Mid-Semester Student Feedback

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Part of the Mid-Semester Student Feedback Report. Click the link below to read the entire report.

As a way to help instructors capture student feedback mid-semester, CATE is piloting a midterm student survey process based on the Critical Teaching Behaviors Framework.

The Value of Mid-Semester Student Feedback

Research across higher education consistently finds that mid-course feedback can produce meaningful, timely improvements in teaching performance, student motivation, student engagement, and end-of-course evaluations. Not only can the feedback prompt faculty to adjust practices mid-semester (Rohl, et al., 2025), but students also report greater motivation and engagement (Lewis, 2001; Hurney, et al., 2021). Meta-analyses show statistically significant improvements in both student attitudes and learning behaviors. Furthermore, instructors who act on the feedback tend to earn modest but consistent gains on end-of-course evaluations compared to instructors who don’t (Sozer, et al., 2019; Knol, et al., 2013).

 

Critical Teaching Behaviors Midterm Feedback Instrument (CTB-MFI)

The CTB framework identifies six (6) categories of effective teaching behaviors: align, include, engage, assess, integrate technology, and reflect, that have been shown by research to improve student learning. The CTB-MFI was selected/adapted for CATE’s Mid-Semester Student Feedback Service, precisely because the survey asks students to identify practices that not only have a demonstrated impact on student learning, but that are readily observable by students. In addition, a recent study showed the CTB-MFI tool to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure effective teaching. For more about the mid-semester survey, see a preview of the survey questions here.

 

What UIC instructors said about MSSF:

We had 17 instructors from 7 colleges participate in MSSF in Fall 2025, and 12 instructors completed our semester-end survey:

  • 100% found the MSSF process somewhat or extremely helpful to their teaching
  • 11/12 changed or plan to change their teaching practices as a result of the program

Instructors valued both the detailed reports, as well as the debrief to help them better understand the student feedback and identify actionable steps for moving forward.

 

Mid-Semester Student Feedback Process

  1. Instructors enroll and provide course information by Friday, January 30, 2026.
  2. CATE schedules a 10-15 minute visit to the classroom near the mid-semester point.
  3. CATE visits the classroom to deploy the survey.
  4. CATE analyzes the quantitative and qualitative results and produces a report for the instructor.
  5. CATE debriefs with the instructor to discuss results and next steps.
  6. The instructor discusses the results with students.

If you are interested in receiving mid-semester feedback for Spring 2026, please complete the interest form below by Friday, January 30, and a CATE team member will be in touch with you shortly. We look forward to connecting with you and your students!

Questions?

Contact Dr. Lori Mumpower for more information or questions about this process.