Faculty Survey - Fall 2022

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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 question #2) show that overall faculty are quite happy with the computer classrooms.

However, there were some concerns raised in the comments:

  • We opened four new computer classrooms in the TLC. However, construction wasn't quite complete. We had power, layout, AV and heat issues during Fall quarter. Those issues should now be resolved.
  • We upgraded projectors in Olson and Shields during Fall quarter and Winter Break. We hope this addresses the projection issues mentioned.

A larger issue is how to better match faculty with classrooms. There were several comments about layouts, the classroom designed for 25 student not working for 18, different room types requiring different prep, etc. Unfortunately, in most cases course reservations are made so far in advance the faculty are not assigned until much later. CLM needs work with the departmental schedulers to investigate processes that ensure faculty are placed in the classrooms they prefer.

Survey Text

On 11/28/2022 Computer Lab Management sent an email to faculty who had taught in the computer rooms during Fall 2022 asking them to fill out this survey.

Survey Results

There were 24 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 11 11
Support from computer lab managers 0 0 19 4
Support from the Computer Room Consultant (CRC) 0 1 16 6
Preparedness of the classroom (room cleared out, whiteboard supplies, etc.) 0 3 21 0
Computer usability and reliability 1 4 19 0
Preventing classroom interruptions 0 3 20 1
Classroom size (too small or too large) 0 4 19 1
Temperature control (room was too hot or too cold) 2 5 15 2
Layout of the classroom 1 7 15 0
Classroom environment (cleanliness, sound, etc. ) 0 1 21 1
Other - Please specify below 2 1 2 13

Classroom environment and Other reasons:

  • The classroom was consistently cold this quarter, which was especially uncomfortable for the students, who tended to be dressed in lighter clothing than me. (27 Olson)
  • the SCC computer labs and classrooms are great! clean and reliable
  • 1. There are often times - at the beginning and end of each class, when giving instructions, when providing feedback for everyone, when trying to explain an example, etc. - when the layout of the room is awkward and unhelpful. 10 students sit with their backs to the front of the room (it takes a while to pry them from their screens and get them to turn around) - I realize this can't be changed. But what would be useful is to have a large screen at the front of the room (as in traditional classrooms) so everyone can look at one screen that I can point to.
    I know that the room is designed to facilitate more student-centered activities, which it does, but we still need to do things as a whole class such as provide instructions and feedback, have discussions, etc. that the layout makes difficult.
    2. The room works great for a class size of 25. For a class of 18 students, the 5 computers/screen didn't allow for 6 groups of 3 or 3 groups of 6 as is usual. One group doesn't have a separate place or a large screen in groups of 3, and for groups of 6, some students always have to bring their own laptops. I'd prefer other computer classrooms for 18-student sections. (2211 & 2213 TLC)
  • I definitely need more white board space so that I can show examples on the projection screen while writing notes from lecture on white board. In Olson rooms, this is particularly true; if screen is down I have a sliver of white board on either side to work with, often hard for students on opposite side of class to see. (Also, please discourage the staff from taping or writing redundant notes about drinks and logging out on the white board sides sometimes. Those messages are already posted several other places in the room, and I need all the space I can get.)
  • The computer system is not updated and makes it difficult to present the lecture from a personal laptop instead of the mac in the classroom. Also, the system needs to be restarted at the beginning of each class or it won't work
  • I taught at 9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Olson. On two occasions, the room was still locked at 9am. On one of these occasions, I could not find a CRC to open the room. When I did find him, well after 9am, with all my students waiting in the hallway, he mentioned a regular personal conflict with opening time, and his co-worker had been absent that day. In addition, on one day the computers were all turned off when we arrived. Other than that, the CRCs have always been great.
  • There were a few times times when the screens did not display correctly, but the tech were prompt in helping me, and when they couldn't, the managers came to help.
  • The room has a lot of ambient noise and isn't set up great for group work (I recognize that is challenging in computer classrooms though). (27 Olson)
  • I found that most students are now using their laptops, so I've started to wonder if we even need so many desktops...
  • The classroom is very hot, the temperature needs to be adjusted. (73 Hutchison)
  • It would be nice if the schedule updated more often/sooner after receiving confirmation of booking. The current reservation system (by email) is fine, but it might possibly be more efficient if it could be done through a website.
  • Sometimes markers run dry and it's not clear where to get extras
  • The scanners take up a lot of room. Could we fit one more computer in each row if we took them out? Also, can you set the instructor computer so it doesn't go to sleep? (2102 SCC)
  • I only wish that each computer classroom has the layout of Olson 241 and Shields 90B where students are facing each other, invites a more collaborative space
  • Having a CRC person in the room is a bit weird, mainly because when students in the hallway see the CRC person behind her/his desk, they tend to assume they can walk in and start using the computers. On two or three occasions, I had to tell students that I was teaching & that they needed to leave until my class was finished. Also, as I was trying to help my students stay healthy (and trying to stay healthy myself), I was somewhat annoyed one day when the CRC person - not wearing a mask - coughed loudly throughout my two-hour class period. (2060 SciLab)
  • In the TLC room, the whiteboard was not easily accessible because there was a printer blocking it. Also, the temperature in the room tended to be warm. (2213 TLC)

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

Better 2
Same 16
Worse 4
N/A 2

"Better" Reasons given:

  • The layout allowed for much better interaction (2211 & 2213 TLC)
  • The computer classrooms were clean and the attendants were very helpful and timely.

"Same" Reasons given:

  • same good, consistent experience at SCC
  • temperature has always been a problem in these classrooms
  • This has been just the same as when teaching in this classroom previously.
  • I teach the same so not much has changed for me.
  • Overall worked well, as in previous quarters.
  • I had no issues in the room; the student assistant would check in before and after and was polite and helpful.
  • The classroom was clean and ready to go. I really loved all the white boards in the classroom, and would love it if more computer labs could have these.

"Worse" Reasons given:

  • See above. I also did not know about this computer room layout until the first day of classes after having already planned for the quarter, so more work was needed to adjust. It would also be difficult to teach in these new rooms if we have a section of the same course in a more traditional room (with a screen at the front and more flexible groupings of students), which means two different preps for the same class. (2211 & 2213 TLC)
  • I would have preferred a normal classroom and ask people to bring their own laptop. The layout makes difficult to present a class. (241 Olson)
  • I prefer to teach in a computer classroom that doesn't have a CRC person in it all the time.

"N/A" Reasons given:

  • None

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

  • none
  • See above.
  • please read above
  • TLC students do not face forward which affects student engagement
  • Group work can be a bit awkward because students are fairly spread out in the rows. I always have to ask them to cluster together. It's hard when I want them to talk with others behind or in front of them because the monitors block their line of sight. (2216 TLC)
  • Shifting groups around and moving students to new locations.
  • I am still confused about Zoom on the main computer for the instructor
  • Groupwork can be a challenge, but this is still one of the roomier computer labs. (90A Shields)
  • None.
  • The only issue is that when something goes wrong, students tend to make different mistakes so it could be hard to troubleshoot all their issues.

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

  • Now that SCC has higher resolution projectors that helps a lot with instruction of Adobe products.
  • See above.
  • The projector/computer connection cuts out more than they did when I started teaching. I've noticed that features like "Blank Screen" button on the touchscreen don't work at times. I can tell these things are getting older and will need updates soon.
  • Please read above
  • Just screens not displaying properly a couple of times.
  • None so far.
  • Zooming students in is challenging.
  • Using Zoom
  • None.
  • Some students don't know their login credentials
  • Instructor computer going to sleep. Also eduroam wifi seems to be less reliable. (2102 SCC)
  • For a while one classroom had a blank screen option while the other didn’t. But I believe it’s been fixed
  • There was a cord that got unplugged, but was quickly fixed. Also, there were not enough whiteboard erasers.

Question 6. Do you have any other comments or suggestions regarding the computer classrooms.

  • Cruess computer labs still need a lot of work (not cleaned enough) and the staff are very inexperienced about printing and basic programs used by the DES majors.
  • The room was big, bright, clean, well-prepped; technology always worked. I mainly didn't like it because of my class size.
  • I am always impressed with the speed and efficiency of the lab managers/consultants if I click the contact icon for help with my computer. They get right to it and help me continue my class.
  • Other than these minor issues, I love teaching in this room!
  • Carry on!
  • no
  • The SCC labs are really nice to teach in. Thanks for keeping them so nice and clean.
  • I really like the new building and the rooms
  • My issues were very minor, and I appreciate teaching in these classrooms. Also, staff, particularly, Justin (if memory serves) in Storer Hall is very helpful.

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