As online educators, we know the importance of building an inclusive and supportive learning environment. While it’s easy to focus on course design, content delivery, and grading strategies, creating a space where students feel heard and supported is equally essential.

One way to achieve this is by using Insight Surveys—a simple LMS survey that allows students to privately share their unique needs, experiences, and concerns with their instructor.

Insight Surveys are confidential questionnaires offered at the start of a course. These surveys give students an opportunity to communicate personal experiences, accessibility needs, or concerns they may have about the course.

They also provide an outlet for students to share what they are excited about and their personal goals. Most importantly, Insight Surveys foster a sense of community, inclusivity, and mentorship from day one.

Why Use Insight Surveys?

The goal of an Insight Survey is to create a connection between the instructor and each student. Especially in online courses where students may feel isolated, the survey opens a door to meaningful interaction. Instructors can respond with empathy and personalized support, which not only improves engagement but also enhances student success and well-being.

  • Support Unique Circumstances: Students can share life situations that may impact their engagement. In one course, a student who had experienced trauma felt safe enough to share their concerns and ultimately turned their experience into a valuable learning moment for the class.
  • Address Student Needs: By inviting students to communicate any accommodations or accessibility needs upfront, instructors can make early adjustments to ensure that all learners have the support they need.
  • Foster Inclusivity and Connection: Whether it’s about career goals, challenges, or excitement for the course, Insight Surveys give students a chance to express themselves and feel like valued members of the learning community.

Case Study 1

In a course about using diplomacy to prevent genocide, a student revealed in her survey that she had been a young refugee whose family fled to the US. While she initially expressed concerns about the course and the trauma it may evoke, after thoughtful communication with the instructor, she ultimately decided to host a synchronous Zoom session and allow classmates to ask questions about her experience.

This opportunity provided her a supportive step towards healing and her classmates a first-hand account and understanding of course topics in ways traditional learning materials could never allow. This healing and informative exchange may have never happened if this student had not had the open and supportive opportunity to privately share her circumstances with the instructor.

Case Study 2

In the same program, a student expressed that they are a Veteran and had been looking for work since leaving the service. In the survey, the student conveyed their hope that this master’s degree would provide the knowledge and connections needed to secure employment in their desired field.

The instructor was able to connect that student to Veteran resources and provide a recommendation that led to employment in the course’s field of study.

Crafting Effective Insight Surveys

1. Create a Safe and Welcoming Environment: Use open-ended questions that invite students to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable. Express genuine interest in their experiences and communicate your willingness to support them.

2. Ask About More Than Academics: In addition to questions about accessibility or concerns, include prompts about students’ goals, personal interests, or unique skills that could enrich class discussions.

3. Follow Up with Empathy: Make sure to follow up on survey responses in a way that demonstrates understanding and action. Students are more likely to stay engaged when they know their voice has been heard.

Example Questions to Include

  • “I’d love to learn about any personal experiences or situations you’d like to share that could affect your participation in the course so I can better support you.”
  • “If you have any accessibility needs or accommodations that would help you thrive in this course, I’m here to assist—please feel free to let me know.”
  • “I’m excited to hear what you’re most looking forward to or if you have any concerns about the course material. Your input is really important to me.”

By implementing Insight Surveys, online instructors can build a classroom culture of openness, empathy, and inclusivity. These surveys give students a platform to share their personal challenges or triumphs and help instructors understand how to support their learners more effectively. Ultimately, Insight Surveys are a simple yet powerful tool for creating a student-centered environment that promotes both academic success and personal well-being.

Would you like to learn more about how to implement Insight Surveys in your online course?

Reach out to join the conversation and discover how this small change can make a big difference in the online learning experience.

Christine Moore is an Instructional Designer with EdPlus, focusing on Military and Diplomacy Education, Immersive Educational Experiences and Using AI to Optimize Course Components.