With advancements in technology, the use of online student survey tools has increased. Students can use them for research projects, gathering feedback on a classroom presentation, or learning the effectiveness of a new campus initiative.
Giving students an opportunity to express themselves and share their opinions can help your institution grow. As Clive Humby once said, “Data is the new oil. It’s about converting data into information and information into insights.” Converting raw data into actionable insights is key to making informed decisions that fuel progress.
Institutions can use online surveys for students to enhance educational practices and get real-time feedback from students on instructors, courses, and how students feel about their institution. Surveys are an efficient and quick way to gather valuable data and drive institutional growth.
This blog will explore how students and institutions use online surveys, practical tools, and tips for maximizing effectiveness.
Why you should be using online surveys for students
According to Pew Research, 96% of U.S. teens report using the Internet daily, highlighting the extensive Internet usage among younger audiences, including students. This makes online surveys for teens even more impactful as a data collection tool. You can read more about it here.
Online surveys are no longer reserved for big businesses and corporations. They are for YOU—whether you’re seeking opinions for research work or looking to create casual polls. They can save you hours of tedious effort.
Here’s how Online surveys are a great way to reach your target audience:
Free or low-cost
An online questionnaire is a cost-effective solution that saves money, time, and effort. You don’t have to spend money on paper, printing, or postage. Respondents are processed automatically, streamlining the whole process.
Get Results in No Time
The results of the online survey are available at any time. When the participants complete the questionnaire, you can analyze and convert the answers into graphs, charts, and statistics, simplifying data collection and analysis.
More honest
Traditional Surveys are like using an old flip phone in the world of smartphones: slow, outdated, and full of hassle. Online surveys have a much smaller margin of error, and responses are recorded instantly and accurately. Also, some people might want to keep their opinions private from others so they can freely express themselves in an online survey.
Best Online Survey Tools for Students
Here are some of the best options for the online survey tools for Students:
Theysaid–The AI-powered game-changer platform
Theysaid is the world’s first conversational AI survey platform. It uses conversational AI technology to transform traditional surveys into dynamic, real-time conversations, boosting both response rates and the quality of feedback collected.
It goes beyond traditional surveys in the education sector by offering real-time feedback to help students voice their opinions, enhance classroom experiences, assess educational spaces, and foster positive learning atmospheres.
TheySaid is transforming education by bridging the gap between feedback and actionable change. Whether enhancing student engagement or driving institutional progress, it is already setting a new standard for education innovation.
Features:
- Conversational AI Surveys
- Customizable Design
- Real-Time Feedback
- User-Friendly Interface
- Boost engagement and insights
Recommended read: The Role of AI in Enhancing Survey Experiences
Google Forms– The Best Free Tool
Google Forms is an online tool for creating and collecting survey responses. Students can use it for making assignments, research projects, online polling for classrooms, gathering student feedback, and more. This tool is incredibly user-friendly, even for people unfamiliar with online surveys. You can create a study in just a few minutes and customize it according to your preference.
Features:
- Unlimited surveys and responses
- Easy integration with Google Drive
- Customizable themes Available
- Encrypted data that is stored in Google’s data centers
SurveyMonkey – Perfect for Detailed Surveys
SurveyMonkey offers various survey features that are helpful in academic research and getting a clear perspective from a larger group of students. Their education survey templates are aimed at teachers, students, and administration and can be used as benchmark templates to compare your institution to others in the industry.
Features:
- Use of AI and machine learning
- Advanced question types
- Powerful data analytics tools
Typeform – Best for the interactive surveys
Typeform has a variety of user-friendly forms and templates for course content surveys, learning student experience surveys, student satisfaction surveys, and career surveys. It can analyze drop-offs, helping users see where they will lose people in the survey and what can be changed.
Features:
- Visually appealing and user-friendly
- Interactive surveys that feel like a conversation
- Integrates with other tools like Google Sheets
Use Cases of Surveys for Students in University
Students use surveys in university for a variety of purposes, including:
- Research Projects: Gathering field data for assignments, projects, or theses.
- Classroom Feedback: Measuring the effectiveness of lectures, teaching strategies, or course content.
- Event Feedback: Find out what students think about events, workshops, or activities that are held on the campus.
- Peer or Group Projects: Understanding group dynamics, preferences, or perspectives for collaborative work.
- Career and Academic Planning: Research specific areas such as career goals, internship placements, or academic support services.
- Mental Health and Well-being: Looking for students’ stress levels, emotional state, or satisfaction with counseling services.
Tips for Creating Online surveys for students
Surveys can be much more enjoyable for students if you ask the right questions.
Here are a few tips for creating impactful Online surveys for students:
Keep It Short and Focused
Design your survey concisely and define your goals. The whole process should take 5 to 10 minutes.
Use Simple and Clear Language
Avoid jargon or overly complex terms. Use straightforward, student-friendly language to prevent confusion.
Offer Incentives
Offer small incentives for topics students feel less passionately about, such as entry into a pizza draw or extra credit.
Design your survey with the students in mind
Mix question types, such as multiple-choice, rating & scales, and open-ended questions, are recommended. Make sure each question adds value and drives survey responses.
Test your survey before launching
Always test your survey with a small group of students to identify issues before distributing it widely, and ensure your survey is optimized for mobile devices.
Analyze and share results
Once responses are collected, analyze the data and share the findings with students. This fosters trust and demonstrates that their feedback matters.
Once your survey is ready to go, here are some easy ways to get it to your respondents:
- Share your survey on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
- Directly send your survey to students through emails
- If your school has an online portal, post it for quick and easy access
Conclusion
Online surveys for students are reshaping the way we approach data collection in education with thoughtful design, user-friendly platforms, and actionable insights. Surveys empower evidence-based decisions that enhance teaching methods and outcomes.
Take your educational surveys to the next level. Sign up for TheySaid today and experience the difference firsthand!
FAQs
1. How do online surveys help educational institutions?
Online surveys help educational institutions in the following ways:
- Get course feedback at the end of the session
- Improve educational outcomes
- Improve student-faculty relationship
- Evaluate student performance
- Evaluate Institutional performance
- Help students gather data in research work
- Encourage parents to get involved
2. What are the benefits of online surveys?
Some of the benefits of online surveys are:
- Cost-effective and environment-friendly
- Provide accurate and quick results
- Increases participation and response rate
- Accessible anywhere, anytime
- Easy data analysis and reporting
3. How do I share an online survey with students?
You can share online surveys with students through email, class group chats, your institution's learning management system (LMS), or social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
4. How can I make my surveys engaging for students?
Be creative with your survey. Make it fun by adding some humorous themes or offering small incentives at the end of your survey.
5. Are online survey tools secure for students and institutions?
Yes, your surveys are secure if you are using trusted tools like TheySaid. This platform takes data privacy seriously and has strong measures in place to protect your responses.
