Faculty Survey - Fall 2017

Survey Interpretation
Survey Text
Survey Results
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Survey Interpretation

Computer Lab Management (CLM) periodically surveys faculty who teach in our computer classrooms. CLM uses this information to improve the quality of service in the computer classrooms.

The survey results(especially questions #2, #6 and #7) show that overall faculty are quite happy with the computer classrooms.

However, there were several questions and/or concerns raised by faculty so CLM will follow up on these items:

  • There were several concerns about the layout of a classroom. In general we have two main layouts, but both have design trade-offs which make some types of teaching exercises more difficult. We are always looking for feedback from faculty to improve the design of our rooms and will investigate alternative room layouts for future renovations.
  • Olson Hall has an on-going cricket problem. We are working with Facilites to try to resolve the issue, but have not found a long term solution. Since it is an old building there might not be a feasible long-term soltion for the rooms in basement.

Survey Text

On 12/6/2017 Computer Lab Management sent an email to faculty who had taught in the computer rooms during Fall 2017 asking them to fill out this survey.

Survey Results

There were 17 responses.

Question 2. Please rate the following aspects of our services:

  Needs significant improvement Needs some improvement Needs little or no improvement No opinion
Classroom availability (able to reserve times needed) 0 0 10 7
Support from computer lab managers 0 0 11 6
Support from the Computer Room Consultant (CRC) 0 0 12 4
Preparedness of the classroom (room cleared out, whiteboard supplies, etc.) 0 2 15 0
Equipment reliability 0 3 14 0
Computer speed and usability 0 1 16 0
Preventing classroom interruptions 0 1 15 1
Larger classrooms (to accommodate more students) 0 0 11 6
Larger classrooms (to allow more workspace at each station) 1 0 13 3
Smaller classrooms 0 0 11 6
Temperature control (room was too hot or too cold) 0 1 15 1
Cleanliness of the classroom 0 1 16 0
Classroom environment (for example: quieter, better layout) - Please specify below 1 1 14 1
Other - Please specify below 1 0 2 6

Classroom environment and Other reasons:

  • The layout of the classroom is not conducive to discussion or collaborative work, and neither is it conducive to lecture. Students are oriented toward their screens only, which (based on my experience teaching in non-computer classrooms) really inhibits their willingness to talk to each other, to move around the room, and to feel like active learners. (21 Olson)
  • While overall the room is clean, there are crickets. I know this is probably a harder problem to combat since the room is in the basement, but crickets randomly walking across the classroom is distracting and not ideal. (27 Olson)
  • I know that the classroom layout options are limited, but the "everyone facing forward" setup in 90A is not my favorite since it can be harder for students to interact with each other. The setup in 90B has more room for moving around and doing different configurations.
  • I like the size of 247, I do miss the laptops in here, which were great for the students to close during discussions.
  • Attendants should make sure the white board pens are all good and remove any leftover food or cups from food rack. When requesting attendant help from the instructor screen there should be some action response to know the message was sent.

Question 3. How would you rate your overall experience teaching in CLM Computer Classrooms this quarter compared with previous quarters?

Better 1
Same 10
Worse 1
N/A 5

"Better" Reasons given:

  • Staff support is great.

"Same" Reasons given:

  • Excellent as before
  • I'm pleased with this classroom.
  • I'm really happy with the lab and the setup
  • Great experience; only encountered one significant technical problem (that was quickly resolved) and two insignificant software bugs (that could be worked around).

"Worse" Reasons given:

  • White board is cluttered with notes when I arrive. Room was locked the day before Thanksgiving, and it took a few minutes to get it unlocked.

Question 4. What pedagogical issues, if any, have you faced while teaching in a computer classroom?

  • Hard to do group work
  • maintaining student attention and involvement while they are oriented toward screens
  • In Olson 241 it's fine because of the layout of the room, but in some rooms (i.e. in SCC) it's hard to see student's behind large computer monitors.
  • I haven't--having the computers has been great!
  • Need more space for small group discussions.
  • We ran out marker pens quickly.
  • Would be nice if Stata could be on computers in more labs for students to use when classes are happening
  • I'd like a more flexible space, but I understand that this is difficult.
  • Only issue is that non-computer group work can be challenging with workstations in rows.
  • Main challenge is that group work is a little difficult, especially if every group is talking, or if groups are talking to one another. (Too loud, not comfortable, as some students have to stand.)

Question 5. What technological issues, if any, have you faced while teaching in a computer classroom?

  • This quarter, for the first time, when students drop off work in the Olson class folders, only a handful of their submissions actually show up visibly as being in the folder. In order to see the other folders, I now need to log off and then log back on. In the past, all I needed to do was refresh.
  • I only ever had one issue where I had trouble with the screen, but a CRC worker came right away and taught me how to do what I wanted to correctly.
  • Changing versions of Excel
  • Login issues with some of the computers.
  • None this quarter.
  • Computer were acting out in the Fall quarter freezing at times.
  • Sometimes the projector doesn't project. Or Word can get weird. For example, the TrackChanges tool sometimes just doesn't work. I think the tutor (tool that allows teacher to see students' work) is still having troubles in full screen view.

Question 6. How was your overall teaching experience in the computer classroom?

  • below average
  • Very good
  • My experience was excellent. I'm sad to not be teaching in Shields next quarter!
  • Excellent
  • Very good.
  • Great!
  • Great
  • Great
  • All went great--thank you.
  • good
  • Great. Thank you very much.

Question 7. Do you have any other comments or suggestions regarding the computer classrooms.

  • I'll admit that I am guilty of sometimes leaving a water bottle on the instructor desk instead of the beverage station. I appreciate it when lab staff points it out to me, as it is a complete oversight on my part when I forget to do so. However, I would appreciate it if staff stopped picking up my beverage without my permission and moving it for me. I don't mind if they ask if they'd like me to move it for me, but from a germs standpoint, I'd prefer if I was the only one touching it. This has happened to me several times in several different computer labs over the last 6 months to a year, which makes me think it's a programmatic directive rather than something one person does.
  • You guys are terrific.
  • Everything was great. Thanks!
  • Not currently
  • They're a valuable resource for students and faculty alike. Much in your debt.

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