CLASSE: Evaluating a Course on Student Engagement

Based on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a course-based version called CLASSE, developed by the University of Alabama, is a tool that offers insight into student engagement. While NSSE focuses on student engagement at the program level, CLASSE is used within individual courses.

The CLASSE is an important tool in course design and development. While Universal Student Ratings of Instruction (USRIs) measure student satisfaction, the CLASSE evaluates criteria that developers identified as important for engagement including active and collaborative learning, cognitive skills and level of academic challenge. When used at different points in time, such as prior to a course redesign and near the end of a pilot offering, the instrument can show what changes have occurred in student engagement. Instructors can use CLASSE results to identify strengths and weaknesses in their courses, and then further redesign them to be more effective and engaging learning environments for students.

Instructors can use the companion survey, CLASSE for Faculty, to gauge how they perceive engagement in a course versus how the students perceive it. Different perceptions can point to a disconnect between what instructors want for their course, and how students actually experience it. Again, this information is helpful in pointing to possible areas for improvement.

The CLASSE includes 38 standard questions, with the option of adding some course-specific questions at the end. It is free of charge; however, if using it, you must register with the copyright holders of the instrument. To explore the use of CLASSE further, please contact Patti Dyjur at pdyjur@ucalgary.ca.