"A well-informed mind is the best security against the contagion of folly and of vice."
-Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho

Closing the Feedback Loop

After putting much time and thought into designing a new distance course, (and perhaps traditional courses as well?) a common rookie error is to not develop a meta feedback mechanism for the course itself.

This is a key tenet of Quality Matters - continuous improvement.

Yes there is the end of course student evals but your own evaluation of the course design is needed to correct and address issues more responsively.

"It is very important to plan an evaluation of the course itself and of your own teaching. This is the only way you can get the information and insights you need in order to make the course better and to improve your own teaching over time."
-Fink, L. Dee, A Self-Directed Guide to Designing Courses for Significant Learning, page 33

Do Not Wait Until the End

Keep a running journal or notes as the semester unfolds is gold in the bank when it comes time to revise the distance course for the next term. But there are other ways and means to get in the moment feedback...

"You can collect feedback throughout the semester as well as at the end.

You can use a variety of information sources:

٠ video/audio tape of the class sessions [Mike's Note: Zoom Has a Recording option]
٠ student ratings of instruction
student interviews and/or questionnaires
٠ outside observers (e.g., colleagues, instructional consultant, Students Consulting on Teaching)
٠ test results"

Canvas Surveys

Canvas' 'Quizzes' tool also allows for non graded surveys (which can be graded extra credit) that can be deployed at midterm or any point(s) to get student feedback.

There is even an option to make the surveys anonymous which sometimes can get more honest feedback. Instructions on how to create a canvas Survey: http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/68346-how-do-i-create-a-survey

Identify Specific Priority Issues/Questions

Setting yourself your own goals at the start of the term for the course and or your facilitating of the distance experience is a great way to focus your feedback loop.

Target your in term notes and surveys around concrete, specific elements, such as:

"...the degree to which your goals for the course were achieved
the effectiveness of particular learning activities
your ability to interact effectively with students"

-Fink, L. Dee, A Self-Directed Guide to Designing Courses for Significant Learning, page 33