Mid-Semester Course Analysis (MSCA) Program
Colby’s Jordan Troisi and Carol Hurney are international leaders on the mid-semester feedback technique of Small Group Instructional Diagnosis, referred to at Colby as Mid-Semester Course Analysis. Offered during the fall and spring semesters, the approach provides instructors with rich qualitative feedback from their students regarding the learning environment in a course. Results obtained from a MSCA offer an opportunity for faculty and students to engage in a formative reflection on the teaching and learning environment at mid-point of the semester.
Briefly, the CTL consultant will connect with the instructor, then spend about 30 minutes working with the students during class. The students will work in small groups to answer the following questions:
- What are you doing that helps your learning in this course?
- What are you doing that hinders your learning in this course?
- What could you be doing to improve your learning in this course?
- What helps your learning in this course?
- What hinders your learning in this course?
- What suggestions do you have to improve learning in this course?
The student groups will write their responses to these questions on the board and the CTL consultant will engage the entire group in a conversation about the responses. The CTL consultant will share the results from the small and large group discussions with the course instructor in a one-on-one confidential meeting.
Fall 2025
The Center for Teaching and Learning will be offering MSCAs from Monday, September 29, until Friday, October 31. Click on the link below to submit your request – first come, first served. The CTL has a limited capacity but hopes to accommodate all requests.
Please complete your requests by 5pm on Monday, September 15, so we can build the schedule and confirm dates with you. Those who sign up for a MSCA will be receive confirmation of the date and time around the third week of the semester.