How to understand learners’ opinions and expectations?

This is one of the most important questions that any training center should ask. The solution is to conduct a survey. The next step is to choose the method for distributing the questionnaires and collecting the responses.

Should face-to-face interviews be organized?

Should learners be contacted by phone?

Should the questions be sent by mail?

These traditional methods can actually work. However, if we are looking for a practical solution, it is better to automate the process. Launching an online survey is now a better method. This approach is especially suitable for training organizations that offer distance learning courses.

There is, however, one point to clarify: the different possible distribution channels.

Benefits of automating multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs)

A quick solution

Conducting a face-to-face survey, by phone, or by mail takes far too much time. In fact, it often takes months to collect learners’ feedback. The slowness of the process is generally due to:

  • Geographical issues
  • Availability of the people being surveyed
  • Time needed to organize the interview or send the mail

Distributing questionnaires online is a much faster process. You simply need to choose the right distribution channels to collect responses within the best timeframe. Automating the process ensures valuable time savings.

A solution for surveying multiple people at the same time

Automating online questionnaires also allows distribution to a larger sample. In fact, all learners can receive and respond to them simultaneously, regardless of their geographical location. Choosing online questionnaires means conducting the survey easily.

A solution for obtaining reliable responses

The responses obtained by distributing online questionnaires are more reliable. Why? The presence of an interviewer may influence respondents’ opinions.

Participants can therefore answer the questions autonomously and anonymously, making them more likely to provide honest answers. Moreover, learners have more time to complete the survey, avoiding the pressure that the interviewer’s presence might cause.

Lastly, the risk of errors is almost non-existent without the involvement of an interviewer. The responses are directly recorded in software.

A solution for customizing the survey

Online questionnaires are also customizable. There are software tools that allow you to set when learners will participate in the survey. Training centers can then collect more valuable information.

TIP: It’s better to design specific questions based on when the survey will be triggered. This way, quality data can be obtained.

A solution for improving result analysis

Automating online questionnaires can also simplify the analysis of the results. As mentioned earlier, the responses are directly recorded in software. The tool also automatically analyzes them. It then becomes easier to generate a reliable report.

A low-cost solution

Distributing questionnaires online is a cost-effective solution. There’s no need to hire interviewers. Training organizations using this solution avoid costs related to:

  • Recruitment
  • Training of interviewers
  • Travel expenses for interviewers
  • Tools needed to conduct the survey
  • Printing of questionnaires
  • Interviewer compensation
  • Data entry of responses

Preferred distribution channels

To collect learners’ opinions, training centers can choose from different distribution methods.

Email surveys

When talking about online surveys, the first solution that comes to mind is distributing questionnaires by email. This is an effective way to reach a wide audience. Moreover, there’s a high likelihood that recipients will read the message.

To ensure the success of the survey distribution, a few precautions should be taken. It is advisable to:

  • Pay attention to the subject line of the email
  • Focus solely on the survey
  • Send a brief and clear message
  • Make it easy to access the online questionnaires

SMS surveys

Smartphones have become the primary communication tool for most people. Therefore, launching a survey via SMS presents a good solution. The question is: how to distribute the questionnaires?

The simplest solution is to insert the URL link to the survey in the message sent to learners. They can just click on it to access the questionnaire page.

Alternatively, a question can be sent directly in an SMS. In other words, the survey would be conducted progressively, giving learners more time to respond.

However, SMS distribution should be approached with caution. It can be intrusive, which may hinder the survey’s progress. It is crucial to ensure that learners are willing to participate. Additionally, it is essential to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when using SMS.

Social media surveys

Social media platforms like Facebook, X, or WhatsApp are highly effective distribution channels. They allow for quick access to the target audience. After all, most people are very active on these platforms, and quick responses are possible.

However, a good strategy is necessary to achieve a high participation rate. Ideally, a group should be created at the beginning of the course, adding all learners. Then, the survey can be promoted, encouraging participants to share their feedback honestly and sincerely.

Using a specialized platform

There are platforms that assist with distributing online satisfaction surveys. These platforms make the process simpler and more intuitive. In fact, the distribution of questions and the collection of responses can be completed with just a few clicks. Users can even access questionnaire templates.

These platforms also offer efficient analysis tools. Training organizations can therefore generate more reliable reports. Edusign is one of these platforms. The website helps training centers gather feedback from their learners and evaluate it.