Faculty who volunteered to participate in the IDEA student ratings pilot test in 08-09 (and others who were interested) were invited to attend one of two preparation sessions for IDEA (SIR-II does not require special training). In IDEA, students rate the extent to which they have made progress on each of several course objectives that the instructor has identified as important. Because course objectives dictate teaching strategies and grading, effective use of this system depends on instructors clearly articulating and communicating objectives for their courses before the course starts. This session included a brief description of how the IDEA system works; discussion of the general objectives on the IDEA form; and a work session in which faculty write objectives for their own courses.