MTH1130 - RESULTS OF SECOND ONLINE COURSE SURVEY - APRIL 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
Back to Greg's Homepage
 


Note from Greg

" Thanks to those who participated. 30% of the students responded. Overall, feedback was fairly positive (except where noted) in all categories: content, presentation, student attention, interaction, information, work overload, class management, and all four course outcomes. It was interesting to note the favorable response on the questions dealing with instructor knowledge, humor, respect for students, knowing what's important, and good use of class time. There is room for improvement in the course overall and dealing with disruption. I have added some comments to your written remarks below. Although this feedback was constructive, it is difficult to gauge how representative this class survey was, due to the low response rate (only 30%). However, it is appreciated nonetheless.

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=6" 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=20). 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? 6 0 1 4 0 1 0 2.17 0.98 2.0 b
 1CO expectations are clear 6 0 4 2 0 0 0 1.33 0.52 1.0 a
 1CO explains concepts 6 0 3 3 0 0 0 1.50 0.55 1.5 a,b
 1CO gives overview 6 0 5 1 0 0 0 1.17 0.41 1.0 a
 1CO instructor is knowledgeable 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 1CO learning something 6 0 4 1 0 0 1 1.83 1.60 1.0 a
 2PR classes are not stimulating 6 0 1 0 2 2 1 3.33 1.37 3.5 c,d
 2PR sense of humor 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 2PR use web site 6 0 4 1 1 0 0 1.50 0.84 1.0 a
 2PR web site useful 6 0 3 2 1 0 0 1.67 0.82 1.5 a
 3IN invites feedback 6 0 5 1 0 0 0 1.17 0.41 1.0 a
 3IN marking is fair 6 0 3 3 0 0 0 1.50 0.55 1.5 a,b
 3IN material returned on time 6 0 4 2 0 0 0 1.33 0.52 1.0 a
 3IN respect for students 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 4OV hard to know what's important 6 0 0 0 1 3 2 4.17 0.75 4.0 d
 4OV not good use of class time 6 0 0 0 1 3 2 4.17 0.75 4.0 d
 5CM deals with disruption 6 0 2 3 0 0 1 2.17 1.47 2.0 b
 5CM helps students succeed 6 0 5 1 0 0 0 1.17 0.41 1.0 a
 5CM instructor is organized 6 0 3 3 0 0 0 1.50 0.55 1.5 a,b
 6OB learn outcome1 6 0 4 2 0 0 0 1.33 0.52 1.0 a
 6OB learn outcome2 6 0 3 2 1 0 0 1.67 0.82 1.5 a
 6OB learn outcome3 6 0 2 3 1 0 0 1.83 0.75 2.0 b
 6OB learn outcome4 6 0 2 4 0 0 0 1.67 0.52 2.0 b
 7LO survey was clear 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 7LO uses previous surveys 6 0 4 2 0 0 0 1.33 0.52 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.
  21. Overall, constructive feedback from previous surveys has been acknowledged and effectively implemented in the course.

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 I like that our class asignments are on-line
3 The fact that I can talk to Greg about anything. I find him a very good teacher and people need to realize that its not Greg who isn't teaching the class, its the class that isn't understand the material.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, BUT....it's my job to find out why and deal with the problem. I hope I was able to help some of those who didn't initially understand the material....Greg
4 The humour.
5 I am learning new stuff
Me too!...Greg
6 SOH CAH TOA!

One thing I dislike about this course:

User ID Response
1 we have class at 8:30am..but I know its out of your control
3 I'd rather not be negative but, I haven learn anything yet.
You're not being negative - this is CONSTRUCTIVE feedback and I appreciate it. One option you did have was to work ahead - the topic list, theory notes and (later) the practice problems were online....Greg
4 No textbook.
I have suggested one be specified for this course and the second math course - MTH1265....Greg
5 The general math, never really liked it
6 ...

One thing that would improve this course:

User ID Response
1 more hands on
3 .... I don't know, I think upgrading is the route I should have went.
4 More class time throughout the week.
We were scheduled for five hours per week - that is a large "chunk" of your timetable. Did you mean more "available" time to work on practice problems, like a tutorial or lab?....Greg
5 Nothing
6 Text book for exemples

I have an additional comment:

User ID Response
1 have a nice day :)
3 Hey Greg, I still (enjoyed this course) Comment modified....Greg
4 SOH-CAH-TOA
5 Very good work teaching a bunch of people who have no idea what to do
I think many of the students have a good idea now!.....Greg

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