ISP 2351 Results of Survey 2

"Once again, the survey results are excellent! Not only did 94% of you respond this time, you indicated improvement in all "critical" categories identified in the October survey. 96% of you felt you are learning in this course, compared with only 84% in October. These two surveys will help me tremendously in planning future courses, and improving this one. Take pride in the knowledge that future Sys Arc II'ers should benefit from this informal "research project." There are some benefits to you, too! Read the rest of this report to see what they are.

As always, the things that I'm doing well now - I'll keep doing. The things that need to be improved - I'll work on those...there's always room for improvement. Thanks for "taking the risk"....Greg"

NOTES ON INTERPRETING THE STATS:

1. 50 out of a possible 53 surveys were returned (94% return rate, 96% rate on October survey ) EXCELLENT!
2. Percentages are rounded to the nearest tenth.
3. Number of responses for any question cannot exceed 50.
4. Questions that add up to less than 50 means some students did not respond to all questions.
5. I estimate my transcription/addition accuracy to be no worse than 2 responses out of 50 for any question (ą 4.0%).
6. Responses to the last four questions have been summarized and/or edited for brevity.

QUESTION	# of re- sponses	I STRONGLY AGREE	I AGREE SOMEWHAT	I'M NEUTRAL	I DISAGREE SOMEWHAT	I STRONGLY DISAGREE
1. The course is meeting my expectations	50	25 (50%)	22 (44%)	3 (6%)	0	0
2. The instructor is knowledgeable on the course topic.	50	48 (92%)	4 (8%)	0	0	0
3. The instructor is well prepared.	50	45 (90%)	4 (8%)	0	1 (2%)	0
4. Enough time is allowed for questions and discussions.	50	38 (76%)	11 (22%)	0	1 (2%)	0
5. The instructor communicates clearly.	48	45 (94%)	2 (4%)	1 (2%)	0	0
6. The instructor uses multimedia effectively.	49	33 (67%)	12 (25%)	3 (6%)	0	0
7. The textbook is appropriate for this course.	50	45 (90%)	4 (8%)	0	0	1 (2%)
8. The textbook is used in this course.	50	46 (88%)	6 (12%)	0	0	0
9. The lecture content and delivery is appropriate for this course.	50	40 (80%)	8 (16%)	1 (2%)	1 (2%)	0
10. The lab exercises are appropriate for this course.	50	36 (71%)	10 (20%)	5 (9%)	0	0
11. I am learning in this course.	49	34 (69%)	13 (27%)	2 (4%)	0	0
12. Overall, I would rate this course as "excellent."	49	29 (59%)	18 (37%)	2 (4%)	0	0
13. The Web site is a helpful tool for this course.	49	44 (90%)	4 (8%)	1 (2%)	0	0
14. I am able to learn on my own using the Web site.	49	31 (63%)	11 (22%)	6 (12%)	1 (2%)	0
15. I use the Web site frequently.	50	36 (69%)	14 (27%)	2 (4%)	0	0

ISSUE	STRATEGY
Equipment.	Your #1 concern. Your in-class comments, these survey results and my observations are the data Bob V. and I can take back to our department. We will recommend as strongly as possible for new or improved, WORKING equipment and software. There also needs to be some continuity from lab to lab, such as one machine per group, or sufficient backups to keep things running 100%.
Time.	Many of your comments are related to either too much material or not enough time to cover it. Here are two ideas: (1) Course content and evaluation methods can be modified through proper channels, such as your ISBU/RIMP advisory committee, (Say...do you know who your student reps are? No? Find out and talk to them about this.) (2) Another way is to re-organize existing content. For example, it would have been appropriate to have student presentations in the software component of the course. You're presenting material that needs to be covered, and receiving a grade at the same time. There is no rule that says I have to present all of the material. I didn't think of this at the time, but I would try this the next time. This would free up a large chunk of time in the hardware component.
Hands-on.	In a variety of ways, you emphasized the importance of this aspect of the course. You enjoyed it. Some of you felt the "doing it" part was the catalyst that helped you learn. It was the part many of you eagerly anticipated. Some of you even said it was FUN! Any course improvements or changes that I can suggest or implement should keep these thoughts in mind. In other words, I shouldn't do anything that might diminish this most favorable aspect of the course, right?
The "teaching".	Many suggestions for improvement were offered in the previous survey ("slow down", less housekeeping, too much time between tests, appropriate lecture content & delivery), etc. Although there is and always will be room for improvement, and I may not have addressed all your concerns, I hope I addressed the "critical success" ones. Judging by the survey, there were far fewer concerns this time indicated in the "disagree somewhat" or "strongly disagree" ranking for any category: This survey: not more than one response per question = 2%, for a total of five responses. In the previous survey: thirteen responses over the same two categories
The Web site	In the informal poll at the start of the course, approx. five students out of a then possible 55 indicated they had no off-campus access to the Internet or off-campus access to a computer. It will be important to conduct these polls and keep this in mind when setting up a course Web site. Regardless, an overwhelming majority (98%) felt the Web site was helpful in this course and 96% of you "used the Web site frequently." Many of you told me that the off-campus access and the Web site content made preparing for a quiz or test easy. I wasn't expecting a strong favorable response to question #14 (I am able to learn on my own using the Web site", because there is little, if any, active learning embedded in the site. I suspect the on-line availability of chapter reviews, quizzes, previous tests, and the discussion board was what prompted 85% of you to respond favorably. There is much room for improvement in this area and I see it as my next opportunity/challenge!
How will this benefit YOU?	Many of you will be in one or more of my classes next semester. The ideas and feedback we have shared, and the process by which we used this information, will lead to a continued positive learning experience: You are already familiar with my teaching/facilitation style, my expectations, performance, etc. and vice versa. You know that the constructive feedback - positive change process works! Let's continue to use it. I intend to capitalize on the positive experience many of you have had using this course Web site. I hope to accomplish even more next semester. This will be especially appropriate in the independent learning course some of you will be taking.
Anything else?	I think I've focused on the key issues identified in this survey. However, I may have overlooked something, or not given enough weight to a problem you identified. If so, feel free to drop me a note. (Drop off your explanation in an anonymous note at my mailbox in the School of Business, or at my office - room 2166.)