Results of Post Semester Survey - LTCY 420

Dr. Petty's synthesis of this survey is highlighted in yellow. 

How do you rate your knowledge of literacy instruction after taking this course?

1
Novice: little or no real understanding.

2
In between novice and intermediate: more understanding of the reading and writing process than you began with, but not quite confident in your ability to provide sound instruction

3
Intermediate: some solid understanding and somewhat comfortable with your ability to provide sound literacy instruction

4
In between intermediate and advanced: comfortable with your ability to provide literacy instruction, but not quite as proficient as you would like to be

5
Advanced: very comfortable with your current ability to provide sound literacy instruction.
x   xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxdxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dr. Petty understands that MOST students believe themselves to be at a level 4 or 5 regarding their knowledge of literacy instruction after taking this course. 

1.  Did you have any difficulty using the on-line materials (including the syllabus) for this course? 

Yes No
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The results of this question indicate that overwhelmingly students do not have difficulty using the on-line materials. 

Comments:

There was so much information and stuff that is was overwhelming and cause a lot of confusion. Evertything began to inter-twine.
I understand that Dr. Petty was only trying to be helpful, but there were way too many online resources. I have about 50 emails from Dr. Petty, and I am not going to go searching through them every time I have a question. I just rely on classmates. The syllabus was of no use to me.
I had difficulty sorting through all the material to find what I was looking for. It took a lot of time for me, but in the end it was worth it.
A little overwhelming.

2. How could we have made the syllabus and other on-line materials more user-friendly?   

Comments:

Suggestions from Dr. Petty are in yellow: 

I really do not like having the daily assignments posted on a calendar. For those who do not have access to the internet daily, it makes it hard to stay ahead. For example, when we are to bring things to class or read a particular article, it is better to infer the instruction in class rather to having to check the internet. I do not have access to the internet daily.  Calendars in Block One tend to change throughout the semester based on several circumstances:
  • bad weather causing school closing (or any other reason - like an outbreak of the flu)
  • other events at the school that cause missed teaching time (holidays, school programs/presentations, testing)
  • in ITV classes, lost instruction time due to technology problems requires an adjustment in the calendar
  • student NEED - sometimes you ASK for assignments to be delayed so that you can have more time - calendars are adjusted based on student request

These changes are announced in class as well as followed up with an email AND changed on the on-line calendar.

I think it was fine but maybe needed to be explained more, it took me quite some time to find all of the resources available.
I Can't think of any other way. You include URLs and website information in the syllabus, in e-mail, in the assignments and in instruction.
I found all the materials very easy to use and very helpful. The scavneger hunt at the beginning of the semester was very helpful in navigating the site.
only have one rubric for each assignment. I am not aware that there are multiple rubrics. 
Better explaination of the assignments
There really is no way of making the syllabus and other online materials user friendly, its all there for you step by step.
I had no trouble at all with them.
Have due dates on the syllabus, not so much extra's. Have the extra's on a different site. 
I felt they were fine.
it was fine
I thought it all worked together fine with the syllabus and online materials
getting three calendars organized. If there were any way for all three teachers to get together and have one calnedar for Block that would be AMAZING in helping organize future block 1 students 
Including the assignment calendar in the syllabus at the beginning would be a nice addition.  The calendar is always available - first day of class and thereafter.
I might have used one or two online resources. They were almost pointless. 
not so busy...if some of the online materials were a little neater, then they would have been much more user-friendly. 
I don't know. I felt it was fine.
at first the materials were very unorganized, then they became organized--making things easier to find.
More preparation for the Praxis...much like the review before the final.
I found the online process fine. I did not have any problems with it.
Sometimes I had trouble when the instructions for a particular assignment would have instructions in several different places.
Honestly, I'm not sure. If there was some way to have a Block website that linked all the classes, I think that might have helped.
not so many different links and places to look for stuff on your website
Separate the classes by using different webpages.
Some flashing buttons, or Highlights
In some cases it was hard to find exactly what i was looking for because there were multiple places that information was placed.
No Change!
I thought it was pretty awesome. :)
I think it was fine but maybe needed to be explained more, it took me quite some time to find all of the resources available.
You have to search for a lot of stuff and its sometimes too hard to find. Maybe ABC order for everything??!?

Synthesis:  Some people like having many electronic resources available to them - some do not.  I don't know how to fix that.  I put a large table at the beginning of the syllabus so that students could go straight to ANY assignment or component of this course.  I will put some graphics on the table so that you can identify more quickly with an image as well as a title.  I have an electronic calendar linked on the syllabus (http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/custommenu.html) - build your OWN inclusive calendar for the three block courses.  Just remember that dates may change based on your need to be successful in your courses.

3. What did you find to be the most challenging aspect(s) of this course? 

Nothing was too challenging except for phonics. I really still do not understand the concept.
All the time consuming work.
The Web quest.
The WebQuest, as I have never had to do this type of insturction or web design.
The WebQuest and IRI
I found the webquest to be the most challenging, but also the most productive. I have never considered myself to be very "with it" concerning technology, and I was so proud of myself after completing it. I am confident that I will have my own webpage when I become a teaher. THANKS!
THE WEBPAGE AND WEBQUEST, BUT I LEARNED FROM THEM EXPERIENCE. I THINK THOUGH SINCE THERE IS NOT A COMPUTER CLASS THAT WE LEARN HOW DO WHAT IS REQUIRED, I THINK MOR THEN JUST 1 OR 2 HOURS 1 DAY IS NOT ENOUGH FOR SOME PEOPLE TO LEARN.
web-quest
webquest
webquest and the IRI
no doubt hands down the webquest, BUT, there is no way around it. It is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life, and will be of great help. It was the most challenging but it gave the biggest reward!
webquest
I feel like I learned a lot from this course and I enjoyed it. The hardest assignment for me was the IRI. Not having enough time in the classroom to thoroughly teach all the lessons was a hinderance (although unavoidable) also.
Sorting everything out and knowing what goes where and for who.
webquest
webquest because it was a new experience for me.
WebQuest and Web design
i thought the webquest and website building was one of the most valuable learning experiences I will take away from this class. Without the cooperation of Dr. Petty and her ongoing help, this project would not have been a success. It is something we should all learn in this fast growing world of technology. I feel like this will be very useful in all aspects of the rest of my college and professional experiences.
Time-management, but once conquered as a personal goal, everything went smoothly for me!
webquest
The WebQuest my most challenging aspect. I cannot even imagine the next semesters without the template as a reference. I learned SO much from this experience, and will take that knowledge with me through out my teaching career, I'm sure.
That one certain teacher expected us to fly through everything with ease and quickness. When we were not done with everything by the end of the semester, she became very impatient and sort of mean. Not only do we have two other classes in block 1, but we have other classes that we have to take outside of block 1. It is really hard to find the motivation to do well when all you are trying to do is survive.
keeping to a schedule and still turning in quality work. The amount of work is okay, but if you expect quality work...you need to extend some deadlines so that a schedule can be more closely followed.
Managing my time. I work 40 hours a week, have a family, and got just a little stressed, but it all worked out.
The WebQuest and IRI
the webquest
keeping the material at the proper grade ability level for the students
Staying on top of all the activities. I would not omit any of them because they were all informational and important.
The website!
Getting organized.
webquest
IRI
I thoroughly enjoyed this entire course. I felt challenged throughout the semester. Every task was a learning experience for me.
The web quest and learning how to design web pages. It was very frustrating for me as I knew little about computer design before. I do appreciate the knowledge that I aquired through the course.
webquest
The webquest, but it is also the most useful.
The webquest... although once you could get the hang of it and get used to using the software, it wasn't too bad.
The webquest by far was the most challengeing.
The Webquest was definatly the most time consuming, but I feel it is very important. I guess I would say it was the most challenging aspect, but it definatly felt great to have it completed.
Finding time. I am involved in church, work, and school. There are a lot of assignments (I'm not complaining. I learned a lot from each of them.), I found myself having to get up early to finish assignments. That was the most difficult aspect for me.
The Web quest.
Webquest and the final exam

Synthesis:  The WebQuest is the most challenging ... and the most rewarding ... and the most learning.  Phonics instruction will be bumped up for future classes.  TIME is never a teacher's friend - not my friend, not your friend.  I complain about TIME as much as you do.  There is nothing we can do but try to get organized, use what time we have wisely, and be SMART in the way we approach tasks. 

4. Please rate the course assignments based on VALUE to you:  (1 = lowest, 4 = highest)                

  1 2 3 4
Experiences in Teaching Reading (Four Blocks and Phonics)       xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Administering and Interpreting an Informal Reading Inventory  xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Analytic Spelling Inventory and Word Sort (Words Their Way)   xxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Electronic Literature-Based Instruction    x xx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Read Alouds xx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Book Club xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
Service Learning xxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
         

Synthesis:  The Experiences in Teaching Reading (DRTA, working with words, self-selected reading, writing, and phonics) instruction, the Electronic Lit-Based Instruction (WebQuest), the read alouds, and the service learning scored highest as the most valuable assignments.  Most students also saw value (3 or 4 level) in the IRI and the ASI.  I am dropping the book club for this semester.  I do believe that it is a worthwhile learning experience, but I also agree that it is not enjoyable to read and participate in book club discussions if you have too many assignments pressing on you.  Instead, we will have 5 unannounced quizzes based on assigned readings throughout the semester.  This will also address the lack of attention paid to the texts which connect directly to the content of this course and to the assigned tasks.

Other comments related to the assignments and their value to you:

I didn't think the web-quest should have counted more then the final.
I absolutely loved the read alouds. This was "MY" time with the students. My time to share with them and interact with them all in a more informal setting. They were learning without knowing it. This was just a personal time for me with the students and I loved the interaction.
No teachers that I know of use an IRI or an ASI. That was just a grade that ended up hurting me. I will probably never use them once I become a teacher.
I learned more from the WebQuest and the experiences in teaching reading than I did anything else by far.
The class was hard, but sometimes to learn something you just have to get out there and do it!
I learned soooooo much from the Electronic Literature Based Instruction. I learned very valuable information that will help through the rest of my career. If not for this class, I probably would have never learned how to do this. Thanks A BUNCH!
I do not feel that there is enough time to have a book club. Many students are cramed with assignments.
I loved the WebQuest. I know that most were very discouraged about the WebQuest however, for me, the techincal aspect came easily. Therefore, I enojyed the creative aspect.
 

5. Did you have any problems with your field-work? 

Yes No
xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The classroom teacher did not seem to want me there. It seemed like it was much like pulling teeth to get her to let me complete my assignments with the class.

I really enjoyed my teacher, but there was a problem with her being absent alot and this proved to be a problem for me

The class that I was placed in had a lot of discipline problems. It took me half of the semester to learn to adjust to the different learning styles. At first, I was so overwhelmed. I thought I couldn't teach. However, once I learned different aspects of teaching, my life became much easier. Some of the assignments weren't completed in the way that I would have liked to see them done.

I just feel like the school I was placed in was very limited and there were other schools in the area that could have offered a better learning experience for us.

Synthesis:  Problems with field placements were isolated.  If you experience a problem, please let one of your Block One teachers know immediately and we will try to resolve the problem.

6.  How much total time/week (in hours) did you spend on this course?   

<5 5-10 11-15 16-20 >20
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7.  How much online time/week (in hours) did you spend on this course?   

<5 5-10 11-15 16-20 >20
xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx
         

8.  How do the time estimates above compare relative to the other courses you have taken?  

a lot more the same more less
xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x
       

Synthesis:  We have a national crisis in reading, particularly reading comprehension.  Administrators MUST hire proficient reading teachers - ALL teachers are "reading" teachers.  To enter this profession you must pass the PRAXIS 2 (about 70% is based on the content of LTCY 320 and LTCY 420).  To GET a teaching job you must be able to teach children to read and to improve their literacy skills and strategies.  To KEEP a teaching job you must be able to teach children to read and to improve their literacy skills and strategies.  That being said, this course requires a lot of work for a reason - actually MANY reasons:  every child you will ever teach. 

9.  How would you describe your content knowledge about reading and writing process and literacy instruction in general?  

average significant great
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx
     

10.  What is your opinion of the text(s) used in this course? 
 

I loved Yopp and Yopp. It is a wonderful resource tool. Also, the Burns and Roe is very useful.
I think the Yopp and Yopp, Words thier Way, and IRI books were great. The Valmont, I do not think was very beneficial for the money spent.
yopp and yopp is very useful
All the textbooks were very helpful and I kept all of them for future teacher resources.
yopp and yopp was useful, but i used words their way maybe once, I never found it useful to open up the technology text, iri was useful only for the assignment- Never needed the 320 text except for the final
I liked the YOPP AND YOPP text.
All of them were important and when taught showed each of us a lesson in some way.
Very applicable
some books were helpful...some were not
I found all of them useful. I plan on keeping them all to use when I start teaching.
Texts were very helpful.
Good books. Weren't used as much as in other classes.
Very helpful, but you defineitely have to do the readings!
I thought that they were all user friendly and helpful to extend the knowledge needed to complete each assignment.
I believe that Working With Words is a keeper. Valmont wasn't as useful.
I usde the Yopp and Yopp book quite often.
I never used them. The only one I thought was any good was Yopp & Yopp.
Wonderful...I couldn't have survived without them especially since we lost so much class time.
Yopp and Yopp and Valmont were good resources that I kept for my own teaching references. The IRI book will also be useful in teaching.
they are a valuable tool
Loved Yopp and Yopp
They are great resources and I know that I will use them again.
I kept my books and all the things I printed off the internet to use later.
I was very satisfied. I think they were all great resources I will be able to use in the future.
Very informative
Yopp & Yopp is a very useful tool that I will take with me for many years to come.
too many to keep up with. One or two that combines the information would be better.
very helpful
very useful
Valmont was very helpful...no complaints that I can think of!
The text used in course is very helpful.
I think they were all relevant and very useful for the course and for teaching in the future.
I feel that some of the books were a waste of money. I did not look at some of them.
I loved them.
I think the Yopp and Yopp, Words thier Way, and IRI books were great. The Valmont, I do not think was very beneficial for the money spent.
Very good!

Synthesis:  Most students value Yopp and Yopp.  The students who opened the other books appreciated them as well. If you don't actually USE Valmont, you will not find it helpful (make sense?).  You are at a level in your educational career where you should not have to be walked through every page in a text to learn from it.  The students who were MOST successful in this course used the textbooks. 

11.  Were your expectations for this course met?

Upon entering this course, I felt that I was going to learn the tools necessary to teach reading and pass the Praxis. I feel okay but definatly not ready.
Yes, I learned a lot about literacy instruction.
Yes and exceeded.
most definitely
Yes, they were exceeded. I am a lover of books and literacy and I am considering getting my Masters degree in Literacy.
yes and more so
yes, I was really impressed with this course
Beyond what I had expected! I have come out of the course with a greater appreciation for many new things.
Absolutely!
I believe I met my expectations for literacy 320, but as far as 420 I believe I could have learned more. I blame the lack of time in the classroom for that.
I really enjoyed it, and I learnt alot from this course
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
They were met and exceeded, especially with the WebQuest to help add a technology aspect to my experience with teaching. I think methods learned in this class are going to be beneficial to my teaching knowledge in the future.
Yes
Not really sure if I had any.
I feel as if I learned quite a bit about literacy instruction, but most of it came from actually teaching, not doing the other assignments such as the IRI, the ASI and the webquest.
Yes
Far beyond. My only regret is that I didn't have more time to absorb and further study the material as I would liked to have.
Yes and then some
Yes
Yes
They were more than met, I feel I was exposed to a very large amount of literacy experiences.
Absolutely.
Yes!
Yes
Yes. I really enjoyed the course. It was my favorite out of my block I experience. I enjoyed having you as an instructor and I appreciate the help you gave me.
Yes
Yes, I learned many skills and strategies in reading that are proven, and I got a chance to try them out myself in the classroom.
Yes
Somewhat, I felt the need for more phonics instruction. Many of us did not learn phonics in school, it is foreign to us.
Yes, it was a wonderful course and you instructed it well.
Yes.
Yes
Yes, I learned a lot about literacy instruction.
YES! I just think it was hard getting an explanation of an assignment so early in comparison to when we actually taught it.

Synthesis:  These comments seem to underscore a basis believe that I hold:  You only get out what you put in.  If you want to sit back and let this course wash over you, you will gain very little.  If you dig, you will uncover some marvelous talents that you may not know you have.  If you have never seen your BEST work, I will help you find it.  However, if you use your energy to focus on all the obstacles and negatives, you will leave the course exactly as you entered - only tireder (yes, i know that is not a word). 

12.  How could we improve on the way students are involved in service learning/community involvement/ other engagement activities?

I rather enjoyed service learning-no changes needed.
I think the opportunities were very flexible with my work schedule and I apprciated that.
A rubric, a formal time sheet and how to obtain entery into some of the hard to find service
have a certain number of hours required
I think more direct instructions on what is required for the reflection would be more helpful.
be more specific. Give examples for them to have to pick from, that way you know they are doing what you want. The only way they could do something differentis to talk to you. Set up a page on your site showing what is required and what they are to learn from the experience.
require an hour or more a week of volunteering.....set a minimum or people aren't sure of what is expected.
Have students get more involved with adult learners
There really is no way to make someone get involved. I know that it is what should be done, but if someone's heart is not into what they are doing, they are just going to do an OK job and move on. I strongly believe that everyone should get involved with their community because they don't realize how much is going on in the lives of others around them and going into the education major students need to be aware of their surroundings and their students. But, we do not live in a perfect world and not everyone that has decided on this major is going into it for the right reasons. Helping others should be something that you want to do to better the life or lives of people that are in need that can gain from your strengths. You need to ask your students to do things for others that they would have done to them. Have them place thereselves in the situtations of others. Ask them to get involved in something that will brighten someone elses life but shine their strength.
Provide a rubric of what you want in the write up.
More specific options on what we can and cannot due in the community.
Give more guidelines regarding what it can be. There was some misunderstanding on what could be used for the project.
have a better set of predetermined activities and give a more detailed describtion of what exactlly needes to be done and written up.
More cases like Danny that can be inspirational and rewarding, not just fall festivals, etc. I feel I would have gained more had I volunteered for something like the people on campus who got to work with Danny.
For the off sites, it would be good to already have established nursing homes, shelters, etc. for students to choose from to ensure proper learning service projects are used.
Do not set limitations on what they do. Some people have better access to Girl Scouts etc. while others do not. I think students will be more involved if it is something they pick themselves.
I thought this aspect of it was alright. Although it is extremely hard to find time to volunteer when all our time is spent doing homework. Not to mention some of do have families and lives outside of school.
Pass out possibilities on a piece of paper with addresses, phone numbers, and contact names. It would not only make future block one students more comfortable to get out there and volunteer but it would also be a great reference for them to use in their classrooms someday whenever they want elementary students to volunteer. This could get started by asking past block one students to e-mail the information from where they have volunteered before. I am sure they would be willing to respond. Once they do get involved...take an interest in what they are doing DURING
I am an older student (40) and I have done my share of volunteering and community service my whole life. I'm not sure the younger students see the "need" to become active volunteers in their community. My services is now limited because I work and go to school. I would suggest only offering several options for community service. Some people's ideas of community service do not seem to be what the rest of us think. To get the true "good feeling" of giving, you need to pick a worthwhile project. Danny was an excellent choice. Because I am at a distant site, I didn't get to particpate there, but would have it i had been in BG. That is true community service. I had tears when I read Dr. Petty's Christmas Story about Danny. Dr. Petty should get a huge blessing for all she has done for Danny, as well as the others who assist him.
None. I felt the community involvement was a necessary element and not a problem.
be a bit more specific on the webpage
I thought that this was done very well with the offering to allow us to help Danny.
Yes I think it needs to be more structured since there are so many others things that block 1 students have to do, but I think it is necessary.
I didn't have any problems with my community service.
I think it would be nice if the people who were being helped from our service/involvement could have an opportunity to express how they were helped (or not) from us. Maybe some sort of survey for them to fill out. Then, the block students would be able to get a better understanding of the good that comes from it.
I felt like some of the things peopel did were not community projects, but family projects. I think this should be monitored more closely. Community service is a great way to introduce prospective teachers to the work they are about to embark on.
Specify where students can volunteer.  Also, some students didn't have to do anything besides being a girlscout troup leader and that counted as community involvement.  I think students should have to volunteer their hours by doing something than they are already doing or why even have the community service project. 
The Community Engagement could be a classroom event, instead of individual.
I think most everybody that I know of was more involved than what was expected...mostly because we were introduced to Danny. He was inspiration for all to get out there and help.
Have the students relate the community involvement with the Block classes more.
There's not much more I can think of other than maybe offer more choices (there were many choices, though). One thing is maybe allowing teaching Sunday school as an option. I have taught for 2 years and it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare a lesson. But it is also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Children learn so much during Sunday school and I think it was be a nice change to add it to the list of options.
You need to be more specific in what you want the student to do. Each teacher had a different thought and I had not a clue as what to do or how long I need to do the learning service project.
I think setting up services for different sites. For example, there isn't a lot to choose from at some of the sites. So, the sites could band together and do a project that would suffice for hours/credits.

I.E. Community can drive, coat drive, creating baskets for the bed-ridden, etc...
I think the opportunities were very flexible with my work schedule and I apprciated that.
Give a list of things they can do and tell them that is their only options, I think you gave people the impression that this was a thing they could just choose any old thing to do. Mine was meaningful, and the things you give as options should be. I also think a signed paper of where you did your work and what you did should be submitted
Synthesis:  These suggestions and comments were fabulous!!  I LOVE the idea of whole sites adopting a service project.  I am also trying to connect with the Adult Learning Centers in Etown, Oboro, and Glasgow to initiate some sort of tutoring calendar whereby Block One students can assist adult literacy learners in their area. 

01/09/2005 12:34:54 -0600  Hit Counter