STRATEGIC PROJECT
use case
How IST Achieved More With Less
Leveraging Real-Time Feedback To Implement Education Reforms
Segment
University
Size
11.296 students
Location
Portugal
Name
Duration
Focus area
One thing to know about the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) is they didn’t get to be the largest and leading engineering school in Portugal by being afraid to innovate. Instead, they wholeheartedly embrace it, consistently pushing the boundaries of traditional education.
IST is the largest engineering school in Portugal. We are 113 years old. Since the beginning, we have been always trying to push forward innovative ways of teaching.
In 2021, IST decided to undertake a momentous transformation: splitting its Master’s programs into distinct Bachelor’s and Master’s courses and reorganising the academic calendar from semesters to quarters. This change aimed to improve the learning experience for students, making it more focused and effective.
Naturally, when implementing such significant changes, IST believed that gathering feedback from students was crucial to ensure those changes benefited them. However, they faced a challenge when using their existing quality assurance system, which assessed courses only at the end of each semester. This feedback loop was sluggish, often taking a month from student surveys to actionable reports, which resulted in delays in essential interventions.
Our existing feedback loop was too slow. It takes a month from student surveys to actionable reports.
Recognising this issue, IST sought a more immediate feedback mechanism to better respond to student needs and dynamically enhance course quality.
To solve this issue, IST decided to pilot StudentPulse. Recommended by a student member of the pedagogic council, StudentPulse offered real-time micro-surveys and immediate results via dashboards. This enabled the university to get a timely "pulse" on student experiences throughout the course, allowing for quicker and more effective interventions.
1. Reduced burden on faculty and students
The platform's structured and frequent feedback cycles (15 questions spread over three surveys) proved more efficient than traditional end-of-semester evaluations (55 questions). It provided comparable results with less burden on students and faculty.
Normally we implement 55 questions at the end of the semester. But the main issues we can identify, such as organisation of the course and quality of teaching, can also be identified through 15 questions. So asking less at the correct time is much more informative.
2. Prompt improvements using faster actionable data
IST found that comments and feedback collected mid-course were particularly valuable, providing professors with specific, actionable insights that helped them adjust their teaching strategies effectively. For instance, courses that initially needed improvement saw marked progress by the end of the semester.
3. Real-time valuable insights into student well-being
Using StudentPulse, IST also discovered valuable and surprising insights into their students' well-being. Through emotional check-ins, the platform empowered faculty to identify and address issues vital for sustaining student morale. For instance, early surveys indicated that many students begin their first semester with low self-confidence, highlighting the need for early engagement and support, which had previously gone undetected.
Many students enrolled in our school start their first semester with low self-confidence, low expectations. That was really something the school was not aware of. It was definitely surprising.
4. Boost in student engagement and experience
IST’s faculty believed that students feel more engaged when they see their feedback leading to immediate changes. This not only enhances their engagement in the learning process but also improves their performance, as courses are adapted based on their inputs. This sense of influence and involvement significantly boosts the student experience and will contribute to better academic outcomes.
I would definitely recommend StudentPulse. I think the main advantage is its capacity to give answers in real-time. It's simple to use, and the technology works efficiently.
The encouraging results from this pilot program have demonstrated significant improvements in student experience and overall performance. As IST continues to innovate, StudentPulse is excited to continue this collaboration to help deliver the highest standards of education and experience at IST.
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