The Feedback activity in Moodle allows instructors to collect information from students through surveys, questionnaires, check-ins, and reflections. It is flexible, easy to set up, and supports anonymous or non-anonymous submissions depending on your goals.

This guide walks you through what the tool can do, how to set it up, and how to view and export results.


What the Moodle Feedback Tool Can Do

The Feedback tool allows faculty to:

Gather student input

  • Mid-semester evaluations

  • Weekly check-ins

  • Exit tickets

  • Course improvement surveys

  • Pre-/post-topic reflections

Allow Anonymous or Identifiable Responses

  • You can choose to make all responses anonymous.

  • Moodle ensures anonymity by removing identifying data from submissions.

Create Custom Surveys

  • Multiple question types

  • Branching with required/optional fields

  • Preconfigured templates (e.g., “Course Evaluation”)

Schedule Availability

  • Release feedback at specific dates

  • Close access automatically

Limit Responses

  • One response per student

  • Multiple responses if needed

Analyze Responses

  • Summary reports

  • View individual responses (if not anonymous)

  • Export to Excel

  • Download charts


Adding a Feedback Activity to Your Course

Step-by-Step

  1. Turn editing on (top right of course page).

  2. Click + Add an activity or resource.

  3. Select Feedback.

  4. Click Add.


General Settings Overview

When creating a Feedback activity, configure the following:

⭐ Name & Description

  • Provide a clear title (e.g., “Week 3 Check-In”).

  • Add instructions in the description field.

  • ✔ Option: Display description on course page.

⭐ Availability

Set open and close dates if you want the activity only available during a specific window.

⭐ Question and Submission Settings

These are critical:

SettingPurpose
Record user namesYes = not anonymous (you can see who responded).
No = fully anonymous.
Allow multiple submissionsUseful for weekly or repeated check-ins.
Enable notification of submissionsEmail notification when a student submits.
Auto number questionsHelps with organization.

Adding Questions to Feedback

After saving the initial settings:

  1. Click Edit Questions.

  2. Choose from several question types:

Available Question Types

  • Label – add text or instructions

  • Information – displays information, not a question

  • Multiple Choice (single answer)

  • Multiple Choice (multiple answers)

  • Yes/No

  • Short Text (up to 255 characters)

  • Long Text (essay-style)

  • Numerical scales

  • Rating Scales (e.g., 1–5)

  • Page Breaks for multi-page surveys

Anonymous Note

If the feedback is set to anonymous, Moodle automatically removes any identifying information regardless of question types used.

Using Branching Logic (Advanced)

Feedback supports simple conditional branching:

  • Make a question required or optional.

  • Use the dependence item and dependence value fields to show questions only if certain answers are chosen.

Example:
“If student selects ‘I need assistance,’ then show a long-text field asking what they need help with.”


Previewing the Feedback

Always preview:

  1. Click Preview at the top.

  2. Walk through the survey as a student.

  3. Confirm anonymity settings, required fields, and question order.


Viewing Responses

Once students complete the feedback:

  1. Open the Feedback activity.

  2. Click Show Responses.

If Anonymous

  • Student names do not appear.

  • Responses are listed as generic entries (“Response 1,” “Response 2,” etc.).

If Not Anonymous

  • Names and responses appear together.

  • You can view each student’s submission individually.


Analyzing and Exporting Results

Under Analysis:

✔ Summary Charts & Tables

  • Automatic graphs for multiple-choice questions

  • Response distribution percentages

✔ Export Options

  • Download to Excel (.csv)

  • PDF export of results

  • Print view for department reports

✔ View by Question or by Student

If not anonymous, you may view:

  • Each student’s full set of answers

  • All student answers to a single question


Useful Use-Cases for Faculty

Anonymous Feedback

  • Mid-semester survey to improve teaching

  • Check comfort level with course pacing

  • Mental health or stress check-ins

  • Anonymous suggestions box

Non-Anonymous Feedback

  • Attendance verification via check-ins

  • Weekly progress reflections

  • Structured mentoring or coaching reflections


Tips for Effective Use

  • Keep surveys short—students are more likely to respond.

  • Use anonymous settings when seeking honest, open feedback.

  • Share summary results with students to show their feedback matters.

  • Use consistent naming (e.g., “Week X Feedback”) for recurring surveys.