Student comments from EPID600
Fall 2009
|
______________________________
|
“I definitely value group work and how it can contribute to
everyone's learning, especially in this type of class, yet
I feel that the group dynamics could have been structured more
from the onset. It would have been nice if the groups could
have been encouraged to establish group agreements and discuss
how they would like to proceed with tackling the case study
questions. Some sort of structured activity prior to beginning
our group work, could have alleviated some of the issues that
inevitably unfolded during the group process. There is already
so much work to accomplish in a short period that it would
have been nice to take a preventative approach to our group
work, by foreseeing any issues and establish agreed upon methods
to deal with those issues if they were to occur. Also, all
students could definitely benefit from learning how to structurally
work in a group (everyone didn't come to this class knowing
how to function in a large group). These are all factors to
consider.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/26)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Also, because I missed one day, I am not sure if anyone else
missed that day. Thanks!”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Heidi is doing a great Job. However, sometimes, she's too in
hurry during her explanation. The professor is very committed
and outstanding.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“The website is very hard to navigate. Class lectures are good,
but sometimes I wish they would go into a little more detail
so I felt better prepared to answer the very specific case
study questions. I like the clarification I get in the recitation
presentation and hearing the input from my group on case study
questions. In general, though, I feel that the groups are too
large to work effectively.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Heidi is doing a fabulous job so far at teaching us what we
need to know and not bogging down the material with too many
cumbersome details. I like how Heidi uses specific examples
and problems in her powerpoints to teach lessons. Dr. Schoenbach
is very intelligent and has a lot to tell us in class. In reality,
though, it may be a little too much. He almost never ends class
on time and has to rush through slides without students actually
having time to "soak" up the information. Dr. Harmon cut out
a lot of Dr. Schoenbach's slides when she gave the lecture
and I thought I learned so much more when I wasn't weighed
down by a multitude of studies, equations, and verbatim lecture
notes.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/23)
|
|
______________________________
|
“The lectures at the beginning of recitation are very helpful
to sum up the lecture and smooth out any confusions I had.
I really enjoy this class- I think it's my favorite class this
semester! but the case studies are very time consuming and
I end up spending much more time on them than going over the
slides or doing the reading in the book.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Thank you, Heidi, for you brief presentatations at the beginning
of our group sessions. They are very helpful to me in simplifying
some of the more complex equations and topics in the course.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I find the class to be extremely interesting. The TAs and Dr.
Schoenbach are enthusiastic about the material, which makes
learning exciting and more enjoyable!”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/23)
|
|
______________________________
|
“We have broken up into the same groups most weeks so while
I know the faces and contributions of the other members I do
not know there name. Many of them were not searchable on Facebook,
and a lack of a face is a reason I am lacking in the reasoning
for a lot of the answers I gave but I have no issue with the
work any of the other team members has contributed.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I think everyone is doing a wonderful job being prepared, involved
in discussion, and listening to others. We have all been trying
our hardest and I haven't noticed anyone slacking or falling
behind. I gave every 100% and above for this reason!”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Our group has been great so far. I think we all work well together
and we were very quick to establish an effective and efficient
system through which to complete the critical thinking assignments.
I think we have all helped each other understand the material
better and I hope we will continue to work so well together.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Great class! I am learning a lot and looking forward to much
more!”
|
|
Pranay,
BSPH student,
HPM,
TA: Nikhil
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/26)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Epidemiology is harder than I thought it would be. The overlapping
definitions are confusing. I get stuck on little details in
the case studies and it is a bit frustrating, but I have a
great study group to work with and a wonderful and efficient
classroom group. Vic's lectures are entertaining and funny,
as well as, educational. I also appreciate Nikhil's mini-lectures.
Nikhil is easy to talk to and helpful in his explanations.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/23)
|
|
______________________________
|
“My group is working really well so far.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Though there is a lot of reading required for this course, it
is very interesting and practical. It's been full of insight
for me so far.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/26)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Some of the questions on the case study are worded in a way
that is confusing and hard to interpret. I often spend a considerable
amount of time trying to understand what the question is asking
for. After understanding the question, I am then able to try
and answer the question. I would recommend/suggest revising
some of the questions and how they are worded. Also, the Blackboard
site for Epid 600 a bit confusing. For instance, it took me
a while to find where the syllabus with due dates was, as it
is not under the syllabus section of the site.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Classroom course,
2009/09/26)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I think it is hard to grade those people who are doing a great
job, but not at the same level as maybe one or two of the group.
It was easy to pick out those who are not involved at all,
but I think those in the middle really are doing more than
is required of them, but just are not the same as those of
us who are a bit more obsessed with the group work. I tried
to fairly assess the whole group, but found it a bit difficult.
I think the biggest issue we face other than people not contributing
at all is people contributing really late or just posting responses
that make it obvious they have not read the 10 prior posts.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I like the overall format, took me a week or two to get used
to the online format and sometimes the deadlines have kept
me up a bit late, but overall love the course so far. As a
clinician, I believe we need to develop skills to analyze the
literature more critically and I believe I already have a better
concept of epidemiologic dtudies. Thanks! PS I dont see feedback
for Jessica Rinksy here, or for Elizabeth Yanik.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/28)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I've enjoyed the group work this year.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/27)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Excellent so far, enjoying epidemiology tremendously. I made
the right choice to take this course.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/26)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Excellent, challenging, but fair course. Thanks, Jessica and
Vic, for thought-provoking comments and excellent communication.”
|
|
Jeffrey,
MPH student,
PUBX,
TA: Jessica
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“This course is stretching me; am VERY glad, as a full-time
employee, that this is the only course I'm taking. Love the
problem-solving and Vic's intro/exit slides (my 10-year old
son is also now hooked on these quirky entries; he can hardly
wait for each week's iteration.) Have been really impressed
with Jessica's responsiveness and attentiveness to both group
and individual work. Thanks!”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/23)
|
|
______________________________
|
“The Friday deadline for submission of extra-credit (**) questions
is tough for those of us who work M-F, especially since the
previous case study forum doesn't end until Thursdays. Saturday
deadline would be better, but I guess then maybe it would be
too easy!”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I wish I would have seen the facilitating rating sheet before
I facilitated. Maybe I missed it? The balance between participating
in the discussion during your faciliation week and facilitating
is difficult. I found it hard to keep up with the discussion
boards and synthesize information; and VERY difficult to participate
meaningfully in the discussion. I am being challenged--no doubt--but
the course is intriguing and the case studies are helpful.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/23)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I understand the intent behind it, but I found this evaluation
form to be cumbersome. I didn't feel very comfortable making
all of the assessments that it asked for for each student in
my group after such a short time, and it took an inordinate
amount of my day to fill out, time which I no longer have to
allocate to this week's readings and case study. If for grading
purposes you want students evaluated along each of these aspects,
I would recommend doing this only once, near the end of the
semester. If these earlier results are meant to be shared with
the students so that the can adjust their group participation
before it is too late, then I think a less detailed review
at this stage in the semester would suffice. On a completely
different note, I have really appreciated the Case Studies.
I was a little nervous at the beginning of the semester that
the Case Studies would really just be busy work -- a way to
get us to put in a requisite number of hours per week working
on epidemiology. Instead, the questions have been interesting
and thought provoking, and have certainly helped me to flesh
out some of the more difficult concepts. Thanks.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/21)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Sometimes it is a deterrent to others to contribute to online
discussion when others in the group are posting answers so
early on in the week, especially to those individuals who are
not EMP and have more than one or two courses and other various
commitments.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/26)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Thus far I am really enjoying this course. It is a lot of work
but I feel that the workload is necessary in order to adequately
cover such an intense subject matter. This is my first semester
in the MPH program and I was a bit nervous but I have gotten
over that and am very happy to be in this program and in this
course. The TAs seem very knowledgeable and I am very impressed
with Vic's teaching style and depth of knowledge in epidemiology.
I'd love to be able to make it down to NC for a live EPID600
class some time.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I worry about contributing too much so I will comment on one
problem my group does not have a consensus on and then back
off. But, no one else is commenting or working to reach a consensus
at the end of the discussion except myself and the facilitator
(Akito in the last discussion). In the last discussion I felt
like we were doing all the work and still couldn't get it all
accomplished. I'm struggling to learn this material and am
very frustrated. It is not a good experience. Everything is
taught at level 3 and applied at level 10. It is great when
you can figure it out but if you can't it is a week of hell
dealing with group until the "correct" answers are posted.
At that point, your best effort/answers are counted off. I
dread the test and my husband is even asking when this class
is going to end. I have only had wonderful experiences in my
past courses so this is very frustrating. I know I can do better
and resolve to not have all the right answers but I would actually
like to learn all the material instead of having the right
answers hanging over my head as deductions.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“I am enjoying this course thoroughly! It is challenging and
very informative. My biggest challenge is finding the data
when completing case studies. This will get better with practice.
I find my group very supportive and driven to do well. I couldn't
ask for a better online experience!”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Steve has been an excellent TA and has shown impressive and
constant engagement. The amount of time he has put into explaining
questions to me and to the entire group has been impressive...and
extremely helpful.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/24)
|
|
______________________________
|
“We have a group of really bright people that all make great
contributions.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/27)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Thus far, the course has been very challenging but in a good
way. I have enjoyed the course so far and it ranks as one of
the best I have taken in the program.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/25)
|
|
______________________________
|
“Thanks for making the course truly enjoyable, despite the time
squeeze.”
|
|
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2009/09/28)
|
(An additional 3 comments were received but the students did not
authorize their dissemination.)
2009cd,
compiled 09/28/2009 |