What is the Student Perception of Teaching (SPOT) survey?
The Student Perception of Teaching (SPOT) survey is UW–Eau Claire's end-of-term course evaluation, administered through the Explorance Blue platform. SPOT surveys give students a structured, confidential opportunity to share feedback on their learning experience in a course, including the instructor's teaching effectiveness, course design, and overall classroom environment.
What is Explorance Blue?
Explorance Blue is the software platform UW-Eau Claire uses to administer the SPOT survey (course evaluations) campus-wide. Instead of each department managing evaluations separately, all evaluations are centrally administered through this system, ensuring a consistent experience for students and instructors across all courses.
What is my role in the SPOT surveys?
Instructors monitor response rates and encourage students to complete the survey by providing class time and/or incentives to participate. After the grade submission date, instructors are notified that reports are available and can view and download them from the survey platform.
Department Assistants determine which courses in the department will be evaluated during a specific term and can set open and close dates according to department policies.
Department Chairs determine which courses in the department will be evaluated during a specific term. After grade submission, chairs have access to the SPOT survey report for each instructor in their department.
How do I access the SPOT surveys(i.e. Course Evaluations)?
You can access your course evaluations in several ways:
- Email invitation: You will receive an email invitation sent to your UW-Eau Claire email address from feedback@surveys.uwec.edu.Click the link in the email to go directly to your course survey to view response rates and see QR code or links.
- Canvas: Access evaluations by clicking the "SPOT survey" link in the left side navigation menu of your Canvas course.
- Direct login: Navigate directly to the website landing page at uwec.bluera.com
- My Apps Dashboard has a tile for SPOT survey
- SPOT survey SharePoint Page has a button at the top to access the landing page
SPOT surveys can be completed on any device — computer, tablet, or smartphone.
When will reports be released for the SPOT survey (i.e. Course Evaluations)?
The SPOT survey reports will be release to instructors and department chairs after the grade submission date for that specific term. Instructors and Chairs will be notified by e-mail when these reports are available. If there are any problems with access to these reports please contact Wendy Nelson at nelsonwa@uwec.edu.
What do I do with courses taught at UWEC-Barron County?
These courses are managed separately from the other UWEC courses in the SPOT survey. As a chair or department assistant, you DO NOT have to make any changes to these courses at this time.
Need More Help?
If you have questions, issues, or concerns about the course evaluation process, please contact the appropriate office:
Email: nelsonwa@uwec.edu