Mid-Semester Evaluation Spring01

COM 333
University of Illinois at Springfield
Spring 2001

What do you like most about this class?

All the new things I am learning and the fact that they are presented very simply. I also like the fact that you don't make us feel stupid.
Being able to attend class at home and you can do your homework when ever you want.
Being able to attend from home.
convenience, relaxed atmosphere, great info
Good access to various search engines.
More than one instructor and a nice interaction between them.
Open to suggestions, learning, from students who have know something in a certain area.
I have enjoyed the lecture materials and have found them very helpful.
I enjoy internet classes because I have the freedom to go to class whenever I have time. This is a big plus for me.
Whenever I had a question the instructor answered my e-mail within the hour. I have never had this happen before. Sometimes it is hard to get to an instructor even in a classroom if you are limited on extra time.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with the course.
The ability to attend class at a time that is convenient for me.
The ability to interact asynchronously and at anytime. The content is very up to date and applicable.
The amount of interaction between the students and between the students are instructors.
the convenience
The discussions
The feedback and the useful information. I have already learned so much to make my life easier. Thank you!!
The interactions with the instructor and the other students
The interesting people. I can't believe how many military people and police officers there are in the class.
The wealth of research options made available and information to determine the validity. The feedback from instructors and students.

What do you like least about this class?

Remembering all the different places I need to check! I have this problem in all my online classes.
The thing I hate the most is not really the class it is with the technology. I am always getting knocked off line during the middle of something.
I believe I learn more sitting in a classroom.
nothing about the class, just my own procrastinations
Too many sentences in the lecture begin with Well, ...
I have not found anything that I dislike about this class.
I am disappointed that a number of the students in class are not taking the course very seriously or putting much effort into preparing their responses for the weekly assignments. I am also disappointed that students are not commenting on the news stories that Burks and Ray have been posting. These news stories are informative and pertinent to the academic purpose of this course.
There is a lot of me too discussion in the discussion boards. People typically take these nontraditional classes because they do not live a traditional life and are unable to sit through the 3.5 hour course. There is a lot of discussion that is way of target in the lecture discussion rooms. I beleive that the student lounge is a great place for this as I am sure it is essential to the nature of the course but is not always essential to the fundamental nature of a specific lecture.
Some of the chats are short personal conversations between a couple of class members and they take time to download and sort through.
I can't find any problems.
intimidation factor that I am not doing everything correctly and/or efficiently, especially when I read some of entries of the classmates who are obviously more experienced with the internet.
The discussions. We're all too long winded.
That the threads take so long to load, but the rest is fantastic, so who cares!
nothing - it is fine as is - the best online class that I have taken so far!
It was the confusion of how to do everything but that has improved with time.
The credit hours are only worth 2 hours.

What could be done to improve this class during the rest of the semester?

I'm not sure...I think the way you are doing the class is fine.
I have taken 3 semesters on-line now and I think that this process is smooth running from the teachers point. The technical difficulties are another thing.
I think you are doing a good job. I was a little confused on links at first, this is my first online course. If I have any other problems I will contact you.
nothing
Maybe a bit more advising on individual projects.
Some people feel a bit lost what counts as a good project or paper.
I am not sure if it needs to be improved.
I would like to suggest that, in addition to having students do a weekly assignment, they also be required to participate in a weekly discussion. The news stories that Burks has been posting would be an excellent resource for this purpose as would the weekly lectures. Food for thought . . .
Limit the number of postings that include me too's or I agree's, etc. The postings in the lecture info shoudl be about the lecture info. All other discussion should take place in the student lounge where it is optional to read.
Could spell check be accessed when typing responses?
It works great the way it is. It has been fun and I look forward to logging in.
Unsure.
I don't know. We seem to be moving along at a good pace.
Leave it the way it is.
nothing - it is fine as is - the best online class that I have taken so far!
I don't see anything that needs to be changed.
I believe I have done equal to or more work in this online class as compared to others and believe this course is worthy of 4 credit hours.

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

My technical difficulties are caused by where I live, I'm sure. Ever so often I can't access url sites, etc. We are in the country and just have had internet access (without paying excessive amounts) for the past year so this is all new where I am. I have had problems with emails being garbled or people sending me emails and me not receiving them but again I think it is where I live. Many times if I log on in the middle of the night I can access things with no problems.
I have problems getting homework to submit from digital drop box. Also just trying to submit homework.
Technology is fine.
no
No.
None
No
no
No again just the time to download the new messages if there is a fair number of new ones on the thread.
None
Yes. Consistent ability to access hyperlinks from the blue highlights requiring me to do searches outside of the login format.
I'm having technical problems but they're on my end, not yours.
Not technical, just self inflicted. :>
Nope!
None so far.
On occasion, the lecture PowerPoint slides are smeared on the screen (as like a UPC barcode).

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

yes
Yes, I thought I was going to be in over my head because I did not know all of the computer terms. Burks always is there to help out though. It is like one on one in classroom. Thanks for making this a great learning experience.
Yes, I am learning my way around the internet.
definitely
Yes, but I'd like more help in getting into my area.
Yes!
Yes
It is meeting my expectations however I am still not clear why it is a 2 hour course that meets in detail such as we do for the entire semester.
Yes, definitely and then some.
It has gone beyond my expectations. Again its been the interaction and information shared.
Yes to both questions.
Well, I thought it was going to be about writing more and researching less but I'm glad I was wrong.
Yes.
Yes, Yes!!
yes
Absolutely.

Are the course topics of interest to you?

Yes
yes I am always wanting to learn about technology.
Yes.
yes
Yes.
Very.
Yes
yes
Yes very current.
Yes, they have been relevant and helpful to me in my other courses.
Yes.
Research
Yes.
Yes!!
Yes
Absolutely.

Have the interactions in the Blackboard discussion forums added to your learning experience?

yes...I think it helps so much to interact with others in the class. Although we all come from many different areas and backgrounds we all have some things in common and it helps to share both differences and samenesses.
yes it is always nice to get feedback from everyone else even though you don't see each other.
Yes, other students have helpful information.
neutral
basically yes
Yes.
Burks and Ray have made postings that have added to my learning experience.
If they relate to the topics at hand.
For sure. Some members have very relevant suggestions or comments. I am a bit overwhelmed at the class size and maybe a smaller class number would make getting to know your classmates easier. I had only ten in my last group and felt I got to know them personally. There are just too many in this class for that sort of interaction.
Yes, everyone has been helpful to one another with passing along information.
Yes.
Yes, but it's hard to get through everything. If you miss a day or so it takes almost a week to get caught up.
Yes.
Yes, most definitely. I really like being part of the learning community - the other students and Burks always have something that helps everyone else learn.
Yes. The people seem to be so intelligent.
Absolutely.

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

Yes, you and Ray both have been excellent about answering questions.
yes he is on-line with the class more than any of the students.
Yes
yes
the amount s fine, but I can use more guidance on my specific project even to shelp me set up what I should research.
It's a bit too hands off on this.
YES!
Yes.
Yes
Burks and Ray are very prompt at responding to all emails. It amazes me.
Burks must be online 20 hours a day from his response. My other class has absolutely no feed back.
Yes.
I guess so.
Yes.
Yes. Burks should be a poster child for online instructors - he seems to be online all the time.
yes very well.
Yes, I only wish I would receive similar feedback from other online instructors.

Is the instructor's teaching style appropriate for an online class?

It is excellent for an online course.
yes
Yes
yes
It's fine but I could use more guidance on my specific project even to help me set up what I should research.
It's a bit too hands off on this.
Yes
I appreciate that fact that Burks and Ray make postings that give positive reinforcement to a student for completing a weekly assignment. These postings are informative.
yes
Relaxed yet organized. Works for me!
Yes
Yes.
Better than others, that's for sure.
Yes.
Yes. Burks is the best!
Yes
Excellent.

How did you find out about online courses at UIS?

When I decided to come back to school (I am an older student) to finish up I called 4 different colleges to look at what they could offer and UIS hooked me up with Andy Egizii who told me about the online programs. Because I have had 3 surgeries in the past year they were perfect for my needs. The neatest thing about them is that they cover such a large area of interests and needs.
when I was attending Lakeland College.
Schedule
saw it in the course catalog
on the net
Student handbook.
UIS online course schedule
catalog
From the calendar.
I had seen an newspaper ad. I had been looking for an online program for years.
Class schedule and a former student of the class recommended.
A misdirected phone call.
Liberal Arts Degree Sample Degree Proposals.
The online catalog of the Illinois Virtual Campus.
A friend.
A former employer was involved in Illinois Virtual Campus.

Would you be taking this course if it were not available online?

I would at sometime...I don't know about this semester but it is a class I truly need to help improve my very poor computer skills.
no
Yes
no
no
I do not know. Maybe.
No
no
No.
No, I am interested in only online classes.
Probably not at this time.
No Actually, a class on communicating on the Internet not on the Internet would seem rather silly.
No.
No - I live too far away from UIS to commute.
Probably not.
Probably not due to the mileage barrier.

Do you intend to take another online course from UIS? Why or why not?

Yes. I took 4 last semester and I am taking 4 this semester (and one on campus class). For me right now they are perfect because I can do them at my convenience. I also have been impressed with the professors I have had because they seem very committed to the students succeeding.
yes I really like them. you get just as much learning experiences as regular classes.
Yes
no, only because I am graduating
yes
it's convenient
If they offer a class that I need, I will take other classes on the net.
I am a student in the online bachelor degree program at UIS. I will be completing all my required coursework online.
yes. it is convenient
I am currently taking a second online course and will be graduating this spring.
I am enrolled in the LIS program, so yes. I wish there were more offered because I will have to go to other places to complete a degree.
Undecided.
Yes Want to finish my degree before I'm too old to read the diploma.
Yes. I am a 100% online student.
yes I plan to my B.A. in liberal studies all on line.
Absolutely, I am intending to primarily finish my degree online.

Anything else you want to comment on?

Just thanks for all the effort you put into this class. I know some of the professors aren't crazy about online classes but they are a great addition to the university.
no
no
no
I would like to suggest that UIS consider offering two courses, as opposed to one. The first course could be tailored to fit the needs of beginner students and second those of intermediate and advanced users. In thinking about the level of expertise of the students in this course, I think there is enough interest among students at UIS to support two courses. More food for thought . . .
no
I wish the other class I am taking was like this one.
Not at this time.
Somehow I think the discussion board should be segmented a little differently but I'm not sure how. Maybe some of the sessions could be real-time chats. Most of us need experience in that anyway.
Thanks to all your doing a great job!!
Nope.
Not at this time.
There is a glitch with the i-card system and I am not the only person experiencing this problem. Other students have posted similar problems in another course. Students are being expected to use the i-card but not able to inter-library loan without the i-card.