Education research: post-instruction feedback on laboratory (Cuesta College, Physics 205B, spring semester 2010)

Cuesta College students taking Physics 205B (college physics, algebra-based, mandatory adjunct laboratory) at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA take a required adjunct laboratory.

During the last week of instruction, students were given the opportunity to evaluate the laboratory components of the course.

These are the complete survey results. Analysis will be forthcoming after more data has been compiled from future semesters. Values for the mean and standard deviations are given next to the modal response category for each question. (Note that a follow-up question, "How much time did you typically spend on a lab report after the end of the experiment?" is planned to be asked in subsequent versions of this assessment.)

Physics Laboratory Learning Survey
Cuesta College
Physics 205B spring semester 2010 section 31988
(N = 12)

1. In order to receive credit for completing this survey,
  first enter your first and last name below:
  ____


2. Which of the following best characterizes your 
   preparation/involvement for lab?  Mark all that apply. 
   Read the directions/review concepts...
1. ...while doing the lab.                    5: *****
2. ...immediately before starting the lab.    6: ******
3. ...the night before the lab.               4: ****
4. ...a day (or more) before the lab.         0:

3. How often did a lab build upon a previous lecture experience?
1. Never.          0 : 
2. Not much.       0 : 
3. Sometimes.      1 : *
4. Often.          4 : ****
5. Always.         7 : *******  [4.5 +/- 0.7]
   
4. How often did a lab build upon a previous lab experience?
1. Never.          0 : 
2. Not much.       0 : 
3. Sometimes.      7 : *******  [3.5 +/- 0.7]
4. Often.          4 : ****
5. Always.         1 : *

5. Rate the level of your understanding/comprehension for a typical lab.
(a). Understanding of concepts before coming to lab.
1. None            0 : 
2. Very little.    2 : **
3. Some.           8 : ********  [3.0 +/- 0.6]
4. Much.           2 : **
5. Complete.       0 : 

(b). Understanding of concepts after pre-lab discussion, 
      before starting work.
1. None            0 : 
2. Very little.    0 : 
3. Some.           5 : *****
4. Much.           6 : ******  [3.7 +/- 0.7]
5. Complete.       1 : *

(c). Understanding of concepts after completing in-lab work. 
1. None            0 : 
2. Very little.    0 : 
3. Some.           1 : *
4. Much.           5 : *****
5. Complete.       6 : ******  [4.4 +/- 0.7]

(d). Understanding of concepts after completing lab report.
1. None            0 : 
2. Very little.    0 : 
3. Some.           1 : *
4. Much.           4 : ****
5. Complete.       7 : *******  [4.5 +/- 0.7]

(e). Comprehension of overall lab procedure/instructions. 
1. None            0 : 
2. Very little.    0 : 
3. Some.           3 : ***
4. Much.           5 : *****  [4.1 +/- 0.8]
5. Complete.       4 : ****

(f). Comprehension of overall lab purpose.  
1. None            0 : 
2. Very little.    0 : 
3. Some.           1 : *
4. Much.           7 : *******  [4.3 +/- 0.6]
5. Complete.       4 : ****

6. Typically a lab would help me understand the concepts.
1. Strongly disagree.      0 : 
2. Disagree.               0 : 
3. Neutral.                1 : *
4. Agree.                  7 : *******  [4.3 +/- 0.6]
5. Strongly agree.         4 : ****

7. How much time did you typically spend preparing/studying 
   before the start of lab (including work on pre-lab 
   assignments)?
1. 15 minutes or less.     6 : ******
2. 30 minutes.             5 : *****
3. 1 hour.                 0 : 
4. 2 hours.                1 : *
5. 3 hours or more.        0 :