You, Me, and AI: Surviving Student Feedback Together
In-Person
Abstract
When the pressure to open IDEA evaluations at the end of the term fills you with dread, as you weigh the pros and cons of reading students’ unfiltered thoughts, do you wonder if there is a better way? Instead of sitting in our offices, alone, digging through the piles of student comments — positive, constructive, and perhaps destructive—we are here to tell you there is a better way! In this session, we explore the ups and downs of IDEA evaluations, their inevitability, and how to turn the arduous process into a constructive one. Collaboration is key! Working with colleagues to interpret feedback and using AI as a tool to identify patterns can shift the experience from overwhelming to useful. You’ll leave with a clear, practical method for organizing feedback into meaningful insights for faculty narratives and teaching documentation. With you, me, and AI, we will survive and perhaps even thrive with student feedback.
Presenters
Sarah Andersen
Lecturer
Sarah Andersen, M.S., is a Lecturer in the Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences at Utah State University, specializing in equine-assisted services. Her teaching emphasizes intentional course design, co-constructing knowledge with students, and integrating experiential learning throughout the curriculum. She values and systematically applies student feedback to inform and improve instructional effectiveness. Her teaching and research focus on training, conditioning, and the welfare of lesson horses, and she is dedicated to preparing students for ethical, evidence-based practice in equine-assisted services programs.
Kelli Munns
Prof Practice Asst Professor
Kelli Munns, Ph.D., is a Professional Practice Assistant Professor and Program Director in the Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Department at Utah State University. She leads the M.Ed. in Educational Technology and Learning Sciences program, where she focuses on building strong curriculum, supporting accreditation, and giving students extra value in their degrees through endorsements and certificates in areas such as educational technology, school library media, and instructional coaching. Kelli’s background includes teaching in both K–12 and higher education, as well as work in program evaluation and instructional design. She’s passionate about improving learning through meaningful feedback and innovative teaching approaches. Her research and mentoring center on helping students and educators grow and preparing them for success in today’s workforce.