PRT1215 -
COMPUTERS IN PRE-TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY II
RESULTS OF SECOND ONLINE COURSE SURVEY
APR
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. 10 out of a possible 14 students (by this point in the semester) responded (approx. 71%). This is a good turnout, and the results are more representative of the class when there are more responses. Overall, feedback was very positive. Responses for "instructor knowledge" and "respect for students" were all in the "I strongly agree" category. This is high praise for an instructor, indeed! There were gains in all of the learning outcome questions, compared to the first survey. There were concerns about "classes were not stimulating..." and "...hard to know what's important." and there is room for improvement in these areas.
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. . 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 PRT1215 professors to take a look when planning this course."..........................Greg
Tips to help you understand the stats
- "N=14" 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=14) 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? | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.80 | 0.79 | 2.0 | a,b |
| 1CO expectations are clear | 10 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.60 | 0.52 | 2.0 | b |
| 1CO explains concepts | 10 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.40 | 0.52 | 1.0 | a |
| 1CO gives overview | 10 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.30 | 0.48 | 1.0 | a |
| 1CO instructor is knowledgeable | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 1.0 | a |
| 1CO learning something | 10 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.90 | 0.74 | 2.0 | b |
| 2PR classes are not stimulating | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3.10 | 1.20 | 3.0 | c,d |
| 2PR sense of humor | 10 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.60 | 0.70 | 1.5 | a |
| 2PR textbook is used | 10 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.90 | 0.74 | 2.0 | b |
| 2PR use web site | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.80 | 0.79 | 2.0 | a,b |
| 2PR web site useful | 10 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.90 | 0.57 | 2.0 | b |
| 3IN invites feedback | 10 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.40 | 0.52 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN marking is fair | 10 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.60 | 0.97 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN material returned on time | 10 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.40 | 0.70 | 1.0 | a |
| 3IN respect for students | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 1.0 | a |
| 4OV hard to know what's important | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2.90 | 1.20 | 2.5 | b |
| 4OV not good use of class time | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4.00 | 0.94 | 4.0 | c,e |
| 5CM deals with disruption | 10 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.90 | 0.74 | 2.0 | b |
| 5CM helps students succeed | 10 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.60 | 0.52 | 2.0 | b |
| 5CM instructor is organized | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 | 0.53 | 1.5 | a,b |
| 6OB learn outcome1 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.60 | 0.70 | 1.5 | a |
| 6OB learn outcome2 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.60 | 0.70 | 1.5 | a |
| 6OB learn outcome3 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.00 | 0.47 | 2.0 | b |
| 6OB learn outcome4 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.20 | 0.63 | 2.0 | b |
| 7LO survey was clear | 9 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.67 | 0.50 | 2.0 | b |
| 7LO uses previous surveys | 10 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.10 | 0.74 | 2.0 | b |
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 configuring and customizing the user desktop in Windows XP operating system.
- I am comfortable with and competent at using advanced aspects of presentation software and preparing basic animations.
- I am comfortable with and competent at building and modifying a single web page and multi-page websites using basic HTML tools and related applications.
- I am comfortable with and competent at understanding and applying basic concepts in computer-related problem-solving, programming, numeracy and visual/diagramming tools.
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 people and the teachers |
| 2 | Greg |
| 3 | That there is a relaxed amount of time to complete labs,assignments etc. even though we only have two classes a week in computers. |
| 5 | The instuctor is very knowlegable and able to explain things effectivly |
| 6 | good teaching |
| 7 | lots of time to finish assignments |
| 8 | the different topics all semester/ building a
website Thanks for the comment. Take some credit - you guys "bought into" the proposed topic/content list back in week one, remember?....Greg |
| 9 | new stuff |
| 10 | easy to follow lessons and instructions |
One thing I dislike about this course:
| 1 | I felt that people who didn't show up and got
chances to make up for things that we were on time for was not fair...We
worked har to get things done on time and they should be as well....... Excellent point. And I agree with you 100%. But keep in mind those folks who missed a major assessment (e.g. review quiz, test or presentation) had to contact me prior AND provide corroborating documentation. Then they were permitted to submit something late or whatever applied to their situation. The ones that didn't were NOT allowed to make up the missed assessment. I don't believe this is unfair when there are legitimate extenuating circumstances. For assignments/labs I was more flexible....Greg |
| 2 | There's nothing i didn't like about this course. |
| 3 | I think that it may need handout notes so
that students can have material to study from. Even though there is material
up on webct, i believe that there should be more handouts or written
assignments so that we can have some material to study off of. I agree. Excellent point. I am evaluating some textbooks and am recommending one be adopted for this course. This would be the basis for course notes, and my online notes would supplement the practical labs....Greg |
| 5 | Sometimes the instructor talks off subject to
long and runs into time restraints in our class time on the computers. Not too often, I hope. Thanks for the reminder. Always room for improvement!...Greg |
| 6 | nothing |
| 7 | i got nothing |
| 8 | not enough time in class, to complete work |
| 9 | nothing |
| 10 | the chairs |
One thing that would improve this course:
| 1 | everything was fine |
| 2 | powerpoint |
| 3 | Discussions in class should come in handouts or notes so that we as students can look back upon them to study from. |
| 5 | Cancel the student online capeabilities so
they have to pay attention instead of playing on the computers juring class
time I agree. I need to improve on this classroom management issue. Thanks for your comment....Greg |
| 6 | nothing |
| 7 | same as #31 |
| 8 | over all i think this course is fine the way it is!!!!!! |
| 9 | donuts Yes - boston cream and old fashioned glazed!.....Greg |
| 10 | more comfortable chairs/scheduling it as only class of the day |
| 1 | Thank you for everything...I overall really
enjoyed being is this course, I found it really set us up for the programs
that we are getting into next year..... Thanks for the comment. Much credit is deserved by your PRET program coordinator and faculty who supported our efforts, and several program coordinators of other trades and technology programs, who provided me with input on topics in this course and the PRT1115 course....Greg |
| 2 | thanks greg! |
| 3 | But overall i enjoyed this class and the material that i have learned from within this course and was able to learn new material. |
| 5 | Great job Mr. Cooper |
| 6 | nothing |
| 7 | nothing |
| 8 | Have a good/ safe summer!!!! |
| 9 | boston cream donuts |
| 10 | autobots roll out ? I will be talking to the automation / instrumentation faculty about integrating some of their modules into this course. The highly successful "PLC" module seems to indicate we're on the right track....Greg |
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