End of semester…. were your course goals achieved?

[jamiepopeauthor]

At the conclusion of each semester, I created and posted an anonymous survey in our LMS to assess how well students believed the overall course goals from the syllabus were met.   The university generated evaluations provide valuable feedback but input specific to a course and its success beyond student performance has proven to be valuable.   I’ve modified the survey over several semesters from a narrative answer to a scale to a combination of both.  And maybe more importantly, reviewing the course goals at the conclusion of the semester allows students the opportunity to reflect upon and consider what they’ve learned – and hopefully feel good about that!  A link to the survey is shared via email with a message encouraging completion and how their anonymous feedback will assist in improving the course and its components for future students.  Reading student feedback provides another opportunity for instructors to evaluate the course design and components in alignment with course goals.  Here are the course goals from the introductory nutrition course:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Appreciate the scope and complexity of the evolving science of nutrition.
2. Discuss the role of each of the six classes of nutrients in the maintenance of health. 
3. Describe how dietary recommendations for Americans are established, evaluated, implemented, and applied to meet individual dietary needs, promote health, and prevent chronic disease – and how they compare to food-based guidelines from around the globe.
4. Describe the fundamental role of nutrition and food choice in prevention and treatment of select diet-related chronic diseases.
5. Discuss factors that affect nutrition and health status of individuals across the lifespan with corresponding intervention strategies.
6. Analyze controversies or claims surrounding one or more contemporary nutrition issues based on scientific evidence and nutrition theory.
7. Identify ways individuals can assess, evaluate, and implement strategies that promote a healthy and safe diet.
8. Discuss how all foods can fit within an overall healthful diet.  A goal of this course is to lessen and lighten food related "rules" and dogmatic thinking surrounding dietary practices and approaches through a better understanding of nutrition principles and application.