Faculty Survey - Spring 2010

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. The top areas listed for improvement in Question 2 were "Preparedness of the classroom", "Classroom interruptions", "Smaller classrooms", "Temperature control", and "Classroom environment". But overall most faculty were satisfied with those areas as well.

Based on the comments there are several areas that CLM will investigate further:

  • CLM will install a microphone in 1102 Hart. The AC in that room causes vent noise which makes it difficult for students in the back of the room to hear. Facilities has worked on and off on the problem for several years but has not been able to resolve the issue. Therefore, CLM pilot tested a portable microphone system during Spring Quarter and based on that success will install a permanent microphone during the summer.
  • CLM will continue to work on classroom temperature issues. But unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a single HVAC setting which will meet each faculty member's desired temperature for a room.
  • CLM will continue to work on preventing non-enrolled students from interrupting classes. Unfortunately this issue has been difficult to resolve since some students ignore the class in session sign.
  • CLM will continue to investigate alternative room layouts to meet the concerns voiced in the survey. But historically, it has been difficult to design a room to meet the variety of pedagogical and teaching styles given room sizes, class enrollment, and faculty preference. To help improve collaboration, CLM will research alternatives to the large iMac computers in an effort to improve sight lines and facilitate student interaction.

Survey Text

On 5/26/2010 Computer Lab Management sent an email to faculty who had taught in the computer rooms during Spring 2010 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 2 10 5
Support from computer lab managers 0 0 14 3
Support from the Computer Room Consultant (CRC) 0 0 15 2
Preparedness of the classroom (room cleared out, whiteboard supplies, etc.) 0 7 10 0
Equipment reliability 0 2 15 0
Computer speed and usability 0 2 15 0
Classroom interruptions 1 3 13 0
Larger classrooms (to accommodate more students) 1 0 11 4
Larger classrooms (to allow more workspace at each station) 1 0 12 3
Smaller classrooms 1 4 10 1
Temperature control (room was too hot or too cold) 4 2 10 1
Classroom environment (for example: quieter, better layout) - Please specify below 2 4 11 0
Other - Please specify below 0 2 3 4

Improved classroom environment and Other reasons:

  • More mobility, or a curve to the layout, to facilitate groupwork. Maybe the sign saying there is a class should be on the door itself, because I always get interrupted by people who say "oh, there is a class in here.
  • Other: Information about how to control student use of computers for something other than class purpose. I heard from another instructor that it is possible to ""take over"" a computer screen of a person who is surfing during class time and make her/him look at what is on the main computer screen, but I don't know how to do that. Would it be possible to make the instructions for this more prominent?
  • The computer classroom experience was, as usual, excellent. I appreciate having a smaller room, as it allows for a smaller class and more interactions between students in different parts of the room. Compared to 241, for example, 247 creates a *much* more interactive environment, because students are grouped in two bays instead of in three. Having laptops helped too, as students were able to see each other. The CRCs continue to impress me with their helpfulness and professionalism. Thanks for everything you do!
  • Overhead vent/fan noise is extremely disturbing to the classroom environment. It means that students can't hear each other and I can't hear them. It's especially important when I have hearing-impaired learners in the class -- often times the sign language interpreters have difficulty hearing the other students over the fan noise. I have dealt with this problem by having the students use a microphone (many thanks to Tim Leamy for setting this up). This is functionally helpful even if the students find it somewhat awkward. The layout of the classroom -- with stationary desks -- doesn't lend itself to collaborative working groups. However, the Remote Desktop application is a great collaborative software tool that I continue to make use of and very much appreciate. The A/V projection system works great as well. I would benefit from a larger desk up front so that I could more easily accommodate student reviews (individually or in pairs). It's very tight for my student assistant as well -- really no place to sit. Room is very tight for the two sign language interpreters who join our class and sit up front. We need additional white board space, especially since about 1/3 of the white board in the front of the room is taken up with official announcements from the CLM. Perhaps a large white board could be hung at the back of the room as well. We would benefit greatly from odorless white board markers. At the moment we must open the doors whenever we use the markers, and this results in significant noise from the outer lab and corridor. We need iWork software to accommodate our frequent use of Keynote as a presentation tool. We need a laser printer that prints 11 x 17 in color. Right now we have to run over to Shields library during class to make printouts. Staff and student helpers are great. Very responsive.
  • Students in the back of the room or along the side sometimes have trouble seeing and hearing their classmates during discussions. (It's hard for them to see over their own and their classmates' monitors, and there's enough of constant hum/din that quieter students cannot be heard. Sight lines from the far right side of the room (facing the class from the instructor's computer) are horrible.
  • The only recommendation I would want to give is that we need a better way of alerting students that there is a class in session and that they are not allowed in the class to check email, print notes, or 'use it quickly.' There were multiple incidents during the quarter when I was teaching a class and had to tell the student that with them trying to argue their side that they just need to print something. But other than that it was great!
  • I find the rows of fixed computers very impersonal. I would like to see laptops and rooms no larger than 247 Olson. This room makes it easier for students to communicate with each other. Your assistants were wonderful.

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

Better 5
Same 8
Worse 1
N/A 3

"Better" Reasons given:

  • I used the lock function more when not using computers.
  • Overall it's been great. I was able to get the times I want more than previous quarters.
  • Better, because of the smaller room (see above).
  • The microphone has made a tangible, positive difference.

"Same" Reasons given:

  • I have always had a very good experience working in the computer classrooms.
  • My experience was quite positive. I was appreciative that Tim could find me another lab to teach in.
  • Great at all times.

"Worse" Reasons given:

  • "Worse" doesn't mean "bad"--it's just that this quarter the white board was often covered with writing when I arrived, and while I generally don't mind taking care of it myself, the eraser was not very effective (i.e., it didn't erase completely). The other challenge was the temperature--all quarter the room was extremely warm. (Keeping the door open helped only marginally, and the class was then subject to corridor noise.) Is it possible to maintain a cool temperature in all the computer classrooms? (I taught in 21 Olson in fall quarter and had the same experience.) That would be ideal. Thanks so much!

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

  • students' inattention/distraction by computers
  • Groupwork is difficult, and usually some group members just can't see the computer the group is using.
  • Students getting distracted!
  • Interactions among students can suffer, especially in larger rooms like 241.
  • The layout does not support easy collaboration and flexible working groups.
  • Students in the back of the room or along the side sometimes have trouble seeing and hearing their classmates during discussions. (It's hard for them to see over their own and their classmates' monitors, and there's enough of constant hum/din that quieter students cannot be heard.
  • The monitors of the iMacs are getting way to big. People cannot see each other and the computers are hard to move around so they can.

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

  • None (4 responses)
  • When I used the classroom, the projector threw errors about not having had its air filter replaced in too long a period.
  • Lack of software, lack of white board space, fan/vent noise (see above).
  • Smartsite or UCD Mail going down.
  • Computers freezing

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

  • fine (2 responses)
  • Great!
  • Very good.
  • Excellent
  • Overall I feel that we benefit a great deal from the technology available to us in Hart 1102. We are able to research, work, and report back in real time.
  • I think it was great. The staff is very nice and helpful and the technology very reliable.
  • Very positive.
  • Great, it is a very nice and spacious room.
  • Good (2 responses)
  • Good.
  • Super

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

  • Keep them around and make more if you can.
  • Yes. I can't say enough about how great Tim Leamy is. He is always super helpful, friendly, and professional. My final comment and suggestion is that you clone him. :-)
  • You do a great job. Because you focus on the technology issues, I can ignore them and focus on teaching.
  • Fine
  • Just a better way of alerting students that there is a class in session.
  • No--but please pass along my thanks to all the CRCs. They are very responsive and do a great job. And thanks for your continued support. The computer classrooms are incredibly helpful to the teaching of writing!
  • Keep up the great work!

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