2001-2006 General
* We were forced to review stuff that we did not learn before (all years). * Class reestablishes and pulls knowledge from prior classes (all years) * Instructor availability is very good (all years) * The environment is very challenging. Class forces me to be very independent (all years). * Very relaxing atmosphere, fare pressure P=F(Knowledge)/A(My brain) (2002) * Biweekly meetings are a plus! (all) We are keeping them * Work load is too heavy for credit given…(all) I agree. * Textbook is excellent..(2002) We do not have one now * Project too open ended. It is overwhelming. (2000). That is the idea (open endedness). * Class is overwhelming. (2001) * More advice/feedback on projects (2003). You get as much as you ask for * Let us pick up groups (2003). No * Larger Lab (2003). I agree but can't fix this one. * Web page unclear (2003). Fixed. Let me know.. * Teacher is enthusiastic and flexible (2003). * Group presentations are too tense…(2003). ??? * Group meetings. Are you a teacher or a boss? (2003). Both * Class is well organized. All activities are good (2003). * Class promotes cooperative learning (2003). * Class is a challenge and entertaining (2003). * I learned a lot from this class. Keep challenging students and do not let them whine (2004). Some whining is fine * On environmental issues, bring companies to tell how they meet the laws. (2004). * The workload must remain the same until the curriculum is reformed such that students are exposed to many of the challenges they see in this class. * Be much harder on students in the beginning, letting them know exactly what they should expect.(2004). * Some explanation of how to utilize resources -periodicals, libraries, online journals- should be given. (2004). * The biggest thing that I got out of this class was time management (2004). * Maybe introduce risk earlier in the semester. * Even though my performance in other classes suffered because of the heavy work load, I am very glad that my last semester taught me as much as it did. * A refresher on programming language would have been incredibly helpful. * GAMS should be covered very early on. (2004) Done. * More instruction on GAMS (2005) Part of Design I now. * Teach Pro II earlier in junior classes (2005) It's being done. * This class helped me learn a lot and forced me to use some knowledge from almost all of my other classes. For that I thank you, however I have lost a lot of hair during semester and several years of life (2005). * The review sessions before exams were useful (2005) * Performance evaluations are too vague (2005). They have been re-designed. * Class was crap (2005). * In this class the same objective could be accomplished with less intimidation. (2005). * Instructor changes his mind daily confusing the students, (2005). * I was not taught anything, really, we were just expected miraculously understand GAMS and Pro II, after vary basic introductions. (2005). True. It is part of developing self learning skills. * Class is more demnding than a job, and it should stay this way (2006)
Grading * Perception should not be used as a grading tool (2003).?? * Grading system should be based on average(2003,2004)Done * Grading sucks (2003). It was changed. * Use time log to further assist in peer evaluation (2003). * Grading is biased in the assignments (2004).We investigated * Grading was slanted. Some students were guaranteed A's after spring break (2005) ??? * Two persons group were judged on same level as 4 persons groups. Total crap. (2005) ???
Pro II * More Pro II work!! (all years) * Teach more computer simulations in previous classes.(all)
Group Membership * Balance groups better. (all) * Make sure you do not show preferences for certain students (2002). * Let us pick our own groups (2004)
Lectures * Shorter classes. Split in two (2001-2002-2003) * I like the one day per week format. (2000/2001). * Lectures are clear (2001-2002-2003) * Lectures could be improved. Give handouts or lecture and do small exercises during class. (2002) * Dr. B. tends to talk about irrelevant things (2001)Sometimes * Lectures need to be slower…(2001) You set the pace. * Too much repetition of material in class (2001) Sorry.. It is meant for those that feel they need it. Be patient. * Good lectures!!(all) * More class. Less distractions…(2001/2003) Stop me.. * More lecture time..(2002) * Lectures are too long.(all) * I do not like how you “pick” people for questions…It makes me uncomfortable..(2001) We do it to train you. In "real" life, this is common. * It is hard to ask questions in class because everybody wants to leave… (2003) Ignore them or come to my office. * Classes are kept as short as possible (2003). * Administrative stuff upfront the lecture too lengthy…(2003) * Lectures not well organized (2003)
Homework * Homework forces you to learn the material (all years) * Too many homework..(2001-2002-2003) We have less now * Shorter homework.(2001-2002-2003) We have less now * No homework. Only project (2002) No. * Re-doing assignments is good (2001) * Homework is reasonable and is a good practice (2002) * Discuss Hwk in class more (2003) We discuss individually. * We are put in real life situations. A plus! (2003) * Homework makes you think of practical things (2003) * Homework: Although long they reinforce concepts (2003) * Project meetings and assignment due dates in different week * Give more open ended projects as assignments (2004). * There was too much redundancy in the assignments (2004)? * Post all the assignments at least two weeks early, if not at the beginning of the semester (2004) Done * Work invested versus lessons learned in regards to needs to be reconsidered (2004) Done * Lower the amount of quizzes or homeworks. (2004) Done * Put the homeworks that cover the "new" material earlier in the semester. (2004) Done * Give more time for the assignments; maybe five assignments(2004). Done. We have 2 Hwks now. * More constructive criticism should be given (2004) * Homework assignments were far too long (2004) * Maybe less assignments to concentrate more on the project.(2004) Done * Give all Assignments before spring break. (2004) Done * Homework too long (2005) Easily solvable. Give more time, or... split in two. * Move Hwk 2 to after spring break (2005) Can't do it. It contains useful material for projects.. * More homework and less tests. (2005) :) * I liked that the Hwk and tests are over before Spring break (2005) :) * Early reminders to start the HW would help students understand how much time the assignments will take. (2005) :) * I think it is fantastic that you arranged the schedule so that all homework was due before spring break. (2005)
Quizzes * Quizzes. Too many…(2001-2002-2003). We have less now. * No quizzes.(2002) :) * Quizzes are good to refresh material.(2003) * Review quizzes before taking them…(2003-2004). No * Give us a 10-15 minutes review before every quiz. (2004). No * Need to know the value of each quiz and assignment beforehand.(2004) Made more clear in syllabus. * Lower the amount of quizzes or homeworks(2004) Done. * Quizzes are not as helpful as people should have already learned the things which were reviewed (2004). * I benefited from the quizzes and found that it was a nice refresher for past material (2004). * Make quizes at the same difficulty level (2005) * I honestly liked having the quizzes over the subjects that we'd studied before. It helped a lot for the FE exam (2005)
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2001-2006
Project * Need more specific instructions (2001/2002) ??? * Objectives should be stated more clearly (2001)I hope they are now. * Need to have better mechanisms to handle severe problems in groups (2003) I do my best. * New Projects, real world related are needed (2003) They are. * Smaller project groups…(2003) They are now. * Other major’s capstone class are project only!!!(2003). * Projects should be more technical. Too much marketing and economics (2004). No. There are good reasons for this. I definitely liked the emphasis that the class placed on the project (2004) * It seemed like you would tell us to do one thing and we would do it and then you would be like why the hell did you do that. It was amusing at time though frustrating, but I know that's the beauty of research * Even when I am wrong my hard work is noted and appreciated (2003).
* I don't have a problem with your style: the "high expectations",
the
"straight-forwardness", I actually appreciate it, ... but
positive
feedback, when applicable, * I have never believed in the "Break people down to build them up" theory of things. I prefer positive motivation (2004). This is not what I do, but I can see how somebody can feel this way. * My hard work could have been manifested itself better with tasks that were more suited to skills that I already had. (Do not teach new tools or procedures) (2004). I will never do it. * When I requested the same project as people who I can work with, I was disappointed to find out that my request had not been granted. "(2004). * Give underperformers their own group in the second half (2005) * Due date first project should be earlier (2005). * Do not add members to group without consulting them first (2005). I am against this... * Two persons groups is a bad idea , Three is better (2005). Ooops. We are trying 2 persons now... !! * I am an engineer, and, while financial planning is important, engineering work is probably more so (2005). We provide balanced activities. The class is about everything. * Project requirements should vary with group size (2005). I am totally against this. * Multiple deadlines/ projects take away from some of the learning. This pushes students to take short cuts, rather than really trying to understand the work they are doing. Personally, I would have a better sense of accomplishment about better work instead of more work. (2005). This is precisely the training we intend to give. * I didn't like the breaking up of groups half way through . It was unfair to all (2005). It is also unfair to leave students stranded in unfair situations. * If a group is dissolved, they should all be made into a new group. Members of previously dissolved groups should not be added onto (other) groups (2005). This is a tough one. I will look into it. * Changing the group members on the second part of the semester is a good idea (2005). This student benefited from it. * Some groups (bio) had unfair advantage because the instructor does not know bio (2005). Not an expert, but he knows enough to run this class! * Projects are great preparatory tools (2005). * Too much destructive criticism (2005). * Extremely challenging, but I learned more than in other courses (2005).
Project Presentations * Faculty are disrespectful by being late or leave early (2002) * Students are humiliated and interrupted (2002). This is better handled now, although you should expect to be interrupted. I can't control your feelings, but I do not think anybody has been humiliated.
Formal complaints * Workload infringes in performance in other classes.(2004). * No honest feedback is possible because of fear of reprisal (journals and blackboard surveys are not anonymous). (2004). * Grading is subjective. (2004). Grading has changed substantially in 2005 to a full point-based system.
2007 General * Something needs to be done about the economics side of the projects. When we were in Design I, Peters, Timmerhaus and West was almost like the Bible. Now, we get to Capstone and you tell us that Peters and Timmerhaus is not a great reference. * Class helps build confidence in technical abilities, interpersonal and communication skills. * This class taught me to endure and try to learn even when I found the circumstances disagreeable * Instructor is intimidating at times, but this helped.
Grading * Students are well aware where they stand at all times
Homework * Break it into smaller ones. * Keep as is (two homeworks) Thus, no action taken * Long, hard but instructive. Keep as is. * Excelllent that they are done by Spring Break. * HWk is challenging. If the intention is to teach by challenging, keep as is. Otherwise make it more clear. No action taken.
Quizzes * Beneficial to review prior classes. * Excelllent that they are done by Spring Break.
Project * Even if something good is presented the instructor pushes for additional improvements. This was actually said in a positive context. Yes, I teach excellence!!! * Do not break groups at midterm. Easy to say. I try to minimize group breakage, but sometimes there are factors that force it. * Presentations should be done one week earlier. Difficult to arrange. Spring break slows everybody down and it is hard to get people going. * Don't change anything its perfect the way it is, but that’s because you teach it. Thanks!!! 2008-2009 General * Too many emails!!!Six a day is entirely too much... No comment!! Wait until you get a job...
Grading * Some dissapointments. Ce la vie! * Peer ratings should be incorporated into the final decision. It is!!!
Homework * The worst part. Too much. Some changes have been made. More changes in 2010!! * They are OK- but the dates conflict with projects. Worked on this. * Eliminate them . Curriculm reform needs to happen to fix this problem. * Spread them out throughout the semester. I am thinking about it.
Quizzes * Beneficial. No negative opinions.
Project * Many students end up fudging data. We will keep an eye on this ! * Projects end up being very different from the initial description. If I knew the answer, I would have to do them all myself FIRST ! * For the most part TA's are worthless. Will try harder. * Project keeps changing . Wait until you are in your job!!! * Software used should be taught. Disagree. It is time for learning on your own ! * Too much focus on economics. Disagree! * Partner up with industry for projects. We are trying!
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