Global Change Meteorology/Agronomy/Environmental Studies 404/504 Questionnaire - Spring 1995

This survey was conducted by Ying-Shao Hsu as part of her Meteorology 504 research project.

Personal information

Status:
Major field:
Gender:
This course is not required for any curriculum. What is your motivation for taking this course (choose one closest to reason):
I am taking this course:
This course was recommended to me by (choose any that apply):

Opinions relating to an Internet Course

Computing and science literacy

Before taking this course, I had used the following (check all that apply):
I have the prerequisites for this course (four courses in a physical or biological science or engineering).
I feel academically prepared for this course.
The amount of time required for computer use in this course is excessive.
I would prefer the level of science in this course to be:
With the instruction given, I feel I can move comfortably through the course materials and requirements on the Internet.

Information retrieval

I have received sufficient instruction on the use of computers/internet for this course:
Compared to conventional course obligations (such as working problems, writing papers, going to the library), reading and writing information on the Homepage is more stressful.
Compared to conventional course source materials (textbooks, library sources) Internet-based information is more difficult to use in preparing for exams.
It is easier or more convenient to read four pages of text from a book compared to reading the same amount of material on the Internet.
Compared to having lecture materials freely available on the Internet, I would prefer being able to purchase black-and-white copies of lecture transparencies and slides for $15 (e.g., from Kinkos).
The ability of the Internet to preserve color for slides and transparencies is important.
The number of hours per week I spend connected to the Internet through the Global Change Homepage is :
Having Global Change news events available over the internet (as opposed to being available as a class handout) makes the course significantly more interesting.
Having resource information available by clicking on blue underlined text helps me to understand Internet-based material more quickly or in more depth than textbook material.
If I knew I would not be tested on material from remote databases (e.g., NASA, Climate Prediction Center, Planet Earth Homepage, Population Conference Homepage), I likely would not explore them in any depth.
The fact that I frequently have to find and/or use a computer to participate in this course is a source of annoyance to me.

Understanding course material

Compared to conventional course source materials (textbooks, library sources) Internet-based information allows me to learn more quickly.
It is easier for me to learn course material with the conventional method of having all course material in a text book and handouts compared to Internet-based material.
Having required course information from diverse sources on the Internet makes it more difficult to know what is expected of me in this course.
Having required course information from diverse sources on the Internet is good training for real-life applications of this course.
Having animated loops (e.g., long-range forecasts, population growth image loop) helps me learn material better.
Being able to connect to information centers that provide real-time information on global change helps me learn material better.
Compared to direct conversation with the instructor as in the conventional course, discussion by the instructor and off-campus experts over the electronic dialog helps me understand material better.
Having access to class assignments submitted by other students helps me understand material better.

Overall educational objectives

Use of the Internet contributes to my understanding of international issues.
Use of the Internet contributes to my understanding of foreign cultures.
Use of the Internet has helped me develop new computing skills.
Use of the Internet has helped adapt pre-existing computing skills to new applications.
As a future graduate of Iowa State University of Science and Technology, it is important to me to have experience with the latest computer techniques applied to my discipline.

Personal satisfaction

The fact that I am participating in a course that uses the Internet makes me feel good.
I would recommend that other instructors consider using the Internet as a platform for courses.
I will connect to the Global Change Homepage after this course is over.
I will connect to the Global Change Homepage after I graduate from Iowa State University.

Other reactions to use of the Internet for courses

can provide the latest information and new events which otherwise might not be readily accessible.
It is important for educators to realize that it is sometimes very difficult for students to find computers available to use.
As a commuter student, I am not on campus often . It is difficult to find time to use the Internet-- it would be helpful if class time was given to access the Internet.
For me, having the course on Internet wasn't inconvenient because 1 work full time on campus and have my own office and personal computer. Some of the transparencies were not very clear on the Internet, but in general, it was nice to be able to go back and review them before a test. I like being able to connect to important organizations world-wide, but sometimes it is hard to find the right one - or to know how to get to the one I want. I like being on the Info Super-Highway. It's opened a lot of doors to me.
While the Internet provide a lot of information. I find it a nuisance to make time for the computer- especially since I don't have one at home.
The course should have been held at least 1/4 time in a computer lab - to teach the various aspect of the net and to increase class information on the net
I feel often intimidated by having to enter dialog onto the net. I feel as though I am not as knowledgeable in the field, and that my opinions may not necessarily be accurate or correct.
The combination of other class assignments and obligations with work make finding time to divide to the Internet extremely difficult-- I feel I am suffering in 404 because of this.
Very S-L-O-W system/ speed it up, especially for images. I use it about 8:00 A.M. finding material in text is much faster and can carry it with you.
I believe that a combination of both handouts and the Internet would be much more convenient for students.
This course has so many topics of interest that use of the Internet is essential to keep up-to-date on recent events. I am unsure how this format would contribute to other classes.
I would recommend that the course be expand to include another hour and credit due to the large amount of questions we have about the Internet, and to facilitate more discussion.
Summary:
To find computers available to use is difficult sometimes.
Part of class time should be given to access the Internet and teach how to access various aspects of databases or add credits or hours for this course to solve our questions in use of the Internet and spend more time in discussion with Internet.
Having to enter dialog onto the net is intimidated because I afraid that I can not deliver correct knowledge.
The Internet is so slow that I spend much time to wait.
Sometimes, it is hard to find organizations world-wide that I really want, but it 's opened a lot doors to me.
The combination of other class assignments and obligations with work make finding time to divide to the Internet extremely difficult.
Combining handouts and Internet would be more convenient for students.