Morningside College began piloting the use of the IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction system in the spring term of 2006.  Since that term, every student in every course section has been asked to complete the diagnostic form. 

According to the IDEA Center, "The IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction system takes a positive approach to   soliciting student input. Rather than emphasizing the instructor's teaching techniques or personality, the IDEA system focuses on student learning. Research has shown that there is no one correct way to teach, so The IDEA Center tailors each report to fit the instructor's teaching objectives. Teaching effectiveness is determined by student progress on goals chosen by the instructor, not by an outdated, rigid model of what effective teaching is supposed to be. Research based on our very large national database allows us to provide diagnostic assistance for those with disappointing results. Fairness is improved by taking into account the influence of factors outside the instructor’s control."

Additional information about the IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction can be obtained from The IDEA Center web site.