Course evaluation 2010

The following is a summary of the course evaluations held in early November. This is not the official course evaluation (multiple-choice questions); I will only get those results in March, 2011.

Here is a copy of the evaluation form you filled in. [LINK]

• 55 evaluations were returned (class size in 99 students)
  • Thanks for the very large number of comments and your time to give me feedback
• Average time spent of this course outside the class was 5 hours \(\pm\) 2.25 hours
  • The variation around the average was quite high: most students spend extra time on assignments that require coding.
• 76% of the class bought/borrowed the course textbook, while 30% of the class use the course textbook at least once per week
  • Many in the class rated the book as not being useful
• Extra required for the midterm was on average 25 minutes \(\pm\) 17 minutes (1 standard deviation)
  • This large range of variation is expected; many students felt the time was adequate; but also many students felt they need over 45 minutes extra. I will use this to help set the final exam.

• 48% of the class wanted to use Python, but the actual rate of Python usage is about 18% of the class.
  • Most students stated their preference for MATLAB was because they had already learned it; but many stated they would switch to Python if they got extra grades for that. Remember though: the main reason for this course is to learn how to use whatever tool effectively, whether it is MATLAB or Python or Polymath, or whatever your preference is.

How can the course be improved

This was the part of the evaluation I was most interested in. Below is a bullet point list of comments, with the most frequent comments at the top

• Be available for help (e.g. in the lab)
  • As stated, I don't have an office on campus; please come see me 30 minutes before and after the class (i.e. I am available 3 hours per week as my office hours). The TA's available in the labs, or anytime outside the lab, by phoning/emailing them. The 2 TA's have taken graduate-level courses in numerical methods and are totally qualified to help you out.
• Give more software tutorials; teach the basics of programming; more explanation about MATLAB and Python; more coding examples

Less assumed prior knowledge More in depth examples and descriptions More examples to each concept Examples related to assignments 2 weeks for assignments More example on board Shorter tutorials Test or exam level questions in class More warning about assignments Earlier time slot for lecture Better class for lecture More TAs at the tutorials More time for tests and exams Make assignments less difficult Assignments on bottom-left of web page are easy to miss Class is hot Class is noisy at the front Ensure final exam can be completed in 3 hours Too many slides/details on slides Have a review session before exam Bigger projector screen More bonus questions No coding for take-home midterm Template of how problems should be approached Lecture pace is too fast