MTH1130 - RESULTS OF FIRST ONLINE COURSE SURVEY - FEB 2007


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Note from Greg: READ ME FIRST
Tips to help you understand the stats
Overall results at a quick glance
Survey questions
Students' written comments

See previous course surveys
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Note from Greg

" Thanks to those who participated. 12 out of a possible 26 students responded (approx. 46%). Overall, feedback was fairly positive in all categories: content, presentation, student attention, interaction, information, work overload, class management. In course outcomes, feedback was mixed, but that is to be expected only one month into the course. It was interesting to note the favorable response on the questions dealing with respect, humor and invites feedback. I have added some comments to your written remarks below.

I also appreciated your informal feedback early in the semester, BEFORE this survey was released. I think most of your suggestions have been implemented, where possible. (For example: have students put more solutions on the blackboard, use a "step 1", "step 2"...etc. approach whenever possible, avoid shortcuts, keep the explanations simple.)

Thanks for your efforts. These surveys not only help me become a better instructor, they benefit you too! You have been an active participant in improving your learning environment and this will give you food for thought in future courses. As promised, these survey results are now a public document (linked from my homepage at http://homepages.cambriancollege.ca/gbcooper   ). I'll also be notifying your program coordinator and our Dean of the results. I intend to use this data in future classes (hopefully, ones with you!) and I'll encourage future MTH1130 professors to take a look when planning this course."..........................Greg

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Tips to help you understand the stats

  1. "N=12" refers to the sample size, or the number of students who answered the question(s).
  2. The "-" column refers to the number of students who chose to NOT answer that particular question.
  3. The "Mean" represents the average response for that question. For example, a mean of "1.5" means the average is somewhere between a "1" (I strongly agree) and a "2" (I agree somewhat).
  4. The "SD" or "standard deviation" refers to a measure of how widely dispersed the values are from the average value (the mean) based on our sample, which is relatively small (N=26 It's like a "plus or minus" value that qualifies the range of each mean.
  5. The "median" is the "midpoint" between the highest and lowest value of the responses. (1,2,3,4, or 5 corresponding to a,b,c,d or e)
  6. The "mode" is the most frequent value or values of the response (a,b,c,d, or e)

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Overall results at a quick glance

a = I strongly agree, b = I agree somewhat, c = I'm neutral, d = I disagree somewhat, e = I strongly disagree

Title N Frequency Mean SD Median Mode
- a b c d e
 1CO course is excellent? 12 0 4 6 1 1 0 1.92 0.90 2.0 b
 1CO expectations are clear 12 0 6 6 0 0 0 1.50 0.52 1.5 a,b
 1CO explains concepts 12 0 4 6 1 0 1 2.00 1.13 2.0 b
 1CO gives overview 12 0 9 2 1 0 0 1.33 0.65 1.0 a
 1CO instructor is knowledgeable 12 0 8 3 0 0 1 1.58 1.16 1.0 a
 1CO learning something 12 0 7 3 2 0 0 1.58 0.79 1.0 a
 2PR classes are not stimulating 12 0 2 1 4 3 2 3.17 1.34 3.0 c
 2PR sense of humor 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 2PR use web site 12 0 6 5 1 0 0 1.58 0.67 1.5 a
 2PR web site useful 12 0 6 2 4 0 0 1.83 0.94 1.5 a
 3IN invites feedback 12 0 10 2 0 0 0 1.17 0.39 1.0 a
 3IN marking is fair 12 0 9 3 0 0 0 1.25 0.45 1.0 a
 3IN material returned on time 12 0 8 4 0 0 0 1.33 0.49 1.0 a
 3IN respect for students 12 0 11 1 0 0 0 1.08 0.29 1.0 a
 4OV hard to know what's important 12 0 0 4 4 2 2 3.17 1.11 3.0 b,c
 4OV not good use of class time 12 0 0 4 1 3 4 3.58 1.31 4.0 b,e
 5CM deals with disruption 12 0 6 5 1 0 0 1.58 0.67 1.5 a
 5CM helps students succeed 12 0 8 3 0 1 0 1.50 0.90 1.0 a
 5CM instructor is organized 12 0 5 6 1 0 0 1.67 0.65 2.0 b
 6OB learn outcome1 12 0 7 4 1 0 0 1.50 0.67 1.0 a
 6OB learn outcome2 12 0 5 4 2 1 0 1.92 1.00 2.0 a
 6OB learn outcome3 12 0 5 1 5 0 1 2.25 1.29 2.5 a,c
 6OB learn outcome4 12 0 3 4 4 0 1 2.33 1.15 2.0 b,c
 7LO survey was clear 12 0 10 2 0 0 0 1.17 0.39 1.0 a

Key to understanding survey question categories:

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The Survey Questions

An "a,b,c,d,e" scale was used for survey question responses, using the following:

a = I strongly agree, b = I agree somewhat, c = I'm neutral, d = I disagree somewhat, e = I strongly disagree

The questions that were used on the survey were:

General Questions:

  1. Overall, I would rate this course so far, as "excellent".
  2. I have a clear idea of what I am expected to learn.
  3. The instructor explains concepts clearly and effectively.
  4. The instructor gives an overview of what is going to take place at the beginning of the class so students know direction & purpose.
  5. The instructor is knowledgeable on the course material.
  6. Overall, I am learning something in this course that is valuable now, and will be later, after I graduate.
  7. The classes are not stimulating.
  8. The instructor maintains a sense of humor and applies it in an appropriate fashion.
  9. The Web site(s) are used effectively in this course. (e.g. WebCT, external web sites, etc.)
  10. The Web site(s) have provided me with important learning & information resources in this course. (e.g. WebCT, external Web sites, etc.)
  11. The instructor invites feedback from students and accepts constructive criticism without becoming defensive.
  12. Evaluation of course work (labs, assignments, tests, etc.) has been fair.
  13. Course material (labs, assignments, tests, etc.) has been returned in a reasonable time.
  14. The instructor treats students with respect.
  15. It is hard to know which material is important.
  16. The instructor does not make good use of class time.
  17. The instructor deals effectively with disruptions in class/lab activities.
  18. The instructor helps students meet objectives and achieve success.
  19. The instructor conducts organized and well-planned class sessions.
  20. The questions in this survey were worded clearly & concisely.

Course-specific Questions

  1. I am comfortable with and competent at using ratios and rate - related problems
  2. I am comfortable with and competent at using trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent) to solve problems.
  3. I am comfortable with and competent at solving linear expressions.
  4. I am comfortable with and competent at using technology to graph data.

Written-Comment Questions

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Students' written comments

One thing I like about this course:
One thing I dislike about this course:
One thing that would improve this course:
I have an additional comment:

One thing I like about this course:

User ID Response
1 The Teacher, the way he teaches in computers, and in math
2 Very informative
3 the fact that he explains what he is doing well.
4 i like learning new things
5 Math is one of my favorite subjects
6 the teacher is likeable, very fair.
7 Is the fact that Greg is a great guy. Solid, willing to help you anytime of the day(unless he has class)
8 I am very happy with the extra help that is available to us as students.
10 its a fun and good learning enviroment
11 Greg is a greta teacher
12 Greg's sense of humour and down to earth qualities

One thing I dislike about this course:

User ID Response
1 No text book
I have made a suggested that a textbook be specified for this course (and MTH1265)...Greg
2 No Text Book
3 i've done everything before so i have not learned as much
4 not enough trial problems
I agree - but it takes time to make up practice problems. I hope the ones I did do helped you. There is room for improvement here....Greg
5 Students asking un-related questions (question re-worded by me...Greg)
You're right - it's my job to keep the class from getting off track. This was a point made more than once - I hope things have improved by the end of the course....Greg
6 The explanations aren't basic enough, sometimes things are explained to me that I already know, But when he's done I feel more confused than when he started.
7 I don't think I dislike but I think you will understand what I'm about to say. I find that many people are so far behind which will then put me behind. People need to get extra help.
Those folks were encouraged to see me or get extra help. Some did.....Greg
8 Math is rather boring..lol..but not much you can do about that
10 sometimes people are not able to grasp what is being taught and it slows down the class.
11 math isn't clear
12 The 1 hour classes

One thing that would improve this course:

User ID Response
1 To have a text book
2 More time spent on subject
3 nothing much everything is going smoothly
4 explain in one way all the way to the finish.. not three different ways at once then finish the problem..
5 Closing the door if people are late to not interupt the class
6 Less talking, more hands on. More homework sheets. (additional comment removed)...Greg
7 MORE COFFEE
8 It's all good..except for those with poor attendance ...see question #28...but I am sure you've already noticed the connection with poor marks and attendance.
I'm sure those students will notice it too....Greg
10 i would like to have this class in one room that has everything that we need. this would help alot. preferably not on the upper floors.
11 easier explanations
12 Make the classes 3 hours long

I have an additional comment:

User ID Response
1 keep up the jokes. lol
3 i like the class its organized doesn't make me sleep in class and enjoyable
4 Greg is a great computer teacher
5 Keep up the good work! Fun class to attend.
6 Monitor people during tests, VERY closely. If I have to study and pay attention, so should everybody! Even my buddies.
I agree. I'll endeavor to improve on this....Greg
7 GREG YOUR MY HERO
8 I am glad to see all the extra help..but if you take note of those needing extra help and their attendance I am sure you will see a relationship. I feel that those who don't make an effort to show up for class should go else where for extra help and stop tieing up our class time.
10 thanks for all the hard (work) and help Greg.
11 all and all its alright

 

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