Course feedback reform based on students’ and teachers’ wishes

The Course Feedback Development Group has worked actively over the past year to promote the use of course feedback, increase response rates, and develop a feedback culture across the university. In its work, the group has focused on the development recommendations arising from the university’s national evaluation, as well as on wishes and development suggestions received from students and university staff, particularly teachers.

Course feedback guidelines updated

The guidelines for course feedback aimed at students have been supplemented with instructions on how to provide constructive course feedback. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with these guidelines and make use of them when giving feedback. Providing constructive feedback is an important working-life skill that is worth practicing already during studies. The How do I give constructive course feedback? -guidelines are available on the oulu.fi website. The guidance for teachers has also been supplemented with instructions on providing good feedback in response. Students have the right to receive counter feedback as well as more detailed information on how the teacher intends to develop the course based on the feedback received.

New course feedback questions to be introduced in August

Changes will also be made to the final feedback questions. The number of common mandatory questions will be reduced from fourteen to seven. The new questions will be introduced at the beginning of the academic year 2026–2027, starting on 1 August 2026. The reform responds to wishes expressed by both students and teachers over several years. Teachers will still have the option to add their own questions to the feedback form as needed.

How course feedback is processed and used in development?

Course feedback is collected primarily to ensure and develop the quality of teaching. It is a tool that helps education providers and teachers better understand participants’ needs and improve future courses. Feedback helps teachers identify which parts of a course work well and what should be changed. It also allows for assessing whether the course met its stated objectives. It is the teacher’s responsibility to review the feedback and develop the course accordingly. Teachers are also expected to provide counter feedback to students, informing them about the feedback received and what development actions will be taken based on it. At the University of Oulu, course feedback is also reviewed in degree programme committees and education committees at least once per academic year. The university-level utilization of course feedback is also being further developed.

Course Feedback Development Group

Petteri Annunen 

Kristiina Anttila 

Tytti Tenhula 

Venla Vuorjoki 

Created 8.5.2026 | Updated 8.5.2026