To: cps-users

From: Charles Chiu

cc: Vicki (Victoria Mariupolskaya) <ctalk@physics.utexas.edu>

Date 4-08-04

Re: Survey on the use of cps-system, Spring 04

Dear CPS-user,

The UT-cps-support would like to evaluate to what extent the cps-system is helpful in your class teaching and how we can serve you better. We request that you conduct on a cps-survey concerning the use of cps-system between now and the end of the current semester.

In order to help us to interpret the results, please use the standardized questionnaire-page below, which can also be printed from the web at the end of item#39 on our UT-cps-bulletin at: http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~ctalk/bulletin/index.htm. You may project the questionnaire page on the screen either using hardcopy with the document camera or using a transparency with the overhead project. We will also put copies of this questionnaire page out side of my office, RLM10_206.

With our present setup, the survey questions and your regular question/answer sessions are meant to be included in ONE output file, i.e. the file of that class day when you conduct the survey. There is no need to make a separate file for the survey. The survey should be done at the beginning of your class. This will help us to identify the electronic data of your survey results, if needed.

Here are our recommendation in conducting an in-class survey:

· To protect the privacy of students, students could exchange their remotes for the survey. (Optional)

· Project the questionnaire-page using either the document camera or use the overhead projector. First cover the page, except the preamble. Then uncover the survey-question one at the time. Just for your information, the survey for a regular user should take less than 10 minutes for a class of ~120 students.

· An important time-saver: After each question when the histogram is displayed, write down the number of responses for each choice as indicated on the histogram as you go along.

· Notice at the end of the questionnaire page, students are encouraged to give you their comments either by written notes or through email.

· Email following information to directly to me at: chiu@physics.utexas.edu

o Survey results of your class ( include the survey date)

o Include your comments in using the system from both your perspective and students’ perspectives.

Other cps-matter:

Signup for summer04 and for Fall04: Vicki is currently working on the signup pages for summer04 and fall04. When the signup pages are ready we will let you know.

cps-record in Homework-service (See #36, #38 on UT-cps-bulletin)

For instructors who are currently using the homework service, we remind you it is necessary for you to setup your account properly to receive the "classtalk" record. (See item #36 on the UT-cps bulletin.) If the bulk of your class have their cps-record in your the homework service account, however the "classtalk" record for several students are missing, please see item #38 on the bulletin.

Let Vicki or myself know if you have any questions and comments.

Thank you for your attention and your help.

Charles Chiu

UT-CPS support

Survey on the use of cps-system: Spring 2004

Preamble: Our objectives in using the system are e.g.

o to promote active learning atmosphere in our classroom

o to provide quick feedback to the instructor and students

o to engage student’s attention

o to promote class-attendance and participation

Protect students’ privacy: For the survey, students may exchange their remotes with their neighbors’.

***********************

1. Do you feel that our discussing interactive questions during lectures helped you to learn the material better than non-interactive lessons?

o A. Yes, definitely. B. Helped frequently.

o C. Helped occasionally. D. Not at all.

2. Do you feel that our discussing “interactive questions” during lectures help you to test your understanding of the material?

o A. Yes, definitely. B. Helped frequently.

o C. Helped occasionally. D. Not at all.

3. Does use of the system change likelihood of students attending class?

o A. Strongly increased B. Increased

o C. Slightly increased D. No change

4. Overall, would you rate the system as a positive or a negative addition to this class?

o A. Very positive B. Somewhat positive

o C. Indifferent D. Negative

5. In a semester, the one-time cps-registration fee allows a student

to access an unlimited number of classes where cps is in use. Are there other classes of yours, which could be of benefit to you, if the system were to be used there?

o A. Yes, more than one. B. Yes, there is one.

o C. May be. D. No.

End of survey: Get back your remote if applicable. Students are encouraged

to give cps-related comments to the instructor, which may help to interpret the survey results.