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Semelhante a New Media Course Evaluation Shows High Student Satisfaction
Semelhante a New Media Course Evaluation Shows High Student Satisfaction (20)
Mais de Ana ADI
Mais de Ana ADI (20)
New Media Course Evaluation Shows High Student Satisfaction
- 2. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com At the end of the New Media course, the 17 participating students were asked to take a survey in order to evaluate the New Media course together with the lecturer’s method, approach and enthusiasm. The evaluation survey was accessible online leaving students with the option of taking it at their own pace and in the absence of the lecturer. To avoid bias, students were asked to submit their answers before their final grades were delivered. All 17 students took the survey, offering responses from 100% of the course participants. The survey’s structure of the previous semesters has been maintained. All overall categories indicated for evaluation were marked by students with “very good” and “excellent” qualifiers. More than third of the class deemed the teaching effectiveness to be excellent, while more than a half of the students found the class to be very good content and experience wise. 1. Overall course evaluation results Asked to evaluate specific aspects of the course or the teaching process, the students responses confirm the high evaluations of the overall course. While there are some categories were students evaluation rests within the “good” category, the majority of the evaluations are to be found within the “excellent range”. The lecturer’s organization of the course, the lecturer’s use of examples, the lecturer’s use of technology and the lecturer’s availability to offer extra help are just some of the categories that obtained the “excellent” mark from more than 60% of the students.
- 3. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com 2. Specific course elements evaluation As with previous sessions, two online live video guest lecturers were set up. Similar with the previous sessions, the online live video lectures were regarded as a novelty as well as a great way to integrate new media in the class. The guest lectures this semester were from three different areas of expertise as well as 2 countries: John Coster from Leicester, UK managing a community journalism project, James O’Malley representing Ipadio, a phonecast recording/sharing platform based in the UK and Dr Mic Adam of Vanguard Leadership, a social networking policy specialist from Belgium (present in the classroom) 3.Online video guest lecture evaluation
- 4. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com Among other aspects of the course evaluated were the use of the class time (47.06% good), the relevance and usefulness of the course content (41.06% excellent and 41.18% very good) and the reasonableness of the assigned work (52.94% very good). Taking into account that the course is an intensive one and that more than 60% of the students grade relies on daily, in class work and projects that need to be delivered within very strict deadlines, the very good mark is a reflection of a balanced organization of the course. 4. Other course dimensions evaluated With regards to presence, most students attended all classes and their expected grades range between 70‐100%. Three qualitative questions were part of the survey as well. They aimed to determine the areas that students most liked or disliked as well as identify elements that students would have wanted the course to cover. Even with the course covering 8 sessions and therefore 24 hours of contact, some students suggested the course to take even longer.
- 5. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com Suggestions for design and web design programs were made, showing a potential interest that KATHO could cover by offering such courses in the following semesters. 5. New course elements wanted Among the improvements suggested, an extended class time and further details into blog publishing were made. An interest in publication strategy and increasing visibility of blogs could indicate that students assimilated the 101 lesson (how to set up blogs and write for the internet) and started thinking strategically about their online writings. This would indicate that one of the main learning objectives of the course has been attained.
- 6. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com 6. Suggested improvements Among the things the students liked the most were the team project, the class interaction that the course facilitated and the very applied nature of the course. The entire list of responses is included below.
- 8. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com Observations and Conclusions: All the answers given to the questions asked are in the higher positive range – from good to excellent. The areas marked the students as being excellent (obtaining also the majority vote) were: • The lecturer’s use of technology (76.47%) • The lecturer’s use of examples and illustrations (70.59%) • The relevance and usefulness of the course content (52.94%) The practical aspects of the course were mentioned as strong points of the course and good learning experiences. It should be noted that this semester featured two individual assignments and two team‐work assignments, apart from the final team‐ project all other projects having as deadline the end of the day’s class time. To showcase the student’s assignments the following platforms were used: http://kathonewmedia.wordpress.com http://kathonewmedia.posterous.com http://kathonewmedia.pbworks.com These spaces were also used to showcase the student’s final practical projects. It is notable that many of the students indicate as an important factor the lecturer’s enthusiasm and support. As with previous semesters, this shows reiterates the potential, if not the need, for courses to be delivered in a more interactive way where students are constantly given challenges to solve together with the lecturer. When it comes to the use of technology, even three years since the course was first offered, the online live video guest lectures obtained still a very positive evaluation even from a group who is accustomed to using online live video streaming platforms for personal uses. The responses indicate that the transfer of knowledge, dialogue as well as learning objectives could be achieved regardless of the presence in class of the lecturer. Furthermore, the good evaluation the online live video lectures received show that students appreciate contact with industry experts. It also presents a potential for application in other courses and other environments as a short‐term yet cost‐effective solution. Recommendations and suggestions:
- 9. Ana ADI Doctoral Researcher – University of the West of Scotland, UK PR Consultant http://anaadi.wordpress.com Taking into account the students’ observations and in an attempt to make a link to the areas determined in the course evaluation as having a potential for improvement it is suggested: • An expansion and diversification of the social media curriculum from general topics such as the one suggested by this course to more platform/use oriented ones such as design or branding. • An expansion of the New Media course to local students as well (not necessarily in the same classroom). • To attempt selecting students prior to begging of class (submission of online resume and Skype interview would allow the lecturer to interact first hand with the students and ensure interest, motivation and preparation are high). This will enable the visiting lecturer to search and negotiate short‐term projects with small and medium companies that would benefit from the work and feedback of the students. Moreover, it will ensure that the content delivered meets the students specialization needs. • To continue emphasizing on the practical aspects of new media. • To liaise with commercial clients and thus offer the students the opportunity to work on projects with real impact on business actors. • To liaise with other educational institutions within and outside of Belgium enabling students to collaborate and interact with their peers in short‐term projects. • To continue to have guest lecturers from different universities joining via online live video. • To continue emphasizing on short‐deadline assignments as a means of preparing students to thrive in their future working environments. • To offer the course to returning students (if they want to), their assignment being to develop an online communication strategy or campaign for a product/company of their choice or to work on new media aspects that could relate to their honour’s degrees for their home institutions .