STY1215 - PROGRAMMING I
RESULTS OF FIRST and SECOND ONLINE COURSE SURVEY
FEB and APRIL 2008

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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 in both surveys. Four out of a possible 12 students (by this point in the semester) responded (approx. 33%) in the first survey. Although a 33% response rate is deemed a good rate statistically, I know that it is not representative for this class. How do I know? Based on feedback and informal class discussions we have had on this course, the program overall, and suggestions you have made for the first semester introductory programming course. Those sessions have been very helpful in my input to the program renewal process and are already being taken into consideration. The results of these specific surveys I'll take "with a grain of salt", but they are valuable nonetheless. Overall, feedback was positive.

The second survey response rate was smaller (only 2 out of 12 students responded (approx. 17%). I have included the results for information only - see below.

Your written comments demonstrate some insightful observations about the course content, resources, and my teaching methods.  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 STY1215 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=12) 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 (FIRST SURVEY)

Title N Frequency Mean SD Median Mode
- a b c d e
 1CO course is excellent? 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 1.50 0.58 1.5 a,b
 1CO expectations are clear 4 0 1 2 1 0 0 2.00 0.82 2.0 b
 1CO explains concepts 4 0 2 1 1 0 0 1.75 0.96 1.5 a
 1CO gives overview 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 1CO instructor is knowledgeable 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 1CO learning something 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 2PR classes are not stimulating 4 0 1 0 2 1 0 2.75 1.26 3.0 c
 2PR sense of humor 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 2PR textbook is used 4 0 1 2 0 1 0 2.25 1.26 2.0 b
 2PR use web site 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 1.50 0.58 1.5 a,b
 2PR web site useful 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 1.75 0.50 2.0 b
 3IN invites feedback 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 3IN marking is fair 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 3IN material returned on time 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 1.50 0.58 1.5 a,b
 3IN respect for students 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 4OV hard to know what's important 4 0 1 2 0 1 0 2.25 1.26 2.0 b
 4OV not good use of class time 4 0 0 0 1 2 1 4.00 0.82 4.0 d
 5CM deals with disruption 4 0 2 1 1 0 0 1.75 0.96 1.5 a
 5CM helps students succeed 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 5CM instructor is organized 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 1.50 0.58 1.5 a,b
 6OB learn outcome1 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 1.75 0.50 2.0 b
 6OB learn outcome2 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 1.75 0.50 2.0 b
 6OB learn outcome3 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 1.75 0.50 2.0 b
 6OB learn outcome4 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 1.75 0.50 2.0 b
 6OB learning outcome 5 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 1.25 0.50 1.0 a
 7LO survey was clear 4 0 1 2 1 0 0 2.00 0.82 2.0 b

 

Overall results at a quick glance (SECOND SURVEY)

Title N Frequency Mean SD Median Mode
- a b c d e
 1CO course is excellent? 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2.00 0.00 2.0 b
 1CO expectations are clear 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2.00 0.00 2.0 b
 1CO explains concepts 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.50 0.71 2.5 b,c
 1CO gives overview 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 1CO instructor is knowledgeable 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 2.00 1.41 2.0 a,c
 1CO learning something 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2.00 0.00 2.0 b
 2PR classes are not stimulating 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 2.00 1.41 2.0 a,c
 2PR sense of humor 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 2PR textbook is used 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 2PR use web site 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 2PR web site useful 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 3IN invites feedback 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 3IN marking is fair 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 3IN material returned on time 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 2.00 1.41 2.0 a,c
 3IN respect for students 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1.00 0.00 1.0 a
 4OV hard to know what's important 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 4OV not good use of class time 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 4.50 0.71 4.5 d,e
 5CM deals with disruption 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 2.00 1.41 2.0 a,c
 5CM helps students succeed 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 5CM instructor is organized 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.50 0.71 2.5 b,c
 6OB learn outcome1 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.50 0.71 3.5 c,d
 6OB learn outcome2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.50 0.71 3.5 c,d
 6OB learn outcome3 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 3.00 1.41 3.0 b,d
 6OB learn outcome4 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 6OB learning outcome 5 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b
 7LO survey was clear 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2.00 0.00 2.0 b
 7LO uses previous surveys 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 0.71 1.5 a,b

 

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.(this question in second survey only)

Course-specific Questions

  1. I am comfortable with and competent at the understanding of and practice in the use of proper strategies and techniques for program design and development.
  2. I am comfortable with and competent at designing and implementing programs that use advanced features of the programming language.
  3. I am comfortable with and competent at applying structured program design and implementation methodologies.
  4. I am aware of typical programming applications.
  5. I am gaining the background for further study of software design and computer programming.

Written-Comment Questions

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Students' written comments (FIRST AND SECOND SURVEY)

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 learning how to type code
2 It's modular, with a gradual week-by-week learning curve.
3 Greg.
4 The unique programming tutorials that we have to tackle

 

1 The VB project that we had to make
2 This course is hands-n and lets the students manipulate and experience with the Visual Basics application. PLC lab has helped me gain some knowledge.
The PLC module has given us some ideas for the introductory programming course, and teaching applied programming concepts in general...Greg

 

One thing I dislike about this course:

1 when we aren't typing code
3 the ant in the text book. i lothe him.
4 Some of the excerises that can prove difficult to complete

 

1 no comment
2 More concise explanations about programming techniques. Extra help regarding labs.

 

One thing that would improve this course:

1 more typing code
2 More assignments which don't come from the textbook.
3 its own class room.
Isn't room 2653 for SOTY/CPPG students only?....Greg
4 I have no comment in this box

 

1 no comment
2 In need of tutors and extra hands to help with coding

 

I have an additional comment:

3 i apologize to greg, ive stollen 2 of his pens.
That's ok...I stole them from....umm, never mind!....Greg
4 no comment in this box

 

1 no comment
2 N/A

 

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