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General Survey of Student Learning Experience (SSLE) Information

SSLEs at Ohio State

The University Faculty Rules, 3335-3-35 (C)(14), stipulate that students be given the opportunity to evaluate the instruction provided in each course. The Survey of Student Learning Experience (SSLE) is the official, university-wide instrument for this purpose. It is available electronically via the Ohio State App, Carmen, or through Buckeye Link. The SSLE is administered using the software Blue, by Explorance. 

SSLEs are automatically generated for all instructors, with the exclusions explained below. To add SSLEs to an excluded class, or for further information, contact ssleadmin@osu.edu

We are pleased to share an updated and improved Blue website, available August 2025. 

What’s new in Blue:

  • Updated URL (bookmark this to your browser for quick access): https://my-osu.bluera.com/ 
  • More intuitive navigation with clearly labeled launchers and widgets to the subject management and response rate monitor pages (instructors only)
  • Convenient access to relevant websites such as CarmenCanvas and Important SSLE Dates
  • Better task visibility through progress indicators, categorized task lists and dedicated pages to tasks, reports, and bookmarks
  • Bookmarking feature for faster access to frequently used tasks, reports and filters
  • Bulk report download capability for administrative users, enabling efficient export of multiple reports at a time

 

 

The SSLE consists of 7 single-selection response questions, and 2 opened-ended comment boxes with directed prompts. The single-selection responses utilize a 5-point Likert scale: 5-strongly agree, 4-agree, 3-neutral, 2-disagree, 1-strongly disagree.

SSLE single-selection questions:

  1. The instructor was available to answer questions and provide help if/when needed (in class, in person, by email, office hours, etc.).    
  2. The instructor provided constructive feedback (during class meetings, in person, on my work, etc.) that helped me to learn.   
  3. The instructor used teaching methods (such as class activities, discussions, group work, projects, lecture) in ways that encouraged my learning.  
  4. This course design and instruction helped me actively engage in my own learning.  
  5. The instructor demonstrated genuine interest in teaching.
  6. I felt welcomed in this course (for example, instructor expressed interest in students’ well-being, welcomed students’ perspectives). 
  7. The instructor created an environment that valued diverse backgrounds and experiences.  

SSLE opened-ended comment prompts:

  1. What specific aspects of this course were effective in promoting your learning (for example, teaching practices, assignments, class material, class structure)?
  2. What suggestions (if any) do you have to improve this course for future students (for example, teaching practices, assignments, class material, class structure)?  

In addition to the 7 single-selection response questions and 2 opened-ended comment boxes of the SSLE, the following questions shall be included in each institution of higher education’s student evaluation of faculty, pursuant to Senate Bill 1, ORC Section 3345.451; Faculty Evaluation: 

  1. Does the faculty member create a classroom atmosphere free of political, racial, gender, and religious bias?
    • Yes
    • No
  1. Are students encouraged to discuss varying opinions and viewpoints in class?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not applicable
  1. On a scale of 1-10, how effective are the teaching methods of this faculty member?

The scale of 1-10 in question #3 above measures the effectiveness of the faculty member with 1 being not effective at all and 10 being extremely effective.

SSLEs are activated when a class is 90 percent complete. Instructors may delay the activation date as long as students have at least five days to respond to the SSLE. All instructors for a class must use the same activation date.

The SSLE deactivation date is always the last day before final exams begin (generally, the reading day). Posting the final grade for a student will cause the student's access to the SSLE to end overnight. The SSLE deactivation date is set in accordance with the Academic Calendar, and should not be modified.

In the Student Information System, one class may have multiple meeting patterns, each with its own start and end dates. The interval used to compute the default activation date for SSLE spans the earliest of all the start dates listed for the class, to the latest end date listed for that class. For example, if one meeting pattern for the class runs from October 1 through November 30, and another meeting pattern for that same class runs from September 15 through November 15, the 90 percent computation for activating SSLEs would be based on the interval from September 15 (the earliest start date) to November 30 (the latest end date).

Classes with atypical schedules can result in the activation date occurring after SSLEs close for the term. Contact SSLE Admin to request an activation date change.

 

These departments currently do not use SSLEs for their courses or instructors:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Surgery
  • Veterinary Medicine (VMCOLL)

These course types are automatically excluded from SSLEs:

  • Catalog number (course) is x999 or x998 or ends in xx93.
  • Class component is Independent Study (IND) or Field Experience (FLD).

SSLEs are automatically generated for individuals whose names appear in the Schedule of Classes for an SSLE-eligible course. SSLEs are not generated for instructors with either of the following characteristics:

  • Those listed with an Instructor Role of GRDR-N-SEI for the course. 
  • Individuals whose names are marked not to print on the Schedule of Classes.