PRT1115 -
COMPUTERS IN PRE-TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY I
RESULTS OF FIRST ONLINE COURSE SURVEY
FEB
2008
Use these handy links to get to a section fast.
- Note from Greg: READ ME FIRST
- Tips to help you understand the stats
- Overall results at a quick glance
- Survey questions
- Students' written comments
" Thanks to those who participated. 12 out of a possible 24 students (by this point in the semester) responded (approx. 50%). Overall, feedback was very positive in most categories including content, interaction, and 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 strong favorable responses on the questions dealing with: 'I am learning something in this course.", "...helping students succeed." and instructor respect for students. This is high praise for an instructor! Thank you. I hope to continue to earn your respect!
Your written comments demonstrate some insightful observations about the course content, resources, and my teaching methods. Although they are not all positive, they are certainly constructive. Several suggestions have already been implemented, and I will be interested in subsequent feedback to see if you agree. I have added some comments to your written remarks below.
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 PRT1115 professors (and your PRT1215 instructor) to take a look when planning this course."..........................Greg
Tips to help you understand the stats
- "N=12" refers to the sample size, or the number of students who answered the question(s).
- The "-" column refers to the number of students who chose to NOT answer that particular question.
- 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).
- 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=12) It's like a "plus or minus" value that qualifies the range of each mean.
- 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)
- The "mode" is the most frequent value or values of the response (a,b,c,d, or e)
Overall results at a quick glance
| Title | N | Frequency | Mean | SD | Median | Mode | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | a | b | c | d | e | ||||||
| 1CO course is excellent? | 12 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2.00 | 0.85 | 2.0 | a,b,c |
| 1CO expectations are clear | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.67 | 0.65 | 2.0 | b |
| 1CO explains concepts | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.25 | 0.62 | 1.0 | a |
| 1CO gives overview | 12 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.08 | 0.29 | 1.0 | a |
| 1CO instructor is knowledgeable | 12 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.17 | 0.39 | 1.0 | a |
| 1CO learning something | 12 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.75 | 1.14 | 1.5 | a |
| 2PR classes are not stimulating | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3.42 | 1.16 | 3.5 | c,d |
| 2PR sense of humor | 12 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 | 0.51 | 1.0 | a |
| 2PR textbook is used | 12 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 | 1.04 | 2.0 | a |
| 2PR use web site | 12 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 | 0.51 | 1.0 | a |
| 2PR web site useful | 12 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.58 | 0.79 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN invites feedback | 12 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 | 0.79 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN marking is fair | 12 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.33 | 0.49 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN material returned on time | 12 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 | 0.67 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN respect for students | 12 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 1.0 | a |
| 4OV hard to know what's important | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3.67 | 1.23 | 4.0 | e |
| 4OV not good use of class time | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 4.33 | 1.15 | 5.0 | e |
| 5CM deals with disruption | 12 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 | 0.80 | 1.0 | a |
| 5CM helps students succeed | 12 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.17 | 0.58 | 1.0 | a |
| 5CM instructor is organized | 12 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.33 | 0.78 | 1.0 | a |
| 6OB learn outcome1 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 | 0.67 | 1.0 | a |
| 6OB learn outcome2 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.08 | 1.08 | 2.0 | b |
| 6OB learn outcome3 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.33 | 0.65 | 1.0 | a |
| 6OB learn outcome4 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 | 0.79 | 1.0 | a |
| 6OB learning outcome 5 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.83 | 1.27 | 1.0 | a |
| 6OB learning outcome 6 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2.42 | 1.24 | 2.0 | b |
| 6OB learning outcome 7 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2.67 | 1.44 | 2.5 | a,b,c |
| 6OB learning outcome 8 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3.00 | 1.48 | 3.0 | a,c,d |
| 7LO survey was clear | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.25 | 0.62 | 1.0 | a |
Key to understanding survey question categories:
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:
- Overall, I would rate this course so far, as "excellent".
- I have a clear idea of what I am expected to learn.
- The instructor explains concepts clearly and effectively.
- The instructor gives an overview of what is going to take place at the beginning of the class so students know direction & purpose.
- The instructor is knowledgeable on the course material.
- Overall, I am learning something in this course that is valuable now, and will be later, after I graduate.
- The classes are not stimulating.
- The instructor maintains a sense of humor and applies it in an appropriate fashion.
- The Web site(s) are used effectively in this course. (e.g. WebCT, external web sites, etc.)
- The Web site(s) have provided me with important learning & information resources in this course. (e.g. WebCT, external Web sites, etc.)
- The instructor invites feedback from students and accepts constructive criticism without becoming defensive.
- Evaluation of course work (labs, assignments, tests, etc.) has been fair.
- Course material (labs, assignments, tests, etc.) has been returned in a reasonable time.
- The instructor treats students with respect.
- It is hard to know which material is important.
- The instructor does not make good use of class time.
- The instructor deals effectively with disruptions in class/lab activities.
- The instructor helps students meet objectives and achieve success.
- The instructor conducts organized and well-planned class sessions.
- The questions in this survey were worded clearly & concisely.
Course-specific Questions
- I am comfortable with and competent at understanding basic computer concepts and terminology.
- I am comfortable with and competent at dis-assembling and re-assembling various computer hardware components
- I am comfortable with and competent at managing files and folders in a structured manner, and effectively utilizing college network resources
- I am comfortable with and competent at processing information from a variety of Internet sources to create valid business documents
- I am comfortable with and competent at producing professional documents and reports using a word processing package
- I am comfortable with and competent at automating and generating professional spreadsheet applications
- I am comfortable with and competent at creating professional presentations using presentation software
- I am comfortable with and competent at understanding basic software and hardware concepts of programmable logic controllers (PLC�s) in an applied Trades context
Written-Comment Questions
- 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:
| 1 | I like the teacher he is very informative. I have a basic understanding of computers but he has added to my knowledge quite a bit. |
| 2 | Workload |
| 3 | opportunity to become buddy buddy with computer faculty |
| 4 | The teacher is great |
| 5 | teaches the average person on how to use and utilize a computer without any major problems. |
| 7 | gaining knowledge of the physical computer...assemblying and dissembling. |
| 8 | the teacher great teaching skills |
| 9 | I like how its taught in simple language. There are some technical terms used, but its kept simple and that makes it enjoyable to be in class. |
| 10 | I'm learning something! |
| 11 | This Course is an exellent refresher |
| 13 | that the teacher knows what he is talking about so it's easier to learn. |
One thing I dislike about this course:
| 1 | There isn't much that I don't like about it. |
| 2 | Labs |
| 3 | its lame, Im sittin here thinking about building servers and quad core rigs while everyones learning to turn the damn things on. really, i might need this credit to take what i want to take but why cant i build a damn server??? I need that experience and I can help the class with everything else to your hearts content but Im bored as all hell. let me build a server mang! |
| 4 | not enough time in class to complete work |
| 5 | The only thing i dislike about this course if the lack of lab time. |
| 7 | Some material can be a bit boring because it is so basic |
| 8 | we never leave early |
| 9 | I think it should be 2 - 2 hours classes, the one hour class goes by way to fast. |
| 10 | Not enough practice on new material. |
| 11 | The fact that we did not really
cover any MacIntosh software or systems. This is an excellent suggestion - I tried this once before in another introductory computer class. but the challenge was a semester split between the Mac lab and a PC lab. If there is ever an opportunity to blend the two, I'll use it....Greg |
| 13 | too many assignments Not counting review quizzes, we will do approximately ten assignments - that's less than one per week. I don't think this is excessive - the purpose is for you to apply the theoretical knowledge in a practical situation and I like to break it down in several, small, "digestible" chunks. I hope this works for you.....Greg |
One thing that would improve this course:
| 1 | Not much to add here |
| 2 | nothing |
| 3 | students would have a basic
understanding of what an operating system is. they would be fluent at
manipulating files with the microsoft disk operating system. formatting,
moving, deleting, copying, navigating. then I would introduce them to
several graphical user interfaces and help them to adapt between the various
environments and operate/manipulate within them. then I would teach them
their trade related information and how to keep an online computer snappy
and clean. I would teach them safe browsing with firefox and noscript and
adblock installed. I would teach basic overclocking, and i would go into
detail about how to build computers properly, not just snapping everything
into place. ex, seating the hsf on a cpu, I would teach the students to
clean the hsf and cpu heat spreader, then i would make recommnendations for
the thermal compounds to use such as arctic silver. I would show them how to
properly seat and install the hsf, and i would teach them how to route the
cables in a cleaner manner as to allow better airflow and provide less
thermal resistance. everything, would go in to detail with me, as I have
about 13 years of experience building, breaking, troubleshooting, and
overclocking pcs. i would even teach my students how to properly manipulate
the network here which has not been done yet in our class This is an excellent overview of what an introductory computer course could cover. Thanks for your thoughtful response. I think we accomplish SOME of these goals now, but there is always room for improvement (and topics)! We're limited on some of the hardware, op/sys and networking suggestions you make due to lab availability and scheduling, but I think there are some creative ways to address a portion of them. Thanks for the suggestions!....Greg |
| 4 | more lab time |
| 5 | One thing i could improve in
this course is to study for tests and quizes. Well done! This is a difficult issue for students to realize. I hope I made it easier for you to accomplish your goals!....Greg |
| 7 | I feel the course is fine the way it is because somethings I may find easy others may find hard and vise versa |
| 8 | faster computers |
| 9 | cant think of anything i would improve on. |
| 10 | more hands-on (physically) the
computer,to follow along with insrtuctor while he is explaining lesson. Actually, I encouraged this in many lectures/labs. There is always room for improvement. I hope this improved for you after this survey....Greg |
| 11 | Mac knowledge |
| 13 | the amount of time given for assignments |
| 1 | I enjoy this course alot. |
| 2 | nope |
| 3 | linux is fun |
| 4 | love computers!! |
| 7 | Great Work Greg! |
| 8 | no comment |
| 9 | I think this is a really good
course, very enjoyable and I like the fact that we can combine our english
class assignments with our computer assignments. I also like the fact that
we started almost from scratch, not everyone knew alot of information about
computers, and it was nice that it was not assumed that we did. Give your English teacher the credit - it was her idea to use a "common" assignment!....Greg |
| 10 | I would like to have prctice
lab: in class, step by step with instr, before actual lab. Yes, a good idea. I tried to accomplish this in part, by posting labs online PRIOR to lab/class time, but I realize there wasn't very much lead time for you to try them first. I should be able to improve on this, now that I have developed this version of the course and taught it for the first time....Greg |
| 11 | I like Greg's teaching aproach |
| 13 | nothing else to comment on |
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