Faculty Survey - Spring 2016

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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 are ongoing issues of classrooms being too hot or too cold. We continue to work with UCD Facilities to address the issues and try to keep the temperature more consistent.
  • It appears that classrooms interruptions might be getting more serious. We have struggled with this issue in the past since it's difficult for our CRCs to monitor access to multiple classrooms at once. Since the signs on the classroom doors obviously don't work in all cases we will try to develop new ways to prevent interruptions.

Survey Text

On 5/31/2016 Computer Lab Management sent an email to faculty who had taught in the computer rooms during Spring 2016 asking them to fill out this survey.

Survey Results

There were 31 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 18 13
Support from computer lab managers 0 0 27 4
Support from the Computer Room Consultant (CRC) 0 0 27 3
Preparedness of the classroom (room cleared out, whiteboard supplies, etc.) 0 3 27 1
Equipment reliability 0 4 26 1
Computer speed and usability 1 2 27 1
Classroom interruptions 2 2 25 2
Larger classrooms (to accommodate more students) 1 5 16 9
Larger classrooms (to allow more workspace at each station) 1 2 22 6
Smaller classrooms 0 2 17 12
Temperature control (room was too hot or too cold) 1 5 23 2
Cleanliness of the classroom 0 0 29 1
Classroom environment (for example: quieter, better layout) - Please specify below 0 7 21 3
Other - Please specify below 0 2 6 7

Classroom environment and Other reasons:

  • Everything was great, really appreciated the help and support and things overall were smooth. Being in SCC, I would have appreciated easier access to small break out rooms to meet in small groups with students -- but the staff was very accommodating.
  • Ideally, a writing class would be in a space where students can participate in plenary discussions (i.e. not sitting with their backs to each other, but all facing inward in a circle) AND have computers to use.
  • No major complaints. I think you all have this down! Very clean compared to NEW computer labs I have taught in at CSUS and CRC--great job.
  • It would be great if there was a way for students to save files from session to session.
  • The erasers for the dry erase board are very dirty. It is nearly impossible to clean the board without getting ink all over one's hands. More regular cleaning of the erasers or a different style of eraser would be appreciated. (73 Hutchison)
  • 247 Olson is by far my favorite computer classroom to teach in. The lower screens and the layout of the room make easy for everyone to see and hear each other without either the monitors or ambient electronic noise getting in the way of discussions.
  • It's very cold in HUTCH75.
  • 2102 Was awfully cold at times...better since mid-May I taught in 2103 immediately after and it was several degrees warmer and more comfortable. Maybe this has been addressed and resolved
  • It will be nice to be able to dim the light while showing PPT presentations. (75 Hutchison)

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

Better 8
Same 17
Worse 2
N/A 3

"Better" Reasons given:

  • Student workers recognize me now and are more amenable and talkative than previous quarters.
  • OS was updated to 64 bit so my programs can access full 8GB of RAM.
  • Better:
    1. Computers and projectors worked every day; in the past, typically, the network has gone down or a projector has gone down at least once.
    2. I found it easier to display students' work using the TUTOR tool this quarter. The full screen view worked pretty well.

"Same" Reasons given:

  • I've always been pleased with my experience in Hutchinson 93.
  • Great as always.
  • The positive features (quality of equipment, cleanliness of the space, excellence of the lab assistants) are still excellent and the limitations caused by the layout have not changed.
  • I always have a excellent experience teaching in SCC 2103.
  • Everything worked well.
  • Excellent labs...I've always had good experience and received timely support.

"Worse" Reasons given:

  • My classroom this term was *frequently* interrupted by students who were not enrolled and thought it was okay, b/c a TA for another class said so, for them to come in and do work on computers and even PRINT (which is noisy) while I was in the middle of teaching and my students were in the middle of presenting. I would always politely but firmly explain this was not okay, but I also had to get back up from my director, Carl Whithaus, and initiate communication with folks in the building -- and it still didn't work. Last two weeks of class, more interruptions. So, great classroom, but interruptions need to cease in the future. (2020 SciLab)
  • It is distracting to have the computer room consultants come in and out of the classroom as they change shifts. Also, when I am doing group work they feel that is is okay for them to chat between themselves, which is distracting to me as I'm trying to keep track of what each group is doing. Some of them go to the supply closet during class time, which is also distracting. (241 Olson)

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

  • nothing new
  • Classroom Environment--I do a lot of group work, which is difficult in a lab with rows. I'd love a computer classroom that was circular tables instead of rows so that the students could see each other and their screens at the same time.
  • I make use of the technology to have discussions and to work in groups, take quizzes, proofread and revise essays, to share essays, videos of speeches. I have found no problem, except lately with Smartsite.
  • It is extremely difficult to have discussions due to the the layout of the room. Some students also sit where it is hard to see the whiteboard. (1 Olson)
  • None. (4 responses)
  • Only gripe: more Windows support. I believe learning both OS X and Windows are important for all students.
  • The rows and large monitors make it difficult to teach in anything but a transmission model of education. (73 Hutchison)
  • Projectors could be better calibrator for color
  • I faced no new pedagogical issues this quarter.

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

  • still some issues with students being able to open files, but nothing significant
  • You already know the issues with the projector in 27 Olson, so I know you are working on it.
    The only reason why I did not put needs no improvement in the preparedness of the classroom is that I came on teaching day at 9 and the instructor's computer was upgrading. I talked to the CRC who called the supervisor who in turn said that if we interrupted, the upgrades would be delayed (I am not sure I remember it all correctly). I was not able to use my station until 30-40 minutes later. That day I was able to work around that so it was not a problem; it has also never happened to me ever and I have been teaching in the classrooms for a long time, so again, not a big deal. I just thought I would bring it to your attention.
  • One of the computers was having problems for the first two weeks--the CRC came in and messed with the cord and it kind of worked but then still had problems. I'm not sure if it just stopped being a problem or if they fixed something more substantially, but the computer was fine after week 3.
  • None. If I had a problem, I was always able to get help from someone in Room 78.
  • NA
  • The projector turned to "green screen" for one session and was not usuable. It was fixed the next class meeting.
  • CLM staff is always extremely nimble in accommodating my software related requests.
  • SketchUp Pro did not work in SC 2103 and 2102. Not part of what I teach, but I was trying to show how it could interface with Photoshop. Having access to installing plug-ins for SU and Adobe products would be helpful.
  • Marker pens some times were low in ink. It would be better if there are backup ones stored somewhere in the classroom
  • I teach in linux. We use a virtual machine to implement the Linux environment. This presents some challenges. In my dream world the computer lab computers would be able to boot into linux and would serve up student home directories from a central server so that there was file persistence from session to session.
  • None (3 responses)
  • Projector down for a couple classes in 2103....temporary fix was OK
  • Presentation boards, classroom space (not computer space)
  • Here are questions I had while teaching:
    1) Is there a share folder somewhere on a shared drive; I didn't see it, but I only thought it would be helpful twice, so it was not a significant problem.
    2) Can we dim the lights in the front--so screen is easier to see? Lab tech said no. (73 Hutchison)
  • Occasional mysterious glitches with the class folders

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

  • always amazing to have such a great work space
  • Excellent (6 responses)
  • Good! I like how big that classroom is and the computers themselves are in good shape. I'd just like a room that's more conducive to group work on the computers.
  • Very satisfying because the room is so versatile, so clean, and so spacious as compared to my regular classroom.
  • In terms of technology, excellent.
  • Good. We need more help keeping un-enrolled students out when classes are going on in there.
  • Great! (2 responses)
  • Very good. The computer and projector never died when I was teaching.
  • Very good (2 responses)
  • fine
  • First-rate. Thank you very much. We can do so much more in a computer classroom than we can do in a non-computer classroom; everything works great, lab techs are great. Wonderful resource/experience. And, I love the instructor workstation in 2103 SCC. It's high!

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

  • have a good summer --- you guys deserve some fun
  • I really appreciate the support and help we receive. Tim and everyone, thank you very much for all you do every single day, every single quarter to help us, in turn, teach better.
    Many, many thanks.
  • The labs are phenomenally well run, and the lab assistants are unfailingly helpful; they know what they are doing, and they are prompt in responding to requests for help. I never cease to be impressed at how good our equipment is, how well it works, and how the support is 100% there when needed.
  • No. Thanks for all you do!
  • Just keep up the good work!
  • See above.
  • Tim Leamy is always kind, considerate, and thoughtful. He always makes sure that we schedule our classes in time, and get the computer room ready for the first day of class. He also offers to provide orientation to teaching assistants. I speak highly of Tim's professionalism.
  • I followed instructors who wrote all over the wipe boards and there was not sufficient time between classes to clean-up. Maybe a couple more erasers available to give 'em a hint to clean-up the mess.
  • I'm not sure which classrooms have fluorescent lights, but in case 73 Hutchison or 1 Olson does--fwiw, an ophthalmologist I spoke with said (something like).... people respond differently to flicker rates--and that some people get migraines from fluorescent lights. Although I didn't write down the specifics of his explanation, I did deduce that, for people who are sensitive to fluorescent lights, a classroom with no windows plus fluorescent lights could be problematic.
  • You folks do a fabulous job.
  • I didn't teach in a computer classroom; we just had access to them. My 2 comments: 1) Your services and help were fantastic--kudos and thanks. 2) It would be nice if more computer classrooms were open 24/7

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