Faculty Survey - Fall 2018

Survey Interpretation
Survey Text
Survey Results
Other Surveys

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 and #6) 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 a few comments about the whiteboard pens & erasers. We need to do a better job ensuring the classrooms have fresh ones. We currently strive to check them every morning but perhaps we need to do it mid-day as well.
  • There were several concerns about the layout of the desks and how it made group work difficult. In general we have two main layouts, but both have design trade-offs which make some types of teaching exercises more difficult. We have a possible new layout which is designed around small group work which we hope to construct in the new Teaching & Learning Complex scheduled to be completed around 2022.

Survey Text

On 12/5/2018 Computer Lab Management sent an email to faculty who had taught in the computer rooms during Fall 2018 asking them to fill out this survey.

Survey Results

There were 23 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) 1 1 17 4
Support from computer lab managers 0 1 21 1
Support from the Computer Room Consultant (CRC) 0 1 19 3
Preparedness of the classroom (room cleared out, whiteboard supplies, etc.) 0 1 22 0
Computer usability and reliability 1 2 20 0
Preventing classroom interruptions 1 3 19 0
Classroom size (too small or too large) 0 2 21 0
Temperature control (room was too hot or too cold) 0 3 20 0
Layout of the classroom 2 5 16 0
Classroom environment (cleanliness, sound, etc. ) 1 1 21 0
Other - Please specify below 2 0 3 6

Classroom environment and Other reasons:

  • It was common for me to break out into panel discussions, classwide discussions, and group discussions. The latter worked fine from the beginning. To make the former work, I ended up bringing the class to the back of the room by the door and circling chairs. That works for up to 20 people, but won't scale as the class gets larger. Of course, this classroom wasn't designed for that, so I don't see mcuh reason for you to adapt to the problem. I've managed so far.
  • The classroom layout in the SCC makes it really hard for students to consult with each other and work in small groups. The acoustics are also difficult in the room--the echo-y space makes it hard for people in the back to hear what the instructor is saying in the front, and when small groups are talking together, the room gets very loud and makes it hard for people to understand each other.
  • Some of the computers in Shields 90A were having troubles at the beginning of the term. But you resolved them fairly quickly so that's good.
  • Sometimes this quarter the whiteboard pens were all deficient. Maybe do a once a week check? Classroom layout could be improved by having modular, movable, computer stations. You've heard this before from the UWP, just giving traction to the request.
  • CRCs last winter were more present and proactive (particularly Ben). The one time I needed help during class, no one was in the main CLM room.
  • Students arriving late walk past projector if the sit on side opposite the entry door.
  • I am always impressed with our computer classrooms and the support we, instructors, receive. Just a small note: the whiteboard eraser was missing for 2 of my sessions after campus closure. Also if possible please check that the instructor computer is on for the early morning classes. Again these are very small things--thank you.
  • I found the classroom way too cold but understand the computers need a cool environment so not sure if this is changeable
  • We use the classroom for a design course. While the setup works for production at individual computers and works well to follow along with instructor demonstrations, the space is not ideal for critique. The large magnetic board would work better if there were adequate magnets available for checkout. Currently the magnets are not nearly strong enough to hold up student work (11"x17" 80 lb Bristol board).
  • The PC equipment was always very very slow. Never figured out the way to make the sound work for youtube videos or using the projector. (21 Olson, 27 Olson)
  • I love the student workers. They are awesome
  • need more sanitizer

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

Better 2
Same 13
Worse 3
N/A 5

"Better" Reasons given:

  • Friendly staff, clean comp labs, fast, reliable computers
  • I was teaching a writing class so the experience was much much better for me as a teacher and for my students.

"Same" Reasons given: