Blinn College Technology User Survey- Faculty

Spring 2004

Software Questions

1.                  What software or systems do you use at Blinn (mark all that apply)

Other (list) 

• academic computer language softwares
• Blinn Bullutin Board
• ClickArt, Dreamweaver
• Elluminate (on-line office hours)
• Faculty Development Database
• HTML / Web page .. Dreamweaver, Fireworks
• I want to learn WebCT and excessive absence reporting
• I'm not certain whether Virtua is software installed on my computer or whether it opens automatically when I go to the library homepage.  I'd like to know .
• Maple Software
• Maple,  Respondus, SnagIt
• mspublisher
• Personal PDA to keep memos, notes, calendar, etc.
• personal software
• PowerPoint
• Real Producer
• respondus
• Respondus
• Scientific Notebook
• SynchronEyes software in computer labs
• Synchroneyes, forms posted on Blinn web site
• teaching CD-roms, Spartan, testbanks, Trinity's Spectral Interpretation, Chemistry 4-D, Acrobat, etc.
• Web content editor/Dreamweaver

2.                  What software or systems would you like to receive training on?

Other (list) 

3.                  What software or systems do you NOT have currently, that you need to do your job better?

Other (list) 

• A program where I can put in and rearrange questions.
• a simple grade averaging program (EXCEL is confusing and not made specifically for grades)
• Ability to type on Adobe Acrobat documents
• Access to updates on those programs that we are not allowed to download
• Adobe Indesign
• gradebook
• I do not have PowerPoint at home therefore, being part-time, I do not have the ability to coordinate my lectures with a computerized visual presentation.  I would like to be able to use Corel Presentations which I could develop at home and use at Blinn.
• I do not know
• I have all that I need at this time
• I really need more help on searching for plagiarism without having the students disk.
• If there was a copier on the second floor of the building we would not waste so much time running up and down the stairs to make small numbers of copies.
• latex
• MSQL
• Online quizzes and homeworks for students
• Photo shop
• Photoshop, scanner to help me develop the Art History WebCt sites. I frequently have to develop them in my home computer and scanner.
• publisher
• Respondus
• SAS or SPSS
• The latest Word update
• updates
• We need to be able to access the local area network from home.
• WebDrive
• Wizzie-Wig

4.                  Are there aspects of your job at Blinn that should be automated that currently are not?

4a.       If you answered yes, what factors prevent you from using software to automate aspects of your job? (mark all that apply)

Other (describe) 

• all forms should be filled out online
• Appropriate software not currently available
• Filling out trip tickets and expenses should be automated.
• I don't know how.  (Is that "lack of training?")
• I would not have the time to do it myself.
• It is a good idea.  I am open to suggestions. Division Chair.
• lack of Scantron reader with recordable output
• Lack of time in computer support also.
• Not Applicable to me
• Overuse of WebCT so can't get on in timely manner
• Refer to above - Corel Presentations not available at Blinn
• Some college forms ie trip ticket, UIL reporting, and similar documents
• Submit Bookstore forms, UIL forms, and Club Forms electronically
• There does not seem to be an interest.
• There should be an institutional grade book online.
• We need to be able to access the local area network from home.
• Why can we not import from an excel spreadsheet to BORIS? and automatically send confirm of class grading?

Hardware Questions

5.                  How adequate is your hardware in size, speed for your job?

•         A Fax somewhere in our floor -- I have had people fax me at home.
•         About 12 of us share a printer
•         Above: I use my own at home.
•         CD burner would be nice to have
•         CD-read/write or zip drive (have neither)
•         Don;t have a scanner
•         I need to learn how to use the scanner because one is in the Learning Center, that would be helpful.
•         I share a printer with several professors at a remote.
•         I use my own computer & printer at home
•         Network printer needed for div.
•         other peripherals
•         projection unit in classroom
•         removable media
•         Scantron grader
•         Server
•         System slow at times
•         Web CT
•         When equipment breaks, there is no backup hardware

6.                  Do you store files on the Blinn network ('L' Drive)

6a.    If not is it because you:

Other

7.                  How do you backup the data on your PC?

E-mail

8.                  Did you know there is a browser-based version of Blinn email? (mail.blinn.edu)

8a.    If yes, have you used it?

9.                  If no, do you need training on using it?

10.              List any additional features you would like to see in e-mail.

• a better spam filter
• An application to extract email addresses to an address book.
• Blinn e-mail automatically forward to my home e-mail address
• Department wide scheduling like Microsoft Outlook provides.
• Full access from home or elsewhere would be good.
• I can't access Blinn email or (more importantly, BORIS) from home: it doesn't work with my system (when I try to log in to boris or email, I'm told via error messages that "the system has timed out." I've talked to computer support, and they have told me that the system is simple incompatible, and there's nothing I can do.)
• I hope to use he browser this summer when I'm in Dallas.
• I prefer to use another client besides IE or Netscape.  I would like to be able to install software to my office computer rather than depend on someone from Acad Tech
• I tried to use mail.blinn.edu but had problems accessing it from home. (AOL)
• I would like to see a spam filter.
• It would be nice to be able to add words to the dictionary for the spell check.
• less trash e-mail
• My e-mail is forwarded to my home e-mail
• Option to retreive voice-mail messages from office phone.
• spam control
• straighten-out the kinks & quirks (quarks?) in Netscape
• Stronger sanitation of junk email.
• Stronger, more effective filtering of Spam messages
• student email accounts
• student e-mail accounts
• the ability to send zip files again
• transfer of list easily from one group to another without having to copy name by name

Support

11.              What methods of reporting hardware or software problems have you used (mark all that apply)

12.              Think about the last few times you asked for assistance with hardware problems. How satisfied were you with the assistance provided?

12a.  If you were not completely satisfied with your hardware problem resolution, what would have made the experience better? Describe:

• At the time in question, having qualified personnel in the Academis Technology center.  The individual contacted implied that he could assist me, and we set up an appointment.  First he forgot the appointment and then did not know how to use the hardware I needed help with.
• Better response and follow-up report
• Better sense of Urgency/accommodation. Prioriies for emergencies. Face-to-face.
• Certain computer needs have been ignored.
• Completely correct the problem.
• Each division could have a "wild card" nerd assigned, a specific person, perhaps, who would be available right now, not that there has been any delay of significance in this regard, but knowing a certain person assigned to the division could put out the fires even faster. Thank you very much for all of your help.
• Follow-up to ensure that the problem had been adequately corrected
• I have a program that is mine that I need reloaded on my computer and someone from my department needs to help do it because the tech people do not know how to do it -- they are very willing to help we just need to get if fixed soon.
• I would like to see generally more authority given to faculty to handle routine maintenence tasks on classroom computer systems themselves.
• if we could have completely fixed the problem with the projection unit and classroom computer
• More rapid response, being able to contact someone immediately when classroom computers exhibit problems
• My classroom computer in L261 is terrible.  Several of us teachers have called about it; no one fixes it.
• My PC ia very old and very slow.  It'a not hooked up to the printer (or it wasn't until I told the guy who sits close to me that my PC wasn't hooked up, and he hooked it up; I was using his computer, thus keeping him from using it.  I don't know what else my PC is not hooked up to.
• new equipment
• No response to written help tickets, no follow-up to written help tickets. If the help tickets are returned saying completed the problem usually has not been resolved and still exists and the tech has never contacted me to discuss the situation.
• problem fixed the first time
• problem was with telephone-it still isn't fixed.  Tell me what is wrong, what can be done?
• Problems reported multiple times before assistance, slow.
• projector in room 15 of academic building works intermittantly - not fixed
• satisfiable results  (could not do what was needed on my computer -- to old)
• Student wrker was clueless and non-communicative
• Tech support pay closer attention to comments from user.
• The lab that I teach in has many problems.  It was not the tech's fault, however, even after working on the hardware, the computer was no longer functional.  It would be nice to replace the computer.
• The printer for the ADN and LVN program is not adequate for the volume.
• timeliness and hardware upgrade

13.              Think about the last few times you asked for assistance with software problems. How satisfied were you with the assistance provided?

13a. If you were not completely satisfied with your software problem resolution, what would have made the experience better? Describe:

14.              How often do you need computer support staff available to you at times other than M-F 8am-5pm for issues that cannot wait until the next business day to be resolved?

14a.           If you answered “sometimes” or “frequently”, how are you currently contacting support staff during off-hours?

• After hours during Final Exams when hardware/software go down in computer classroom.
• call and leave a message
• contacting the Help Desk by telephone
• e-mail
• email Michael Welch
• Help Desk ticket or trying to "find someone" who can help
• I put off whatever teaching need until I can contact someone during the day
• I stop work or excuse the students when there is a breakdown e.g. projector bulb blow after 5 p.m.
• I switch classrooms with someone, if possible.
• I walk over there an ask them.
• just wait until they get to work
• Margene McAdam's office helps.
• People who teach night and very late afternoon classes need a no. to call.
• usually do not bother because no one will get the message until the next day anyway.
• waiting and contacting the next working day.
• We need a network status webpage

Instructional Technology

15.              How often do you use classroom technology (projector and computer) in your class?

16.              How satisfied with the classroom technology equipment are you?

17.              Suggestions for improving classroom technology

18.              Are you aware there are computer labs exclusively for faculty on the Brenham and Bryan campus?

19.              Have you used the faculty development labs: Bryan E238 (Techno Lounge) or Brenham Arts and Sciences 211?

20.              How satisfied were you with your experience in the faculty lab?

Suggestions

21.              Are there additional services that you would like to see the Blinn computer support areas provide?

• a scanner, some Apple (Mac) computers
• access the L drive from home
• Assign official Blinn e-mail addresses to all students.
• Available during the times that classes are in session--7:45 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
• Begin the day at 7:30A...
• Better overall PC support.  Better support of the classrooms with PC by: 1. Available support during classroom hours (8:00-5:00 doesn't cut it).  2. Immediate support due to testing and lab usage.
• Blinn College needs an Apple Users Group for those faculty, staff, and students who prefer Macintosh.  One for each campus.
• Blinn Computer support is excellent. They need more people working in that department.
• Continue to give regular training sessions for the faculty
• Customer oriented service.  A major component of marketing is internal marketing.  I believe the computer staff responsible for the Bryan hardware should focus on treating faculty as customers.
• Have E238B open more.
• I am still receiving obscene emails - average of 4 daily
• I am very excited about working for a college that supports technology like Blinn does, especially in all the academics not just a select few. 
• I still want to set up a faculty web page, and will need hand holding for that.
• I use a laptop and it would be nice to have WIFI all over campus, or at least in every classroom.
• I would enjoy a general faculty training session; particularly I would like help setting-up an on-line grade book through Excel.
• I would like a PC like everybody else has.
• In the computer lab create a short cut on the desktop that can easily be used to report computer problems while in the lab
• In the past a technology training acdemy was available but only to the instructors in the technical area.  Some of the academic instructors would like to benefit from this training but it has never been offered as a training academy 
• It is good to know that the Faculty lab exists.
• Laptops to take home and use away from the office; prepare lectures,tests, etc.  My home PC is not always compatible with work PC.  I wrote a test once and couldn't pull it up at work.
• mac computer for video editing
• May need to upgrade the 3rd and 4th floors of Old Main.  Access slow
• More frequent updates to Netscape and IE browsers - the current editions are several generations old
• More support for using Access database.
• networked classrooms, evaluation software, live web-based student services
• People who actually answer the phones at the help desks.
• Perhaps some training on how to fix our own problems - how to tell and individual computer problem from a network problem.  Also, information about who to contact in which type of situation.  When working in WebCT, how do I know if I'm supposed to contact their help or Blinn computer help?
• Provide assistance to students either in the form of basic tech support or refer students to resources in the community for tech support. Students not familiar with computers have problems setting up an internet connection or installing software. Some universities provide basic tech support to their students, if this is not possible then provide information on businesses in the community students could contact for assistance with this issues.
• Some evening training available.
• Sometimes I need one-on-one help to develop materials, not always available.
• Student logins
• The Brenham development lab is not available when I am on campus - I am part-time.
• The Student Center Conference Center could have 25 CPS response pads and sensor.
• The use of linux or unix
• they are doing a great job.  WebCt support for basic immediate things
• Think about wireless 802.11g capablities in common areas.
• Upgrade our network hardware on the 3rd & 4th floors of Old Main. The connection is slower than dial-up & greatly hinders our use of the technological resources available to the rest of the faculty and staff.
• We need a network status webpage
• We need to be able to access the local area network from home.

22.              What visions, ideas do you have for expanding the use of technology at Blinn over the next five years?

• Cameras for videotaping would be extremely helpful in classrooms used by the Fine Arts speech faculty, also upgrading classroom computers' software. Many of my students' computers are more advanced than our classrooms, which leads to software incompatibility when running powerpoint programs.  My office computer is even more behind!
• Classroom performance system to get immediate feedback from and to students.
• Develop/Implement on-line exams process for software courses... eliminate paper exams
• Don't do it.  Teachers abrogate their responsibility to communicate with students by turning the class over to a machine.  I know it is not supposed to work that way, but ask the students.  They don't like it.
• Faculty at least ought to be able to post certain problems/solutions on the PC so that students can accesss them.
• Give all faculty who ask access to "blackbeard" for web page construction
• Hardward standardization.  Classroom support.  User friendly classroom configurations for rooms with power projectors/computers similar to arrangement of room E227 (screen in corner of room ... opens up availability of blackboerd).
• I envision brain to brain communication within five years
• I hope that hybrid courses will become standard offerings because they combine the best of  both traditional classes and online ones.
• I hope to develop material to project for my Spanish 2311 class.
• I teach PC Hardware classes and would love to have a specified classroom with a number of older functional computers so students can get hands on experience building, repairing, and troubleshooting the PCs.
• I want to do Web enhanced classes.  Video clips, etc.
• I would like to have access to at least one good computer for visual imaging (photoshop) and a scanner for the development of art history sites.
• I would like to see a bigger Writing Room in the Academic Building, and I would like to be able to have a computerized gradebook.
• I'd like to see BORIS tweaked. Specifically, when faculty logs on, we are required to "select term." We're then taken to a box, which often takes 2-3 minutes to load. The default is usually not the current term but the next one. It's obviously designed with students in mind; they generally need to access the following term to register. Faculty, however, rarely needs this; they need to check the current term information in order to monitor drops and enter grades. IN a nutshell: The "select term" step should be optional, not required; for faculty, the default term should be the current one.
• Improved support of classroom and office computers.
• Investidate the possibilities
• Keep up with the technology.  So far Blinn has done a great job given my teaching needs.
• Keep updated with Microsoft Office, Windows
• Keeping current technology available and working at a reasonable speed for faculty & increased number of students
• Keeping track of Interns exiting our TEACH Program to help in assessing quality
• Make all the software available to faculty at home to link to campus computers.
• make it easier/more efficient  for each division and its web master to keep web pages updated.  Perhaps more training or more than one web master for large divisions.  Perhaps more training for individual instructors to get files ready for web masters. 
• My main problem with using the computer helps available in chemistry is that they do not teach the student to think through the entire problem. Most of the programs are short answer, fill in the blank, kind of answers, that do not promote thinking skills.
• networked classrooms, evaluation software, live web-based student services
• Offer more courses online.
• on-line lab reports for students, better access to on-line hours
• open connections for students to use Blinn system directly, for example like dial up connections
• Projector and sympodium in the Banquet hall of the Bryan campus.
• see above; also allowing easier access for the Post Office students to use computer lab on this campus when there is not a class using the lab; it sits empty much of the time
• somehow give us more time to develop uses - allow division student workers to help faculty with menial chores such as typing and copying
• Sometimes, the machine gets in the way, with all due respect to the marvels of the machine. If the machine interferes too much with a personal relationship developing between the instructo and the student and the student and other students, the "good education" may be placed in unnecessary jeopardy. The machine should be a tool in the puruit of the good, true, and beautiful in life, not an end in itself or anything approaching that degree of involvement. Nevertheless, I think that everybody should be computer literate, at the least.
• specific hardware decisions for specific needs of individual users
• student interactive question responses using power point and interface with "clickers".
• Student login ID with their own limited storage space on the server,
• Student logins
• Use of access for databases to track ADN program
• Use Windows Server 2003 and Fedora Linux with Apache, IIS and PHP for websites.
• We need to increase online classes and offer hybrid/blended classes on the Bryan campus.
• When I have time (grades are due tomorrow) I will think about this.
• WIFI technology could be used to encourage students to bring laptops to class.
• Wireless networking across the campus, student e-mail accounts, more BORIS functions

Demographics

23.              What campus do you primarily work on?

24.              How long have you been at Blinn?

25.              Are you a full-time or part-time faculty?