STEM-TC COSC Survey

Dear Participant,

My name is Cody Sandifer and I am an associate professor of science education in the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences at Towson University. The faculty in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Teaching Community (STEM-TC) project will be collecting data to assess how our course improvement efforts are impacting student attitudes toward course content and toward STEM teaching and learning.

Participation in this study is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you will be asked only to take pre/post attitude surveys. You will be assigned an anonymous ID number for the surveys; your name will not be collected.

You may discontinue your participation in the project’s research activities at any time. Your decision whether or not to participate in this research or to withdraw from this research at any time will in no way affect your grade or status in this course.

If you do choose to participate in this research study, your participation will be anonymous. When project data are presented (at meetings, in journals, and so forth), no one will be able to identify you.

If you have any questions about the project, you may contact me at (410) 704-4989 or the Chairperson of Towson University's Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Participants, Dr. Patricia M. Alt, at (410) 704-2236.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cody Sandifer
Associate Professor of Science Education
Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences
Towson University

As this survey will study how your understanding of computer security issues changes from the beginning of the semester to the end of the semester, we will need you to select a secret code that you will enter each time you take this survey. In order to keep your responses anonymous, this code should be not be known to any of the teaching staff. To find your security code, use the following procedure:

1. Multiply the day of your birth by 10. Thus, if you were born on the 13th, use 130.

2. Add that number to the last 3 digits of your phone number. Thus, if your phone number is 555 1212, and you were born on the 30th, you would have 212+130=342

3. If the sum is more than 1000, subtract 1000 from it. For example, if your sum was 1192, subtract 1000 to get 192

4. The resulting number is your code number

1. Please enter your unique ID #

Below are a number of statements that may or may not describe your beliefs about learning in computer science. You are asked to rate each statement by selecting whether you Strongly Agree, Agree, are Neutral, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree. If you have no strong opinion, choose neutral.

2. I like computer science Required Question

3. This class increased my enthusiasm for computer science Required Question

4. Knowledge in computer science consists of many disconnected topics Required Question

5. Understanding computer science basically means being able to recall information you’ve read or heard Required Question

6. The major factor that determined my success in this course was my ability to memorize all the information I need to know Required Question

7.

If computer science teachers gave really clear lectures, then most good students could learn computer science without lots of extra effort.

8.

My learning improves when I have a chance to explore computer science topics on my own through assigned readings, Internet research and/or laboratory activities, rather than hearing everything from the professor.

9.

To develop a better understanding of computer science, I needed to reflect deeply on the information in this course.

10.

Writing about what I’m learning helps me identify the connections between distinct pieces of information and develop a better understanding of a concept

11.

When it comes to learning computer science, most students either learn things quickly, or not at all

12.

My learning improves when I discuss the material with other students in the class

13.

Small group activity should be a regular part of the computer science classroom

14.

Whole class discussions should be a regular part of the computer science classroom

15.

It is possible to pass this course (get a “C” or better) without understanding the material very well

16.

When I learn computer science, I can understand the material better if I relate it to my own ideas and experiences

17.

Someone who doesn’t have high natural ability can develop a good understanding of the material even in a hard computer science class.

18. In my view, the main benefit of taking this course is to Required Question

	satisfy a major requirement
	acquire knowledge of computer science facts and vocabulary
	develop critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills
	network with other students in my chosen major
	build a solid foundation in computer science in preparation for more advanced courses

19. I expect to receive the following grade in this course Required Question

The remaining questions pertain to your interactions with undergraduate or graduate helpers (learning assistants – LA’s) as part of your course experiences.

20. I had an LA working in my: Required Question

	Lecture
	Lab
	Both Lecture and Lab

21. I interacted with LA(s) in lecture and/or in lab Required Question

	Not at all
	1-2 times
	3-4 times
	5 or more times

22. I interacted with learning assistants outside of class (e.g., tutoring, test help sessions) Required Question

	Not at all
	1-2 times
	3-4 times
	5 or more times

For each statement below, please indicate whether you Strongly Agree, Agree, are Neutral, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree with that statement. If you have no strong opinion, choose neutral.

23. My interactions with the learning assistants (either inside or outside of class) helped me think
about the course material in new ways.

Required Question

24. My interactions with the learning assistants (either inside or outside of class) improved my
understanding of the course material.

Required Question

25.

My interactions with the learning assistants (either inside or outside of class) helped me get a better grade on one or more of the course exams.

26. My interactions with the learning assistants (either inside or outside of class) motivated me to come to class more often. Required Question