On Sunday, 6 October 2002, a mid-semester evaluation form was made available to the students in COM 333b. See:

http://online.uis.edu/fall2002/com333b/mid_semester_eval_form_Fall02.htm

The results of this evaluation (as of 17 October 2002) follow:
 
 

1. What do you like most about this class?

--Learning so many great new ways to find information via the internet and upcoming news about things coming available to students. Also, Burks is great to respond almost instantly to any question about an assignment.

--How fast the teacher responds to our comments. It seems like he is always giving good comments and always available. With online classes, you normally feel as if the teacher is not there- but I feel almost like this is a normal class.

--Learning how to use the internet effectively.

--Everything.

--All the different sites we have learned about. I never knew there were that many sites that could help us look up different topics.

--I think what I like most about this class is the fact that I can log on and get up to date whenever I want to. When you work full time, have a family and have other classes, it's nice to be able to control when you want to work on your online classes.

--I like learning how to do research on the internet. I have learned so much from the teacher.

--I enjoy the ability to go at my own pace and check up on what other students have to say.

--The fact that it is online.

--The class has taught me things that everyone using the internet should know. It's linked me to several new resources to aid in writing papers and doing research. The instructor(s) have been very helpful, thorough and informative in responses to lecture discussion. The hyperlinks are great time savers.

--The wide range of information on the WEB.

--I have learned a lot about many search engines, it is a great class

and I like everything about it.

--That you can work on things for this class and respond back to it at anytime. I also like that we are covering areas of the internet that I never knew existed.
 
 

2. What do you like least about this class?

--I have not found anything negative about this class up to this point. It is a very pleasant course to take and there is not so much information given at the beginning of the course to make the course overwhelming as some of the courses are.

--Not knowing how many comments that I should make to other students.

--I can't say that I dislike anything about this class.

--I like this class, so I would say there isn't anything I like least.

--The paper we're going to have to write, but of course, who doesn't like to write papers?!

--Sometimes I feel like I'm in over my head when it comes to the terminology of the internet. I've never had a computer class before this one, so I still get tripped up on browsers, domains, URL's, etc. But I am tying my best to keep up, because I really am learning a lot.

--n/a

--I feel like I spend more time on the internet for this 2 credit class than I would in a classroom or studying...though the work is not as tedious as a classroom environment might be.

-- That we don't have more work.

--Sometimes the time spent searching sites feels like wasted time. This is largely due in part to the volume of information that's out there and sorting through what is relevant is time consuming.

--To be honest nothing.

--In the beginning I thought it took a lot of time for 2 hrs but it has averaged out and I like everything. I really wish we did not have to do a research paper but even that won't be too bad.

--I don’t think that there is really anything that I don’t like about this class.
 
 

3. What could be done to improve this class during the second half of the semester?

--At the present, I have no suggestions as Burks is so thorough as well as, Ray when Burks is not available.

--Cannot think of anything at this time.

--Nothing

--Nothing so far!

--I'm a little nervous about the research paper, but once I sit down and get the 10 website form filled out I think I will be more comfortable.

--n/a

--I could make more time for my work.

--For us to have more task, and more group communication.

--Can't think of anything for this.

--For us to have more task, and more group communication.

--Again nothing.

--I really don't know. It is a great class. Burks you are very good about replying to all of us and giving us some interesting articles to read. I like the class.

--I think that we should just keep doing what we are doing and it will all be great.
 
 

4. Are you having any technical difficulties? If you are, please describe.

--None at the present.

--No- thank God

--No

--No

--No.

--not that I am aware of

--I have had some problems getting on Blackboard.

--A little..but nothing I can't handle. When I was searching for news article databases I had trouble getting the actual articles to read, most were just descriptions about the article.

-- No, this is my second time taking an online class, so I pretty well got it down.

--I wasn't able to use the virtual class room, but it's probably because something I haven't done right.

--No, this is my second time taking an online class, so I pretty well got it down.

--No.

--Only problem I am having is a software problem at my house with my computer. However, I am fortunate enough to have internet access at work and another older computer at home so I have been ok with keeping up. Otherwise no problems!

--No
 
 

5. Is this class meeting your expectations? Is it meeting the objectives you had at the start of the course?

--Yes, it has gone beyond my expectations. It is really a great course to take. It should be mandatory. I wish there were more courses like this for me to take.

--Definitely...

--Yes

--Yes.

--Yes, I was hoping to learn different ways to look up topics. This course is perfect fore that.

--This class is actually surpassing my expectations, I thought when I signed up that it would be kind of boring, not being in class and all, but it doesn't feel like that at all. I think I've communicated with other students more in this class than I have in my other face to face classes...

--Yes, I have gotten more out of this class then I expected.

--Yes it is meeting my expectations in the sense that it is as philosophic as I had anticipated but I did not expect to spend as much time as required for the class.

--Yes

--Yes, and them some.

--Yes, it's meeting my expectations and objectives.

--Yes - As I said I think it is great! I have learned a lot and it is nice when you have a professor who is really into the class too and wants everyone to do well and learn but have fun doing it. I feel that Burks and Ray Schroeder are both this way so it has been great.

--Yes it is meeting my expectations and the objectives that I set at the beginning.
 
 

6. Are the topics of interest to you? Is the instructor knowledgeable in the subject matter?

--The topics are mostly of interest to me. The instructor is very knowledgeable about the subject matter. He is an asset to the course. He really makes learning about the internet fun.

--Yes and yes.

--Yes, I find this class very interesting. The instructor is knowledgeable and very helpful.

--Yes.

--Yes. Very.

--The instructor really knows what he's talking about and he seems to genuinely enjoy teaching this class. I think he has done a wonderful job keeping everyone involved and on track.

--The topics are very helpful to me. The instructor is very knowledgeable about what he is teaching.

--Yes the instructors have been very apt and credible in the lectures as well as in advice for our discussions. I have learned the answers to some of my own questions just from reading other students' submissions.

--Sometimes I lose interest in the technological aspect of internet use.

--Yes, it lets me learn more about the hardware of the internet.

--Yes the topics covered in this class are all interesting, and the instructor is well educated in this area.

--Online learning is interesting to me and our instructor has provided many articles regarding this type of learning.

--Yes they are interesting topics. The instructor is very knowledgeable.
 
 

7. Are the Discussion Questions of value to you? Has Blackboard been a good tool for class discussions, posting assignments, etc.? Have the interactions in Blackboard added to your learning experience?

--The Discussion Questions are a way to make sure that I have done the assignment according to the instructor's expectations. The Blackboard is so nice to have so that I can access it at my own convenience. The interactions and reactions on the Blackboard are always interesting and give different views and ideas.

--Very much so.

--I have learned a lot from the discussion questions about different aspects of the internet. Blackboard has been a good tool for me, although a little confusing at first because I was using WebCT for the last couple classes.

--Yes.

--Yes, being able to read what other people say helps a lot!

--Blackboard is a great tool. I have learned so much from the discussion questions. The lecture on how to search for stuff on the internet more accurately has been so beneficial.

--I have enjoyed everything about the class. I love working with Blackboard.

--Yes, please read the previous question for more.

-- These have been relatively simple tasks. The discussion and postings from students have been interesting to read too.

--yes, I love using blackboard; I think that it is a good source for communication. Yes it gives me practice on voicing my opinions to others.

--Yes, Yes, and Yes

--Yes - I like blackboard and the postings and discussions from classmates and the professor. I have learned a lot and I am enjoying this class a lot.

--Yes to all questions.
 
 

8. Are you getting the "right" amount of feedback from your instructor?

--Yes, he is great!

--I am getting more then enough feedback...he is great...seriously.

--Yes, Burks always responds to postings and e-mails I submit in a very timely manner.

--Yes.

--Yes, he is very helpful and thorough.

--Perfect!!!!

--I have gotten good feedback from my instructor.

--Yes and no..I don't feel that I have someone I can get a lot of mentoring from...On the upside of that, I feel that it makes me work harder as a result of figuring things out for myself...isn't that what the class is for though?

-- Absolutely.

--yes, I have noticed he always comments on everything I write, either the next day or the same day.

--Yes

--Yes, it is nice that he relates something about our comments to his life.
 
 

9. Is the instructor's teaching style appropriate for an online course?

--Yes, he is great at displaying his knowledge of the internet through this course. He makes sure you understand exactly what he is asking you for in an assignment.

--Yes.

--Yes

--Yes very.

--Yes. He explains everything very well so you don't have any questions.

--As I mentioned before, the instructor really seems to enjoy teaching this class.

--The instructor works great with us. He helps us out every step of the way.

--yes I feel so....I have read and understood the lectures and his tips and sites have been more than useful.

-- The lectures are very personable and continuously offer examples that further explain the concepts discussed. While the time and cost of video would probably be extensive, putting more visual effects to this may improve the lecture format

--yes

--Yes

--Yes
 
 

10. Anything else you want to comment on?

--I truly appreciate that Burks takes time out of his busy schedule to immediately answer any e-mail that I send him. It is usually a matter of minutes! That is dedication!

--Good job and keep it up.

--I have enjoyed this class, Burks has made it a great experience.

--No.

--I just wanted to make sure that the instructor knew that my name is Elizabeth Ann Chandler and I am supposed to be in this class. I am the person who signed up for it! Thank you.

--nope :)

--no.

--no

--Great class

--Great class. Now I just need to get my research paper done.

--I am glad that I took this online class and I plan to take more in the future because of it.