a faculty-focused to a learner-focused orientation.

Take the Poll!
Last month's question was, "Would you like to see Student Affairs work more closely with Academic Affairs on your campus? What is preventing -- or encouraging -- collaboration on your campus?"