MidFACT—Midsemester Feedback for Actionable Course Transformation
Every instructor wants to create a meaningful and engaging learning experience, but how do we know if students genuinely connect with the material? Traditional student evaluations often come at the end of the semester, leaving faculty with valuable insights—but no opportunity to act on them for the current students.
This is where MidFACT—Midsemester Feedback for Actionable Course Transformation—steps in.
Unlike end-of-semester evaluations, MidFACT provides structured midsemester feedback, allowing faculty to understand what’s working well and what needs adjustment while the course is still in progress. It’s about listening to students when it matters most and making informed changes that benefit their learning experience.
What is MidFACT?
MidFACT is more than just a survey—it’s a tool designed to make student feedback meaningful and actionable. It helps faculty see patterns in student experiences, identify instructional strengths, and pinpoint areas where adjustments could improve learning outcomes.
Through a structured process, MidFACT gathers insights on four key areas:
- Course Clarity & Engagement – Are expectations and learning objectives clear?
- Student-Instructor & Peer Interaction – Can students engage in meaningful discussions and collaborations?
- Technology & Learning Resources – Do students feel supported with the tools available?
- Instructor Effectiveness & Course Adjustments – What teaching methods work best, and where could improvements be made?
Once collected, the data is analyzed and distilled into a concise report, giving instructors a clear snapshot of student perspectives. This empowers faculty to reflect on their teaching and make informed adjustments directly impacting student success.
Why Does MidFACT Matter?
For Faculty:
- Understand student needs rather than waiting until the course is over.
- Make targeted adjustments to improve engagement, pacing, and instructional clarity.
- Enhance faculty-student communication by addressing concerns before they impact final performance.
Faculty who have used MidFACT report positive experiences, stating:
🗣️ “It was very detailed. I liked seeing what the students liked and disliked, and it was helpful to see how many made each type of comment.”
🗣️ “As new faculty, I greatly appreciated the feedback from students, which told me that I was on the right path.”
For Institutions:
- Strengthen faculty development through structured, evidence-based feedback.
- Improve course quality and consistency across departments.
For Students:
- Feel heard and valued, knowing their feedback contributes to shaping the course.
- Experience adjustments that enhance their learning experience during the semester, not after.
- Reflect on personal learning habits and make adjustments
🗣️ “The midsemester feedback helped me recognize the need to improve my time management and prompted me to adopt a more structured study routine, resulting in better focus and productivity”
Making feedback work for you
Collecting feedback is just the first step. What makes MidFACT powerful is how instructors engage with the results and use them to refine their teaching. Here are a few strategies to maximize its impact:
- Discuss feedback with students. Let them know their voices matter by sharing how their input will shape the remainder of the course.
- Look for patterns, not isolated comments. Focus on trends in feedback to make changes that will benefit most students.
- Start small. Even minor tweaks like adjusting pacing, clarifying expectations, or modifying discussion formats can make a big difference in the student experience.
Example Report
MidFACT Form Submission
Please fill out the form https://forms.gle/Rvc36KHA2kxrUiUG6 to initiate your course’s feedback process.
For more information:
Principal Investigator (PI):
Dr. Hala Sun, Associate Director of Assessment & Evaluation, Evidence Driven Learning Innovation (EDLI) – sunhala@msu.edu
Co-PI:
Dr. Jeya Amantha Kumar, Research Associate – Evidence Driven Learning Innovation (EDLI) davidpan@msu.edu
Dr. Natalie Vandepol, Director of Learning Technology & Development vandepo7@broad.msu.edu
Dr. Jeremy Van Hof, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI)-vanhofje@msu.edu
IRB # STUDY00010338