Course Description:
CS 100: Introduction to Computing through Applications
Using personal computers as effective problem solving tools for the present and the future. Effective use of spreadsheets to process, manipulate, and visualize numeric and textual information. Introduction to the Internet, World Wide Web, HTML, and XML. Algorithms underlying the functional components of web search engines and their influence on data access. Using wikis to publish, reshape, and organize data collaboratively.
Dave's Comments:
Teaching Evaluations:
Number of Respondents: 21 / 53 (40%)
| The instructor(s) helped me to understand the course concepts. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | | 8 | 12 | |
| 5% | | | 38% | 57% | |
The instructor(s) created a supportive environment that helped me learn
(Supportive environments enable students to feel included and valued regardless of any aspect of their identity). |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | 1 | 6 | 13 | |
| 5% | | 5% | 29% | 62% | |
| The instructor(s) stimulated my interest in this course. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | 1 | 7 | 12 | |
| 5% | | 5% | 33% | 57% | |
The intended learning outcomes were identified
(Learning outcomes/objectives articulate what students should be able to know, do, and/or value by the end of a course). |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | 2 | 8 | 9 | |
| 5% | | 10% | 40% | 45% | |
| The course activities prepared me for the graded work. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | 3 | 11 | 6 | |
| 5% | | 14% | 52% | 29% | |
| The intended learning outcomes were assessed through my graded work. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | 1 | 13 | 6 | |
| 5% | | 5% | 62% | 29% | |
| The course workload demands were... |
| Very Low | Low | Average | High | Very High | No Basis for Rating |
| 2 | 14 | 4 | 1 | |
| 10% | 67% | 19% | 5% | |
Note: This is a complete list of comments I received, listed alphabetically to avoid bias.
| The most important thing I learned in this course was: |
- a lot of meaningful basic knowledge of CS language.
- Being able to understand basic concepts of computer science through various topics that were shown during the term.
- CSS and HTML
- good
- how information is encrypted
- How to code in HTML and use CSS to style a website
- How to create a website and style it with HTML and CSS.
- how to make a website
- How to use HTML and CSS
- HTML, CSS
- HTML/CSS
- HTML/CSS Basics which I think are really cool
- improving my html + css skills
- Nothing, very boring.
- The basis of technology
- The most important thing I learned in this course was encryption and how security works.
- The most important things I have learned were the HTML/CSS coding and content about the internet (ie, different types of wifi, how data transfers over the internet, cookies, encryption, etc.)
| What helped me to learn in this course was: |
- Asking questions to the TAs, attending labs, completing assignments, and receiving feedback
- Attending each class and lab, reviewing the content after class.
- Attending the labs
- Dave! He was super helpful and created a very comfortable environment overall and kept asking for feedback :)
- good
- Hands-on assignments/practice during weekly labs and quizzes
- Having in person classes to learn the content
- lectures Dave and slides
- The engaging classes that had lots of demos and then lab opportunities to practice them.
- The Friday labs were beneficial. The exercises and handouts were good for recapping the week's content and a good study tool for what to expect on the exam and assignments.
- the labs
- the labs were extremely helpful. I understood the main concepts and learning goals there.
- The learning goals that the instructor identified and listed out on Learn was extremely useful
- The learning goals that were written after every lecture. They helped guide me like a checklist.
- The teacher himself was great, the content however was extremely boring, even with his charisma
- What helped me to learn in this course was making sure that I attended labs since those usually prepare you for the assignments. Also, going to office hours helped as well.
| What changes, if any, would I suggest for this course? |
- don't drag a topic on for too long and cut into a different topic's runtime
- everything is good
- everything is perfect
- Focus more on the components rather than coding.
- having lecture videos recorded so students can go back and review content if needed
- I would suggest posting the slideshow before the class lectures. That way, it would be easier to come to class with prepared notes, and then we could add in the extra information and examples that are said during class
- If I could make any changes for one, I don’t appreciate being the Guinea pigs of this term since the course is online now. I would’ve never taken it if I knew it would be like this and just so free for all. I think Dave is awesome, THE BEST PROF TO TEACH THIS COURSE NO ONE ELSE, he is stimulating, he engages us, he’s passionate and you can tell he loves what he teaches and wants us to be successful. However, I took this course in the past when it was more excel based and funny enough I think it was easier than it is now. The course started off okay and I think once we hit the HTML it became problematic. First of all we never had concrete notes for any of the coding material we covered and when the material was presented to us it was demo style. He shows us what’s he’s doing and we just follow along, some of us have never seen this in our lives, we can’t just see it and be able to reproduce it. Demo lectures should not be a thing moving forward in a CS class this was supposed to be fun, introductory. I also felt like when it came to assignments they were heavy towards the second half and when we had the option to work as a group, I felt like there wasn’t much structure to set students up. No announcement on teams for anyone who’s wants to work in a group but doesn’t have one, we were told by the ISA’s “you have to walk around and ask your peers if they have a group” just felt very unorganized and pressuring sometimes to finish these assignments at times. Lastly, [name removed] should be reevaluated since it says on the syllabus and was made clear to us from day 1 that she handles accommodations or extenuating circumstances. She is literally only there to reiterate what’s not the syllabus. I felt so unsupported in this course, understandable Dave doesn’t handle admin things like that but [name removed] felt very “figure it out, reach out to your ISA’s” the typical you expect to hear. Very disappointing since the Faculty of Math especially CS courses get a rep for that. I thought CS 100 would be fun, refreshing, again I took the course in the past online and i enjoyed what I learned then more than I did now. Sorry. Love Dave though! He’s the best :)
- Make the lab component of the course optional for students.
- Maybe add some more coding assignments
- More engagement opportunities in class to make sure students understand course material, or possibly 1-1 or group style instructional demos of how to use applications so that when it gets to the assignment you are well versed in the subject and able to self trouble shoot.
- N/A
- no
- Nothing to be honest, my favorite course taken thus far!
- the information at end was alot to take in. the math can be dumb down a bit
- The lectures seemed like they were made with a whim. I would prefer a more structured outline than a broader one.