Faculty Survey - Fall 2012

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. In Question #2, the majority of faculty feel that each area "Needs little or no improvement". The comments from faculty were overwhelmingly positive.

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

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

  • CLM changed how we order dry-erase markers. In the past we ordered 4 marker sets - this led to the classrooms having no black markers but many of the other colors. We now order the marker colors separately so we can ensure the more popular colors are always available.
  • CLM changed settings to prevent Firefox from trying to remember passwords on the PCs.
  • CLM will continue to work to prevent non-students from interrupting classes. The signs by the doors are obviously being ignored too often. Therefore, we will try to develop something additional that will help.
  • During Fall 2012 the HVAC system failed in Olson which caused extreme temperatures for several days. CLM will work with Facilities to improve temperature control in the computer classrooms.
  • For future renovations CLM will investigate alternative room layouts. Currently several rooms have design trade-offs which make some aspect of teaching in the room problematic. We are always looking for feedback from faculty to improve the design of our rooms.

Survey Text

On 12/4/2012 Computer Lab Management sent an email to faculty who had taught in the computer rooms during Fall 2012 asking them to fill out this survey.

Survey Results

There were 34 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 4 19 11
Support from computer lab managers 0 0 31 3
Support from the Computer Room Consultant (CRC) 0 1 29 4
Preparedness of the classroom (room cleared out, whiteboard supplies, etc.) 2 0 32 0
Equipment reliability 0 4 29 0
Computer speed and usability 0 5 28 0
Classroom interruptions 2 3 25 4
Larger classrooms (to accommodate more students) 1 0 27 6
Larger classrooms (to allow more workspace at each station) 0 1 27 5
Smaller classrooms 4 3 20 7
Temperature control (room was too hot or too cold) 1 10 23 0
Cleanliness of the classroom 0 0 33 0
Classroom environment (for example: quieter, better layout) - Please specify below 2 10 21 1
Other - Please specify below 1 3 4 9

Improved classroom environment and Other reasons:

  • 1. Modify the settings in firefox so the default is that it will NOT remember passwords ever. 2. Put an additional sign or something that physically stops students and makes them realize that there is a class going on inside. I had several blatant interruptions this quarter. Students are appear to be better able to ignore and disrespect instructors. 3. The computers on the front and side have a very poor angle to view the screen and the board. Perhaps move them closer to the center? 4. This quarter I did not have a tablet computer so I had to use the white board and projector alternatively. This made the lecture cumbersome and slowed things down. Perhaps there is some inexpensive technology that can be added so the computer screen can be used as writing board? (2020 SciLab)
  • 247 Olson is the ideal classroom. In the larger classrooms, students are separated by large computers and the configuration of the large room does not encourage collaborative work. In addition, because of the monitors it is often difficult to hear students who are sitting in rows that are far from the teacher's monitor. I appreciate your work and that of your staff.
  • 247 Olson is the ideal classroom--it is small and the laptop computers allow students to interact and see each other, thus making collaborative work easier. The largeness of the room and the buzz of the monitors often make it difficult for students across the room to hear each other, and for me to hear them.
  • I am a big fan of the computer labs, so the only reason to "improve" them would be if your team has unlimited time/resources. Room 1 was very hot on some days; one day (approximately last Wednesday before finals) the room was so hot that we couldn't concentrate. Layout is always a challenge; I love a modular classroom, but we were able to work with existing set-up. Ergonomics are arguably more of a challenge in the basement than on other floors. I would love for ergonomics to be a priority, especially at the teacher's station since I need to pay attention to my posture. Although I am probably unusual in my values, I noticed that our guest speaker (librarian) had difficulty lecturing while standing up and also using the computer. (She had to stoop and commented on this to me after class.) Bottom line: Thanks for an invaluable resource; my students also commented on how much they appreciated working/learning in computer lab environment. One said he has been out of school for 10 years and so he felt he is now more competitive in the world at large....
  • It would be nice to have an online reservation system (or is it I am unaware of one). Internet speed is poor. It's a bit challenging to maneuver down the isles without interrupting students.
  • See comments for 1 Olson. Note that temperature in 241 Olson is consistently too hot, unlike temperature in 1 Olson, which is only hot when the heater is blasting (presumably due to equipment malfunction?) Much obliged.
  • See comments for Olson 1, although temperature in 27 Olson seemed less variable, possibly because we met at 9 am.
  • Students still walk in on class even though the sign out front has a big red closed symbol on it. Some even interrupted us to ask if they could still use the computers (!). I really don't like that - the sign seems so obvious to me that the room is closed, so not sure what else you can do to get the message to these rude students....
  • Thank you for creating an environment so supportive to learning!
  • This room really needs a dimmer. Having the lights all the way off makes the students sleepy. The little light from the back row is not enough, and leaving one light on is too bright. My students do a lot of presentations, so the lighting is a really big problem. Also, this classroom almost never had a black marker in it before my 9 a.m. class. I had to ask for one at least five times. It's the easiest color to see in the back of the room and the most important to have. The lab attendant in the morning never checked to see if a marker was there. (21 Olson)
  • Very good experience! The CRC was awesome!

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

Better 1
Same 20
Worse 3
N/A 10

"Better" Reasons given:

  • There are more computers available.

"Same" Reasons given:

  • Really good. Love working with Tim - he makes it so easy and is extremely quick to respond and very very helpful. Thanks so much!
  • It's been excellent for some time now.
  • Has always been great.
  • 247 Olson is the ideal classroom. In the larger classrooms, students are separated by large computers and the configuration of the large room does not encourage collaborative work. In addition, because of the monitors it is often difficult to hear students who are sitting in rows that are far from the teacher's monitor. I appreciate your work and that of your staff.
  • Always excellent
  • I've been satisfied with our computer classrooms for quite a few years.
  • Fine facility, well maintained. I have no complaints.

"Worse" Reasons given:

  • Lots of interruptions and the precious class often didn't clear out in time.
  • The layout of the 2103 SCC makes discussion almost impossible. Students mostly see each others' backs and their own and others' monitors.
  • See above. I don't have time to get markers when I'm prepping for class to start on time.

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

  • 1 Olson is too wide for easy discussion and eye contact. Computer monitors are too high for students to see each other while speaking.
  • 21 Olson is too wide for easy discussion and eye contact. Computer monitors are too high for students to see each other while speaking.
  • Group work. Making sure everybody can focus. (We dim the lights so students can see the screen.)
  • Lab Management System works well for me.
  • Monitors block student faces during presentation and discussion
  • None (3 Responses)
  • None so far.
  • Really hard to do group work. Having a more nodal type arrangement would be better in facilitating that.
  • See #3 (Response to #3 was "The layout of the 2103 SCC makes discussion almost impossible. Students mostly see each others' backs and their own and others' monitors.")
  • See above--often can't hear students and students can't hear each other. (Above comment was "247 Olson is the ideal classroom. In the larger classrooms, students are separated by large computers and the configuration of the large room does not encourage collaborative work. In addition, because of the monitors it is often difficult to hear students who are sitting in rows that are far from the teacher's monitor. I appreciate your work and that of your staff.")
  • Students having to be reminded not to stare at their screens while we're engaged in discussion. Students doing e-mail or facebook or otherwise multitasking, and having to be asked repeatedly not to.
  • students with questions about the material...
  • The only issue is the size of the screens in most of the rooms. I still love teaching in the classrooms with notebooks since you can close them up and have a discussion when it's appropriate. I also hate that last row in the big basement rooms. Five students with their backs to you..... Not sure how you'd get around this (other than by eliminating that row.....)
  • The set-up in SCC is long rows, which was a little tricky for group work.
  • The space is problematic. A smaller room where everyone can make eye contact like in 247 would work better. It's hard for the students to talk to each other when they can't see or hear them. I also have to stand because students can't see me if I sit. I had an injury this quarter, so that was really painful for me.
  • The usual difficulty keeping students focused when the internet is available.
  • There are always tradeoffs. For example, the larger screens in 241 make the sight lines more difficult for discussions. We get around this by doing a lot of moving around the class room to work in groups. I certainly wouldn't recommend smaller screens.
  • This isn't unique to computer classrooms, but it's difficult to compete with Facebook or Perez Hilton or whatever. I think the whiteboard walls help out with this a bit - I try to move around and write things on the board, so the students will at least have to minimize their Facebook windows when I walk by.

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

  • 1-2 times a single computer had a gremlin in it (software didn't work). When student moved to another - it worked
  • I'm not great at navigating the shared class folder, but the CRC has helped out on occasion.
  • NA
  • Need to clone myself to get around to students with questions more quickly.
  • None (6 responses)
  • None -- everything worked great.
  • None so far.
  • On one occasion the monitor froze; on another it wouldn't take may password
  • Slow internet speed.
  • Some student computers did not have the programs they needed (SPSS).
  • Sometimes the DVD player doesn't work and once this quarter we had big issues with Smart Site and I couldn't log on.
  • SPSS not on all computers. Some computers too slow.
  • The monitor hasn't worked. On one occasion my password wasn't accepted
  • Very few lately.....
  • Very little. The equipment is fairly self-explanatory. I don't make use of all the pedagogical possibilities, but given my fairly straightforward use of computers, it all works quite well.

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

  • Excellent (4 responses)
  • Fine (3 responses>
  • Good (3 responses)
  • Great (6 responses)
  • Great. I really enjoyed it!
  • I love teaching in those rooms!!
  • I'd prefer not to teach in this classroom again. The room is so deep that the front of the room seems very far away for those sitting in the back row, making it hard for them to attend to what's on the white board. The white boards along the side are great, but not always easy to use if the instructor also needs to project from the computer. (2103 SCC)
  • It was a great environment for teaching, and I appreciated the support of the staff.
  • It was a great experience, and I like to be able to teach another class in this room.
  • It was a very pleasant easy experience.
  • Ok.
  • Very positive.

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

  • Keep Tim L. happy and employed at this job - he's great!
  • Keep up the good work (2 responses)
  • My final exam was in danger of being seriously disrupted by the presence of the Cal Aggie Band-Uh, who were entertaining for an end-of-the-quarter event and playing FULL VOLUME in the lobby. After some discussion, they left when I asked them to, and I later got an apology (and a plate of cookies) from a supervisor. But the campus needs to decide when/whether SCC is a student activity center and when it's classroom/study space. (I suspect my problem won't happen again, but...)
  • No, just thank you to IET!
  • No. (2 responses)
  • No. Thanks for all the prompt and competent help!
  • none
  • Nope! Staff was excellent and it was a great experience.
  • Nuh uh. Many thanks to Tim, other staff, and all the student assistants!
  • That room has those big, wonderful windows, but I had to keep them closed all the time because the sun created a bad glare on the students' screens. I'm not sure if there's any solution to that, but just a comment. (2101 SCC)
  • The lab consultants are very personable and helpful!

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