COMP3530 and COMP6353

2012 Week 6 in-class survey feedback and actions

The in-class survey we completed in week 6 was analysed by Malcolm Pettigrove of the CECS Education Development Group at the end of March. While I have already implemented some minor changes and discussed issues raised with some students, I have not had a chance to provide written feedback until now (week 9).

The survey results indicate that students are generally happy with the way the course is running. This is good news for a brand new course. However, there were a number of key issues raised which need to be addressed either this year or next:

• Some students thought that learning outcomes were unclear. In response, I will review the learning outcomes on StudyAt and in the Week 1 lecture notes for next year.
• There were some comments about clarity regarding marking criteria. The web site already provides detail regarding marking criteria for the LP and tutorial facilitation. In order to provide additional detail, I posted an assessment rubric when we gave feedback on Stage II of the LP.
• There is no doubt that the assessment scheme is different to many other courses and difficult to follow at the start of the course. At this stage in the course, things are running smoothly and everyone seems to understand what is required of them each week. For next year, I will supplement the existing assessment scheme description with a diagram depicting the relationships between the various components - similar to a diagram I prepared for VCUG3001.
• For some students, the course workload is too high. Some of the concerns seem to relate to the number of separate items required each week. While I don't necessarily agree with these views, I have reduced the workload a little by eliminating the need to document questions for the panel in your LP each week. So now, there are two items required each week - the LP entry and tutorial tickets. For next year, I will look at how we might organise assessment items so that there is a single deadline each week - probably the night before your tutorial.
• A number of students were able to apply ideas discussed in COMP3530 to their group project, or would like to apply the ideas more generally. I will therefore look at how we might highlight connections between COMP3530, the group project (COMP3500) and other courses for next year. I will also look at adding some more practical aspects to the course.
• There is an issue of what 'reflection' is wrt the the LP. While we have provided examples from VCUG3001 and a rubric, I will hold a tutorial in week 2 next year to look specifically at LPs. We will, of course, have example LPs from this year available for students next year.
• For various reasons, I think we need to apply additional resources to assessing LPs. This will allow us to provide more extensive feedback to students.
• A couple of students suggested that the lecturer should discuss connections between the weekly topics. This was also raised in VCUG3001 and is a good idea. So, next year, I will schedule time in each tutorial for such discussion - maybe the student facilitators could do it as part of their tutorial.