Homework 12: Midterm Survey

Assigned: Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Due: Friday, March 9, 2007

Summary: In this assignment, you will report on various aspects of the course.

Purposes: To allow me to gather feedback on how the course is going. To give you a chance to influence the course.

Expected Time: Less than an hour.

Collaboration: Although you may discuss this survey with anyone you wish, each student should submit his or her own answers to the survey.

Submitting: Email me your work, using a subject of CSC151 Homework 12.

Confidentiality: I ask you to associate your name with the answers to these questions. While I realize that this makes the survey a bit less valid (since you might not be completely honest), I think we've built up enough trust that you will feel free to express concerns openly, without concern for reprisal. (And yes, you can write searing comments without having those comments affect how I treat you. The comments will, however, encourage me to fix the things that bother you.)

When I discuss this survey with the class, I will not associate names with responses.

Background

We're now approaching the halfway point of the semester. At this point, I often find it useful to hear from my students about how they feel the course is going. Such feedback can give me the opportunity to change some aspects of the course (e.g., to add or remove topics; to emphasize one teaching style rather than another).

Survey

a. What is your name?

b. What is your major (or intended major)?

c. Why did you register for CSC151?

d. Has this course been meeting your expectations? If not, what else would you like to see in the course? (Note that I will not necessarily add everything students suggest.)

e. What has been the most difficult part of the course so far?

f. What has been the most frustrating part of the course so far?

g. What has been your favorite part of the course so far?

h. How long does it take you to do a typical reading?

i. How long does it take you to do the typical homework assignment?

j. As you've noticed, I use a variety of teaching styles in the course. At times, I lecture. Sometimes, we do a form of recitation (often, it's not exactly recitation, since you are developing new answers rather than repeating things you've learned before). Often, you work together on labs. In many days, we combine strategies. Are there styles you'd like to see more of? Less of?

k. What else would you like me to know about how the course is going?