Faculty Technology Use Survey Results - 2004 

If you want to contact us:
Email: edtech@wku.edu
Telephone: 270.745.2970
TPH215

The results of the Educational Technology Faculty Survey are summarized here and will be updated as new responses are submitted.  These results will be used to help us plan for future instructional technology initiatives. 

Several faculty made comments or asked questions on their survey.  These comments, questions and answers are shown after the survey summary.

Survey Summary

Note:  All of the percentages do not add up to 100%.  This is due to the fact that some individuals chose not to respond to some questions.

Comments, Questions and Answers

The podiums are wonderful! It is so nice not to have to carry laptops (we have to share those in our dept) to the classrooms and take the time to do all the set up. The new podiums also alleviate the need for the adapters that were necessary in some of the classrooms - we had to borrow one each time we needed one. The ease and convenience of teaching with technology is unparalled in any other facility on campus. Thank YOU and your office so much for taking such good care of us. We are not only TRAINED in how to use technology in our teaching, but we actually have what we NEED to do so.

Thank you.  It is nice to receive positive feedback.

I would like speakers added to the classrooms.

If you would like speakers in a classroom, please contact us and we will see that they are added.

I would like a wireless mouse added to the classrooms.

Some classrooms have these at this time.  They were paid for with departmental funds.  We will be happy to install these items if your department will pay for them or whenever we are able to acquire funding in some other way.

I would like dvd players in the computers in the classrooms.

Perhaps having video in the "podium set up.

DVD

The computers that we placed in the classrooms do not have dvd players.  The next replacement cycle will probably have them.  The replacements will take place beginning next fall.  At this time some dvd players are being added to some classrooms.  They were paid for with departmental funds.  We will be happy to install these items if your department will pay for them or whenever we are able to acquire funding in some other way.

I would like a document camera in the classrooms.

The whiteboard in the Electronic Classroom is fantastic - I know I am dreaming, but the more of those we can get into classrooms, the more interactive and demonstrative our teaching can become.

Way to show opague materials, ie books, forms, sample work...

We will come back to the faculty to determine whether document cameras or electronic white boards would be more important as a next step.  We are currently in the process of searching for funding for theses items.

It would be nice to access our drives as well via the network to the lecterns - but it is okay bringing in a disc or CD

It sounds like you are talking about your network drives.  If so, you can access them by logging in to your own account.  To log in to your account in the classroom you will need to know your network context.  The login will be something like .yourloginname.yourdepartment.CEBS.AA.ADM.wku (for example jones.psy.cebs.aa.adm.wku).  Of course you will need to enter your password just as you do in your office.

I would like updated proxima projectors in all classrooms so lights can be left on.

Unfortunately some of the classrooms have data projectors that are not bright enough to use with the lights left on.  These are typically in classrooms some of the first to be equipped with data projectors.  We recently replaced some of the older projectors and are seeking funding to replace the others.

If and when we can upgrade to XP on the computers it would be nice.

new computers with Windows and Office XP

The computers currently in the classrooms will not support XP.  The next replacement cycle will have computers with XP.  The replacements will take place beginning next fall.

Could we have the lights divived so that the distribution is half for each switch. Even better would be a switch configuration where there are fewer lights for the front of the classroom and more for the back on the two separate switches.

The lights in 416 desperately need to be banked.

Most of the classrooms have been banked and when possible the front and back half of the room were each placed on a switch.  If a classroom is not banked, please let us know (thanks for the info about 416) and we will have it fixed.  If the banking in a classroom does not satisfy our needs, please let us know so that we can determine whether it can be changed.

The technology in the classroom is very useful. My level of satisfaction and comfort in using the technology is related to the fact that I am learning how to use the podium and equipment that is available. (The available technology is not the issue.) The room that I teach in (106 TPH) does not have a podium at this time, although, I have thoroughly enjoyed using the proxima that is in the classroom. Once I have a chance to use the podium and related technology on a regular basis I think I will feel very comfortable using this technology.

We thought that all classrooms in the building were equipped with multimedia lecterns and data projectors.  If you know of one that is not, please let us know (Thanks for telling us about 106.  We will take care of it.).

Mice does not always work smoothly 

The clicker for the proxima is often tricky and does not want to turn on without a lot of attention

If there is any problem with the equipment in a classroom, please contact us.  We cannot fix it if we do not know there is a problem.  The remote for the data projector may simply need batteries.  We will replace the batteries if you let us know when their is a need (We will check the remote in 416 - thanks for the information)

Space for conducting class work is becoming more crowded!

We welcome suggestions for solving this problem.  One solution may be to use the data projector to show video tapes and therefore eliminate the need for the TVs.  Removing the stands for the TV/VCRs would create a lot of space.

I have no clue how to use the new technology in the classroom. However, I do hear frequent comments from others that it can take 10- 15 - 20 minutes of class time to get the system to work. When the techie people can't get things to work regularly, it is not much of an incentive for us less techie people to want to learn how. Even at a previously scheduled textbook technology info workshop, the technology did not work and we wound up looking at the workshop off someone's laptop. (This system would not work with a class of 40). So while technology can be really cool, if you cannot count on it and need to "find someone" to get it going, there are still issues (at least with an overhead you just need to find another overhead, not a knowledgeable person). Once a dependable system is in place, offering training to faculty and not assuming everyone knows what they are doing would be great. I was just given a key to the podium. I do know how to use a key, but...... 

We have never before heard the comment that it takes 10- 15 - 20 minutes of class time to get the system to work.  As a matter of fact, it should take no longer than it takes to open the door and turn on the computer and data projector - maybe 5 minutes at most.  We are not sure which techie people you are referring to, but if you need help please come see us.  The problem with the technology for the textbook demo was not our 'stuff' but the things that the textbook company brought and could not make work.  Perhaps if they had come to us sooner, we could have helped them set it up properly.   The technology in the classrooms at this time is quite reliable.  There have been no significant down times in any of the classrooms and any problems that have reported are generally fixed within 24-48 hours.  A very basic overview of how the lecterns work was given at the departmental meetings were the keys were distributed.  At that time an offer was made to provide additional assistance to anyone who asked.   Once again, if you need help, please ask.  If enough requests are made we will be happy to hold training.  However, without sufficient numbers, we will continue to offer assistance on a one-to-one basis.

Do you consider overheads as technology? If so, it would be VERY helpful to have a decent functioning overhead projector in every classroom!!!!! It is very frustrating to have to "find" - beg, borrow, or steal an overhead to use for a class. Some of us still prefer for various instructional reasons to use this low tech technique. It seems like an overhead should be a relatively inexpensive investment.

The responsibility for providing overheads has not been given to Educational Technology.  However, we do know that at one time there were working overheads in all classrooms.  We are not sure why it is necessary to "find" - beg, borrow, or steal an overhead to use for a class, but suspect it is because someone has moved or removed the one that belongs in a particular classroom.   We have also been told that damaged projectors are not reported.  In defense of the people who try to keep overheads available, it is not possible to keep a working projector in every classroom if they are moved and damaged projectors are not reported. 

Something to show photos

Please come talk with us.  We may have a solution, but need to know exactly what you need.

Perhaps double screens to allow for simultaneous viewing of different exhibits.

We are not sure what this means.  Please contact us and we can discuss the issue.

It would also be nice to have a printer, but I don't think the benefit would really outweigh the cost!

You are probably correct; the cost would likely be too high for the benefit.  We can show you how to print to a printer in the Technology Center or near your office if that would help.

Way to play Videos on the big screen.

We agree that that is a good way to show videos.  However, there are some who would rather show the videos on the TVs.  We plan to add a splitter so that you can show the video via the data projector or TV or both.

I find the location and size of the lecterns inconvenient...too small and located where teachers can't comfortably see the screen. There is very limited room for class notes & materials.

The size of the lecterns was a compromise between cost, the fact that some people think they use too much space and are not needed at all and the desire on the part of others to have multimedia access in all classrooms.  We thought that if an instructor needed a place for notes and materials a separate table could be moved adjacent to the lectern.  It is difficult to find a solution to the location issue that is satisfactory for everyone.  We did request suggestions before placing the lecterns and received none.  One solution may be to use a wireless mouse so that you are not forced to stay at the lectern.  If you want to try this solution, please contact us.

Thank you so much for adding the technology! It makes my job so much easier and more effective!

Thanks for the new equipment in the classrooms

Thank you.  It is nice to receive positive feedback.

The candle was not discarded when the light bulb was invented. We still need working overhead projectors, white boards, etc.

You are correct.  As a matter of fact we have candles at home; however we would rather read with a light bulb than a candle J. 

See comments above about overhead projectors, white boards, etc.

Whenever possible, I use technology in my classroom and for out-of-class assignments. I believe it's important to show students how to use technology rather than just for pleasure (games, etc.) With the expansion of the technology in the College of Education, it makes teaching and learning must more possible. Face it, while teaching, entertaining the students will only enhance their learning. I also teach in Glasgow and I can assure you that the technology used by the College of Education is much more convenient than those in Glasgow.

Thanks!

Easier instructions for use.

We will take a look at the instructions and see if we can improve them.  If you have any suggestions for making the instructions better, we certainly welcome them.  We will also be happy to provide additional instructions to anyone who wants them.  

We are very fortunate to have the technology we have. Anyone who does not understand that should take a trip to any of the other colleges!

Thanks!

Having it already in the classroom makes it much easier to deliver. I appreciate being able to take the disk instead of having to take the projector and the computer and all the other stuff. Thank you!

Thanks!