Jisc Online Surveys adds Slider questions, and why it matters for student feedback survey design

Updated Sep 07, 2026

Jisc announced Slider questions for Online Surveys on 5 May 2026. Its release history records the addition in v3.37.0, also dated 5 May. Product announcement; change log.

What the control provides

Survey authors can configure a numeric scale, including endpoints, decimal precision, labels, prefixes or suffixes and the handle’s starting position. Respondents move the handle to choose a value; authors can also enable typed entry. Jisc describes that option as supporting accessibility. This summary has not independently tested its accessibility across devices or assistive technologies.

The release adds an input control. Its announcement does not demonstrate improved response rates, more reliable answers or better comparisons between institutions.

Questions for a local pilot

Before choosing a slider, decide what a value means. Write clear endpoint labels, explain the unit where needed and check how an unanswered question appears in the export. Test the starting position so reviewers understand whether it could be confused with a deliberate response.

Try the finished question using keyboard navigation and the devices students use. Ask participants to explain how they interpreted the scale, using a staff–student review process. Treat any identified issue as evidence about that tested setup, rather than a verdict on every slider question.

Record the question version when changing an existing survey. A move from one input type or scale to another needs explanation before the results are shown as a trend. Comments may add context to a score, but do not establish every respondent’s reasons or repair a mismatch between instruments.

Our governance checklist provides questions about documenting interpretation and review responsibilities.

Correction and review note, 7 September 2026: corrected the announcement date from 6 May to 5 May, confirmed the release version and removed claims that the control necessarily makes feedback more consistent. Accessibility is attributed to Jisc’s description and remains subject to local testing.