Evaluation of CHM 110 On-Line Option
Since the CHM 110 On-Line Option is one of a very few
of this type offered at Elmhurst College, we need to get some
good feedback to be used to improve the course and evaluate its
effectiveness in relation to the more traditional courses. Please
make some comments for each main question. You do not have
to answer all of the sub questions, they are just provided to
get you thinking.
Use the text file
for email submission.
EVALUATION OF GENERAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES:
OBJECTIVE 1. DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
SKILLS THROUGH ACTIVE EXPLORATION OF NATURAL SCIENCE CONCEPTS
AND METHODS WITHIN A SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE.
METHODS WITHIN A SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE
Laboratories: Analysis and Measurements of Compounds: A major
function of chemistry is to answer qualitative and quantitative
questions about the properties of matter. Labs: Physical and Chemical
Properties of Household Substances; Combustion, Heat, and Calories;
Absorption of Solar Energy by Different Materials; Acids and Bases;
Pollution Dilution; Properties of Plastics.
OBJECTIVE 2. EXPLICIT IDENTIFICATION AND CONSIDERATION OF SOCIAL,
PHILOSOPHICAL, AND ETHICAL QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SCIENTIFIC
AND TECHNOLOGICAL TOPICS.
Debates/Role Plays: Nuclear Power Plants, Global Warming, Chlorine
Ban, Methyl Bromide Ban, Tap vs. Bottled Water, A Civil Action.
Please make some comments for each main question. You do not have
to answer all of the sub questions, they are just provided to
get you thinking. I am especially interested in your thoughts on
questions 3, 4, and 5 as this was the first term of a major revamp of
the course.
QUES. 1: First the course needs to be assessed for the
purposes of determining whether the General Education Objectives
have been fulfilled. The objectives along with course methods
are listed above. Please reflect upon these and write a very brief
narrative to explore the connections between the course objectives
and the experiences, insights, and skills learned in this course.
Finally, how well have you met these objectives?
QUES. 2: Course content: Since traditional lectures were
absent, was enough information given in the Topic Outlines? Were
there enough web sites provided to give extra information? Should
the instructor provide more personal notes rather than sending
to other places on the internet? How effective were the instructor
prepared graphics (those with a ProfO Notes containing photos
and line art)?
QUES. 3: For the on-line lecture discussion, were 4 questions
sufficient to cause you to review the material or should more
shorter questions be given? A variety of question formats were used:
Molecule of the week, Content Questions A and B, and an
issue question. Please
comment on the effectiveness of each of these formats. What about the
times when I assigned specific questions
to answer?
QUES. 4: What could be done to improve the Part IV - issue discussions? My original idea was for a true give and take discussion to take place over a period of days where students could make postings and others would respond and ask more questions or make new comments etc. Most students seemed to want to do it once by writing fairly complete answers in the initial response and get it over with, right? Is it hard to regather your thoughts after having not looked at the material for several days?
It seemed that most students used the Part V - 5th question to ask questions and a few responded to those questions, but there was very little posting of responses in the Part IV - issue question.
Any suggestions on this?
QUES. 5:
What were your strategies to effectively look at the discussion
posted by your classmates? I am looking for the actual specific
mechanics of using the Blackboard discussion board. Could you
effectly use the interface provided? How much did you actually
read other students postings? Did you go back to see if I had
answered questions, especially in Part V?
QUES. 6: How effective was doing the course on-line as
opposed to the traditional in class format? What did you like
the best? the least? What reasons would you use to recommend or
not recommend this to another student? Did you allow sufficient
time for the course, (whether in-class or on-line my expectations
are that you spend 6-10 hours per week)?
QUES. 7: Were you able to listen to the audio's that I made for
each topic and lab? Were these helpful?
QUES. 8: What suggestions can you offer for improving the
delivery of the course on-line? Format of web pages? Use of the
Weekly News or Assignment Page? Use of the Discussion Board?
Other Comments?
Please be assured that your responses and comments will not affect
your final grade.