CLASS FEEDBACK

Thank you so much for taking the time to write down how you feel about the class. These are very helpful for me to prepare better next time. Thanks for the complementary words. I am glad most of you are having a positive experience in the class. For those of you who could have had a better experience: thanks for sharing what is bothersome and thanks for offering suggestions. It is important to know what doesn't work.

I got feedback from 136 students (~ 60% of the roster). 4 students expressed overall discontent with the way things are. The rest of the class is generally OK with it (YEAY! :-). Below is the breakdown by general topic area:

WEB PAGE
overheads

very helpful (56 students)
better to have the overheads posted before class (17)
overheads are disorganized, hard to follow (1)
inconvenient to get the notes off the web (1)
practice test/review sheet- very helpful (44)

EXAM

exam was fair and mirrored the practice test/study guide (25)
exam was difficult and confusing (in comparison to the practice test) (9)
more review in class, need to tell us specifically what to read from the book (7)

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

mic is a big problem (36)
overhead doesn't work regularly, hard to read (4)
classroom is too cold (2)

LECTURE & CLASS DISCUSSIONS

like the interactive style, get the class more involved (19)
don't like the interactive lecture, need to lecture more (9)
too much lecturing (1)
lecture/book/overhead connection is not clear (18)
lectures are boring (5)
lectures are interesting and matches the textbook (16)
use more visual (3)
don't use overheads (1)

GROUP DISCUSSIONS

love it, have more group work (38)
hate it, drop it (6)
need more individual work (1)
don't like individual work (1)
need to reward attendance more (4)
need extra credit (2)

EXCERPTS
"The class is very good overall. The class discussions are very interesting and helpful. The group assignments are also very helpful because it enables one to share ideas and thoughts within our group. ..."

"I think the group discussions are worthless. I don't get anything from them- so we should not do them. I come everyday to class prepared to take notes but I never find anything worth taking notes on. The lectures are a joke because you could just stay at home and read the book and still get an A. It's also hard to understand you, especially when you pronounce names."

"The class so far has been okay. ... We should have more small group discussions. For the most part just the front of the class interact more with the teacher, and for us in the back it's hard to keep up and understand. I think you should limit the use of overheads!"

"The only complaint that I have about the class is group work. I feel strongly that education is for the individual and one's individual grade should not be dependent on a group of students. I paid roughly $350.00 for this class and my grade should only be dependent on me. Please reconsider doing group work."

"So far this class has been pretty good. I have learned a lot. ... You make this class very understandable and interesting. I like the group projects because it allows me to interact with people in the class."

"The lectures/class discussions are dull and do not help my understanding of sociology. Please lecture more closely to the book!"

"I really enjoy the class. You keep me focused during the class period. I think it is very helpful how you want everyone to participate. Keeping students active in class is what makes things more interesting and fun. I don't really have any suggestions for what you should do better- overall, great job!"

"... There is a lot of down time in class where students are just rambling on about topics that aren't very significant."

"... I enjoy the classes that don't have overheads because it is more free form and promotes discussion. I like the group discussions. I think you should try to promote more class discussion."

"... You are very active in trying to get student participation which is good because it livens up the atmosphere more in class."

"I enjoy the lectures and find them interesting and I think discussions are good because they get other people's perspectives. I don't think that the group work is as helpful to what we are learning but it does give us a chance to talk with other students in the class. The test reflected what we learned pretty well but I feel that more of the book's information should be incorporated into lectures."

"The test went pretty well. Thanks for the detailed review."

"I would say I enjoy the class. It's not as boring as I thought it would be."

"There is too much lecture time. Your voice is monotone, makes it hard to pay attention. Not always clear. Not very interesting."

"I love this class! I think everything is wonderful. My scores are good and I have learned a lot. I don't think there is much room for improvement."

"You are rude at times, but not too often. Besides that I really enjoy this class!"

"This class is easy. I would appreciate a little more variety though. Lecture, notes, group activities get monotonous after a while. I also would like a neutral approach to the material because the only perspective of the socialist liberal left seems to be presented. But eveything else is a OK!!"

and the Zen feedback:
"things are good."
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