draft of survey -- for students this time!

Here is a draft of the survey that I will give to a random selection of students enrolled in writing classes at each of the three chosen area colleges. It is similar the faculty survey that I posted the other day. Feedback is welcome!!!

SURVEY FOR STUDENTS (in writing classes)

The following survey is designed to gather information about the extent to which instructors and students are informed about the course management software (CMS) available to them as a technological aid in their courses. In gathering feedback from instructors and students regarding their knowledge about these programs and their awareness of possible alternatives, I hope to better understand the kinds of decision making processes that are involved in attaining these programs for use in higher education and in writing classes in particular.

Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may choose to leave the study at any time without consequence. All information obtained from this study is strictly confidential.

The survey is brief and should take only ten to fifteen minutes of your time. Thank you for your participation!


Please circle the appropriate answer. If you choose other, please specify.

1. You are enrolled at a:
a. Four year state university
b. Small, private four year liberal arts college
c. County community college (part of the state system)

2. What year are you?
a. First year
b. Second year
c. Third year
d. Fourth year
e. Fifth year
f. Non-matriculated

3. Describe your relationship to technology:
a. Innovator – I program/design my own software
b. Early-adopter – I am always one of the first to have the latest gadgets, games, software, etc.
c. I have used a computer since I was very young and understand its functions quite well
d. I use a computer to go online, instant messaging, and basic word processing
e. I primarily use(d) a computer for school purposes but not at home and not for much more than basic word processing
f. Feel a lack of knowledge about technology and therefore tend not to use it

4. What course management software (CMS) have you used during your time at this college? Circle all that apply.
a. BlackBoard
b. WebCT
c. Angel
d. Moodle
e. Sakai
f. A program designed by your instructor
g. A website designed by your instructor
h. A class blog
i. A software program designed and built by your institution
j. None
k. Don’t know
l. Other_________________

5. What course management software (CMS) does this class use?
m. BlackBoard
n. WebCT
o. Angel
p. Moodle
q. Sakai
r. A program your instructor designed
s. A website designed by your instructor
t. A class blog
u. A software program designed and built by your institution
v. None
w. Don’t know
x. Other_________________

6. If you chose none AND have experience using a CMS for a different course, can you please comment on the difference(s) between a course utilizing a CMS and the one that doesn’t:


If this course is NOT using a CMS, please go to questions 11 – 13.

7. Which functions do you use most often? (number in order of use with one being the feature most frequently used; please put zero if you don’t utilize the function at all)
a. My Grades ___
b. Online text/quiz ___
c. Discussion/chat ___
d. E-mail ___
e. Accessing lecture notes ___
f. Checking course announcements ___
g. Accessing course documents ___
h. Journal/Blog ___
i. Collaboration/Wiki ___
j. Other ___________________ ___

8. If the CMS has given you technological problems, have you utilized the college’s technology support?
a. Yes
b. No
c. I have not had problems with this program
If you answered “yes,” were they able to help you with your problem?
a. Yes
b. No

9. Overall, do you consider this program to be a tool that helps you with your writing?
1 2 3 4 5
not at all very much so

10. Do you find the interface easy to use?
1 2 3 4 5
difficult easy to use very easy to use



11. Do you think you write more in a class that uses a CMS (including e-mails, chat, posting messages/discussion, etc.) than one that doesn’t? Please rate on a scale from one to five with one being much less to five being much more.
1 2 3 4 5
much less about the same much more

12. Your institution’s CMS costs approximately how much per year?
a. $3,000 – 10,000
b. $10,000 – 20,000
c. $20,000 – 40,000
d. $40,000 - $60,000
e. $60,000 – 75,000
f. more than $75,000
g. I don’t know

13. To what extent are you familiar with open source e-learning or CMS platforms (such as Moodle or Sakai)? Please rate your familiarity on a scale of one to five with one being not familiar at all to five constituting a solid understanding of open source models:

1 2 3 4 5


14. Please elaborate on any questions above that you felt were limiting: