Example Activity: Pre-Course Survey

Use Surveys to Help Create an Inclusive Learning Environment

At the beginning of a course, surveys can be used to discover students’ incoming knowledge and skills as well as something about them as a person. Rather than focusing solely on knowledge deficits that the curriculum must fill, aim to discover students’ interests, lived experiences, and motivations. You can also ask students to identify challenges they foresee in completing the course, including their access to computational tools, a quiet space to work, and reliable high-speed internet access.

This information can inform equitable design of assessments and learning experiences -- for example, it might prompt you to provide pertinent background information or cues at the beginning of an activity, which will help level the playing field.

Try it out here!

View the sample survey here to see examples of the types of questions used by Tufts faculty and to experience the survey from the student perspective.  This survey has been created using Canvas's Graded Survey Quiz Type, meaning that a student would automatically receive full credit upon submission regardless of the content of their answers. 

This is an example of an activity in Canvas you can use in your own course.  We have included points so that you can see a student viewpoint.  Consider participating if you'd like the student experience, but note that this is not a regularly monitored course and there won't be instructor facilitation or grading of this activity.