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Survey Results



Course Survey Results


Philip   Johnson   ICS314, Fall 2013

Campus: University of Hawaii at Manoa Course: ICS 314 - Software Engineering I
Department:   Information& Computer Sciences Crn (Section):   79272 (001)    


1.   Class Level (pick one) - please note that by answering this question you could potentially jeopardize your anonymity

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Freshman (1)  Sophomore (2)  Junior (3)  Senior (4)  Grad (5)  Other (6) 
4.2 15 0.77   0(0%) 0(0%) 1(7%) 12(80%) 0(0%) 2(13%)
2.   Course - please note that by answering this question you could potentially jeopardize your anonymity

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Elective (1)  Required (2) 
1.71 15 0.47   4(27%) 10(67%)
3.   The instructor demonstrated knowledge of course content.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.93 15 0.26   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 1(7%) 14(93%)
4.   The instructor fulfilled the goals of the course.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.87 15 0.35   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 2(13%) 13(87%)
5.   The instructor communicated effectively.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.67 15 0.72   0(0%) 0(0%) 2(13%) 1(7%) 12(80%)
6.   I gained a good understanding of concepts/principles in this field.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.82 11 0.4   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 2(18%) 9(82%)
7.   I deepened my interest in the subject matter of this course.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.64 11 0.5   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 4(36%) 7(64%)

8.   Which aspects of the course were most valuable?
Creating a presence in the world of software engineering by putting yourself and your work online.
Having modules that build off a previous module's work helps one understand how the web application is designed and makes for more efficient designs.
This class, more than any other ICS class I've taken, teaches you about the "real world" skills that aren't taught in other courses - most of which have to do with learning how to collaborate with a team of programmers. The class has a pretty heavy load, but it's worth it. Everything you do in class is meant to benefit you directly.
I think introducing the time-limit aspect to programming was really helpful and now I feel like I'm able to do so without feeling nervous. I am also very glad that the first thing we did in this class was to create a professional portfolio and LinkedIn account, and throughout the course, we even made GitHub accounts. Most of us are almost graduating, so having all these things in hand was really helpful.
Creating Personal Profile.
The assignments and screencasts. The screencasts were a huge part in learning the material.
The in-class and at home WODs were a great way to learn the material. Also, watching Dr. Johnson implement the solution helped me to understand the material when I initially didn't understand it.
The hands on design of web application.
The constant practice of subjects we learned


9.   Which aspects of the course were least valuable?
Java webapp programming. I would have like to learn a different non-Java language/framework.
Some of the longer WOD's could have used more build up as to make them less stressful/intensive (though this may have been on purpose).
Really can't think of anything. One of the best classes I've taken.
Writing the blog posts were the most difficult part about this course (but it wasn't too bad).
Drawing ER-Diagrams.
If I had to choose something it, it would be the books requirement.
I didn't really care for the blog posts. While I understand that it may be valuable to potential future employers, I can't say that I learned much from the experience.
n/a
HEBS

10.   The instructor gives clear explanations.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.27 11 0.79   0(0%) 0(0%) 2(18%) 4(36%) 5(45%)
11.   The instructor seems to enjoy teaching.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.64 11 0.67   0(0%) 0(0%) 1(9%) 2(18%) 8(73%)
12.   The instructor seems knowledgeable in many areas.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.73 11 0.47   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 3(27%) 8(73%)
13.   The instructor was effective in meeting the objectives of the course.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.82 11 0.4   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 2(18%) 9(82%)
14.   The instructor was enthusiastic about the course material.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.82 11 0.4   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 2(18%) 9(82%)
15.   The instructor is willing to meet and help students outside class.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.09 11 0.83   0(0%) 0(0%) 3(27%) 4(36%) 4(36%)
16.   The instructor makes me feel free to ask questions.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.27 11 0.79   0(0%) 0(0%) 2(18%) 4(36%) 5(45%)
17.   The instructor seems well prepared for each class.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.7 11 0.48   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 3(27%) 7(64%)
18.   The instructor presented the course materials in a clear and organized way.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.73 11 0.47   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 3(27%) 8(73%)
19.   In general, the course was well organized.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.73 11 0.65   0(0%) 0(0%) 1(9%) 1(9%) 9(82%)

20.   My overall evaluation of this instructor is....
Professor Johnson is a really great instructor. He shows us what it takes to be competent in the software engineering world.
A great teacher that presents the material in a way that is (mostly) easy to understand.
One of the best ICS professors.
It was a great experience being taught by Dr. Johnson. He was very encouraging about the importance of taking advantage of opportunities that would benefit us in the long run. I think many of us would never have thought to participate in Startup Weekend, but it turned out to be a great experience that we can talk about to future employers. I think he has done very well to prepare for working in the field.
Good Professor.
Great teacher, tough grader. I definitely learned a lot in this course which I'm sure will be applicable in whatever I plan to do after graduation. As the semester went on, my greatest fear was not failing the course; it was that I may disappoint the professor.
Excellent.
Very good
A good professor. Would take a class from him again.

21.   Assignments are relevant to what is presented in class.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.91 11 0.3   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 1(9%) 10(91%)
22.   The instructional materials (e.g., texts, handouts, etc.) were relevant to course objectives.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.55 11 0.69   0(0%) 0(0%) 1(9%) 3(27%) 7(64%)
23.   Grades are assigned fairly and impartially.

Mean N-Size Std Dev   Strongly Disagree (1)  Disagree (2)  Neutral (3)  Agree (4)  Strongly Agree (5) 
4.64 11 0.5   0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 4(36%) 7(64%)

24.   My overall evaluation of this course is...
This is a great course take with Professor Johnson. Although the work maybe frequent, they are pretty interesting.
I gained some useful skills that I can use in future programming assignments and now have some experience in areas that I have not yet experienced.
I think I summed it up already. Great course!
I really enjoyed the structure of this course. Rather than going to class to sit through a long lecture, we were able to watch short screencasts that highlighted the main concepts to remember and simply go to class to do exercises. The structure did not make it harder to learn compared to normal classes; in fact, I feel like I've learned much more than I normally would just sitting through a lecture.
Interesting Course.
Highly recommended but be prepared to work (a lot). It also helps a lot if you have a good laptop. I'm taking 4 classes this semester but I spend the most time doing the workload from 314.
Highly recommended.
Very useful and insightful
Well organized and surprisingly a lot of fun
Hard course, but learned a lot. The timed WODs are stressful, not sure if it being timed helped me learn anything.


25.   Other comments:
My favorite class this semester, and one of my favorite in my college career. This class asks a lot of you so you have to be prepared to invest a lot of time, but Professor Johnson seems to recognize this and therefore is lenient enough with when you get work in. I really like that he encourages us so strongly to branch out into the "real world" and build job skills beyond the classroom.
Best class of this semester. I'll leave it up to whoever is reading this to decide if that means this class was really good or my other ones all sucked.
One of the courses where most of the knowledge learned will actually be useful in real life! Fun and moderately challenging course. Blog posts were a little tedious but understandable due to the WI the course offers. I did not like the "surprise" assignments not due on Tuesday without a clear announcement of the due date. Yes the WODs were announced but not all of the due dates, and since most of the WODs had only one assignment it became routine to assume Tuesdays to finish them, unless announced. Some WODs had multiple assignments that were due before Tuesday and although the announcement of the WOD is given out I believe an announcement of the due dates should also be included for all assignments, that would have been really helpful for turning all assignments in on time. I checked my email and the group posts everyday to get heads up on the events that occur but still managed to miss some assignments. Or another possibility that would help is tentative due dates listed for all assignments in the calendar, that way we can expect non Tuesday work to be done a lot earlier. Most of us I would say start on the WODs on the weekend so if an assignment were due on Friday, we may not even realize it. I've talked to some of the other students and they also missed assignment due dates because of this "surprise". Putting up due dates for assignments on the calendar earlier by at least a week would be really helpful, maybe not even post the WOD but just the due date that would improve the assignment submission rate I'd say. Some of feedback responses to our assignments were a lot harsher than what other professors would have responded with so that was a little interesting. I think that all WODs done in class should have no DNF time until the end of class (all 1 hour 15 minutes). Unexpected circumstances may occur in doing a WOD. I remember doing a WOD three times in one class because I was unfamiliar with GitHub and somehow deleted my changes. Assignments being due at 12am would also be nice. can't think of anything else at the moment. but great class overall!
Class was a lot of work but was a lot of fun.
Hands down, this is the best ICS course I've taken at UH and I'm glad it's being offered and taught by a passionate teacher.
None.
I need a better laptop for 414. I hope I can get a Macbook or something for cheap on Black Friday.
I learned a lot from his course. He is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the material being taught.