Q20

Responses to Question 20

I felt like I had a student-teacher relationship with Eleanor Kiernan and when I would ring her to ask questions that further developed my sense of being a student with a teacher rather than someone who just gets documents mailed to them.
It made my first correspondence course a good one! I am very happy with my experience of CMS1000. Thank you!
Please try and get this form of learning adapted across the board.
I felt that the course was very well run and catered well for my needs. It would be good to see the practises used in this course applied throughout the other courses.
This was the first course I used this type of study material and I found it really interesting.
Thank you.
Love the very helpful detailed instructions in the introductory book.
I think the CD with PowerPoint presentation and the Audio was a huge success.. It was great to know that I could do the lectures from the CD in the comfort of my own home and also that I could replay at any time the lecture if I didn't quite understand something. It was a pleasure doing the course with the materials provided. Thankyou
I felt that Eleanor was extremely helpful within this course and would respond to questions in no time at all.
Make the diagrams accessible to all.
Keep Eleanor as the lecturer for this course. She's absolutely BRILLIANT, fast, efficient, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, BRILLIANT. If USQ has awards for lecturers, she should receive one!!!!! Thank you; have learnt much on my quest of communication skills. The cd was brilliant too!
I liked not having an exam to study for; I feel all learning was demonstrated in assignments. A study schedule which was week-by-week would make learning modules easier. The study schedule needed to be changed around, depending on assignments. I don't think this is necessary.
Thank you
The only thing that I think may need to be addressed is the learning material could have been sent out earlier, it was not received by me until a couple of weeks into the semester.
I would like to say that I found Eleanor our lecturer very helpful and positive, keeping in touch with emails throughout the unit was great and I didn't feel so alone having the lecturer in contact.
The course was a good start for me. I haven't studied for ages and this brought me back up to the basics (like how to write a good essay) with relative confidence. To top it off, Eleanor was a fantastic support and a great help to us external students.
I think that there should be the CD format and also a printed format available...that way people can choose which one they would like to use, which one would help them the most, so they could get the best marks possible.
The computer makes me feel sick if I am on it for a length of time, so am unable to study on my computer or read things - I always need to print out long pages of text to read in my own time without the computer.
I was frustrated when I first received cd because of being first time user, but, found it fun as soon as I started using it. I really did like the PowerPoint slides, they were my favourite, I don’t have any other comments or suggestion.
I would be better if each Module has an outline of sub topic.
My comment is more general. The online library doesn't offer many options for external students. It would be nice to have access to a broader range of academic work to write our assignments. We basically can't do any extra research. The State Library is being upgraded at the moment in Brisbane and is all over the place and not very handy. Thus, our resources are very limited.
The fact that Eleanor is so approachable and keeps in regular contact with her external students is a true asset to this course.
There seemed to be some confusion about assignment requirements at times from checking discussion board. My other subject provided Teletute which gave very specific instructions and I found that useful.
CD could be used for diagrams, PowerPoint and small amounts of text describing the module. If a section contains a lot of text, it is easier to read in paper form.
I would like to say thankyou for a challenging, informative and enjoyable semester.
I thought that substituting the exam for Assignment 4 was an excellent idea. I felt that I covered all aspects of the course this way, rather than just touching on some.
I would like to see this subject included in the high-school curriculum. With no disrespect intended toward other academic subjects, why is it compulsory for students to learn a second language when we obviously need to learn to communicate within our own?
Thanks again.
No comments.
The start of something great. Thankyou
I think the assignments could be written in a way that is easier to understand
It is excellent that there are different approaches being trailed. One video lecture covering each module as in actual lectures would be better and help greatly with revision.
Fantastic course, great materials provided. I learnt a lot. Thank You!
I bought the written version of the study material at the start of the semester so I didn't use the CD. Therefore a lot of this survey was irrelevant for me.
Now that I have moved on to another subject, without a CD, I’m realising just how useful the CD was and how difficult I am finding it to learn solely from text. Thank you for the CD!!!
I thought it was a good course, much more apt for further studies and more interesting than the AST1000 course.
I thought the PP and audio presentations were quite well done!! As an external student I felt like I was attending a proper lecture - not just all self directed study.
Offer both printed and CD materials.
I felt that everything to do with this course was sufficient
This course has been an eye opener for me and being a slow learner I think I will retain a lot of information that was made available to me through lecturer’s comments once I sort out my assignments. I have been pleased with the help and responses I got whenever I encountered a problem and did not know what to do.
Thanks for the pass.
I thought not having to sit for an examination for this course a pleasant surprise and an appropriate one given the course content. Assessment tools assessed all aspects of the course.
I thought the idea of an assessment plan for the first assignment also great because it gave students feedback at the very first step.
I also appreciated the supportive comments and assistance I received from the course markers and course lecturer. I struggled with the essay assignment but thanks to the markers notes I managed a turnaround that surprised even me.
What I initially thought would be a course that I would breeze through, caused me quite a lot of frustration but I can now say that I learnt an awful lot about the mechanics of communication and essay writing. I only wished that I had taken this course in 2001 when I first started my uni studies, because I am sure with the increased skills I have learned I would have received better marks for some of my assignments.
Thank you for a very thoughtfully considered and insightful course.
I can\'t really suggest anything more than what is working now. All in all I found the course relatively easy to navigate and comprehend even though the assignments were challenging and showed me how far I have to go in fully embracing academic writing generally. An interesting and enjoyable course. Thank you.
I think that the course is very well structured and the help that I received when asked could not be faulted. I think compared to other faculties, this one is above standard. Thank you to the team.
Assignment 1 if you follow the study schedule to the letter, you can't do assignment 1. That is extra reading on top of the study schedule. It doesn’t flow very well and the study schedule is all over the shop. Eg chapter 6 to ch 9, 13 then back to 6, up to 14????? Not very logical and not a well thought out curriculum. Assignment 2 on a tape? On one hand you are promoting the CD and how good it is, then you want us to do assignment 2 on a tape?
Communication and Scholarship is not a big deal, the concepts are not as difficult as say Calculus. But, why should we not do our best at all levels? We have the technology to broadcast audio-visual over the net, so why not broadcast the lectures. Students who study film and television at USQ could be involved with this at lecture times with the object to grasp the lecture atmosphere as much as possible. What I am explaining to you, I truly believe in, but not suggesting I know exactly how to go about it.
Really enjoyed the learning quiz and crosswords at the end of each module. It was a great way to review knowledge and identified areas of difficulty.
I felt the course was a bit all over the place in relation to what was needed for each assignment. I mean the suggested study schedule seemed to be quite different from what was actually required and for people like me who like and only survive on order I felt I didn't know where I was most of the time.
Just a short note. I would like to thank all staff involved in this course especially Eleanor Kiernan as the answers to any question submitted on the web was answered quickly. The library staff deserve a thanks also as I know I annoyed them with referencing questions and I sure I'm not the only one that did this. So thanks all.
I thought the emails from Eleanor were a great support but on the other hand a bit unfair that extensions were given for some assignments just as one has worked hard to meet the postal cut-off. In addition, I would have been good to get feedback from assignment 3 prior to sending assignment 4. Otherwise I enjoyed this subject very much and thank you Eleanor
Personally, I feel CD and printed copy will be the ideal way for students to access the materials.
Maybe a more user friendly cd without much technical problems like mine. Most of the time I cannot access any of the stuff that I am required to.
More info. Provide print vision
An excellent idea, I hope other departments take this up. Especially the taped lectures, as an external student I have felt disadvantaged in the past because I cannot hear the audio, it was a great idea for this course. Well done guys you have done a great job!!
I like having the assessment requirements in printed form. I did not know, until it was too late, that I had to include the preliminary essay with the essay and this would not have happened if it was in print. I enjoyed the course and found it very informative. I think everyone should complete a course in communication.
What are the changes of putting selected journals and library books and CDs particularly those that related to the given assignment topics.
It was confusing when I first received my study material as I spent some time chasing up the study book. I found that once I accepted that I was to use this format, I embraced it and loved it.
Kiernan is the best!!
Having had a sneak peak at the newer version (thanks Eleanor) I can assure everybody that it will be even better than the great CD we were supplied with as a part of our course.
Perhaps the option of the final piece of assessment being an exam or written report so that those who do better with memory retention are able to be judged and increase their grade using those skills and those who do better with written assignments/reports increase their marks through that option.
I think the online library can give us more relevant books then will be much more better for any course.
I found the very quick response by Eleanor Kiernan to any questions in the messages on Study Desk to be of great benefit to every student - and I was also very appreciative of her supportive and encouraging emails which went out on a regular basis.
I wish I had done this course in the first semester because it was such a great course, it was very helpful in so many areas. Especially for someone like me, who hasn't studied for too many years to recall. Also the tutor was very helpful and offered feedback that I could actually use. Thanks heaps.
This was the first of three subjects I have studied since commencing my university course. Perhaps I would have found the CD learning style more suited to me if I was a more experienced student. As the whole uni experience is new to me, I found my other paper-based subject much easier to complete.
Eleanor was extremely helpful, in answering student’s questions through 'discussions'.
Printed materials are so much better than the CD
The only way I can think of improving this course would be to change the format into a comedy situation of some sort. This may not be appropriate for academic studies; however, the subject matter could then not be construed as boring at all then.
Not much, maybe more examples of assignments but that’s about it
The option to have it either via CD or a printable version as I’m sure there are a variety of ways that everybody feels comfortable in studying.
Kindly would request USQ to supply the revision book as well as print out.
Maybe supplying the study book would have also been an option but the cd was alright
This material was boring to read; boring information was presented so boringly.
I enjoyed it, apart from the comments above. I would like to see this utilised in more subjects.
I had difficultly in deciding what topic to use for my assignments more so with the report. the report asks us to evaluate a topic we have not had any practical experience in. Secondary Ed students do no practical experience until their third year.
I enjoyed the study materials and presentation. Thanks staff.
As I said above the WebCT needs to be improved. I had some major problems and really felt alone. As an introduction subject this one was a little bit scary, I am totally overwhelmed.
I am very satisfied with this course. I did find the essay questions somewhat confusing. i know that others have had trouble in the past with starting off on a question because it is worded funny or with too much complexity.
Loved the course, loved the materials
Don't take away the CD. It's excellent...Thanks
I really enjoyed using the CD and would suggest that other courses take this form of learning material onboard and introduce it into other courses.
I understand the need to teach tomorrow's leaders communication skills, however as I am doing a scientifically based course, it would have been helpful to get some idea of what is expected with regard to scientific reports with a little less navel gazing.
Sometimes, the course task or course assignment is little bit difficult for the non-art or non-communication students.
I would have liked to easily access a list showing correct referencing for bibliographies instead of reusing the exercise each time. This may have been on the CD but I couldn't find it as easily as the Harvard Referencing system exercises.
I've got no suggestions, but I must say I've learnt a lot. It's been a wonderful learning experience, especially doing the oral presentation and the report, which would come in handy in what I plan to do in the future. Thank you for the wonderful support I've received.
Assignments were too much the same. The oral presentation was the only thing that was different. The other three were just rehashing the same material from a bit of the text book and a couple of the readings. Less assignments and an exam would have forced me to cover all the materials and modules. I feel I didn't learn much from it as a result.
A printed version of the study materials could be useful for times when it is not possible to access a computer.
Please introduce into every subject possible. It's going to be such a shame next semester not to be working from a CD again.
The course delivered this way is fantastic.
I would like to see more audio included in this course, it makes it more interesting and helps me to reinforce what I am learning.
I ENJOYED THE COURSE AND WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ELEANOR FOR HER PROMPT REPLIES TO REQUESTS ETC. I HAD DIFFICULTY WITH NAVIGATING THE WEB CT - MY PROBLEM - IT IS JUST A COMMENT.
Overall, I think that the existing CD based study materials are complete enough. It may be helpful to provide printed copies of the modules together with the selected readings book.
Supplying materials electronically is convenient but need to make it easy to print and easy to annotate electronically. This provides maximum flexibility. Learning from electronic materials supplied can be slower than using paper based for some. Paper based can allow quick and easy annotations and also allows one to quickly 'flip' through materials. Multimedia use, while visually appealing, is limited to speed of delivery supplied. This is usually produced in terms of the lowest common denominator learner (or close to it) to ensure all can follow easily. This is frustrating at best for those that learn faster than the production speed and can de-motivate.
Would like to have been a bit more led by the hand for first subject, that is shown how to study, what sort of information is relevant to record for notes. How to study for exams, planning of study schedule and essay writing skills learned such as referencing . For mature age students getting back into study , it all seems quite daunting, so maybe the introduction of a short subject course on university and study familiarisation would help prepare the student better.
CD Rom is the way of the future with e-based and external learning.
slightly easier cd navigation
Just offhand I don't think I can really offer any comments that would lead to any changes that would deviate from the quality of the course being offered at the moment. It was very good and I learned a lot.
I believe the supply of all study materials on CD will become far more popular with future generations. The need to have hard copy documents in front of you is personal, but it is also instilled through at least twelve years of my schooling were the inclusion of PC related activities was limited. I enjoyed the course and have improved my writing as a consequence. My wife attended Uni at UQ and did not have to study introductory communication and computing mandatory subjects as at USQ. I thank USQ for including these fundamental subjects and believe they have contributed to my success in study.
For my CMS1000, I have been provided with the CD and the Selected Readings. Where is the Study Book? Is in the CD. I always enjoy reading USQ prints material but not reading from the CD. Printing from CD take time and those printed papers would scatter around if not compile properly. Not to mention, prolong reading from computer screen hurt eyes, which mean a trip to optician is near. Please provide the student with the Study Books (include the CD if you want), let them choose which to use. And please, please, please don't replace book with CD.
IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE A CLEARER SPEECH, AS I HAVE DIFFICULTY TO UNDERSTAND AND FACING A HEARING PROBLEMS, IT TOOK ME 10 TIMES TO HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO GET THE UNDERSTANDING AND THE NEEDS OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND THE OVERVIEW.
Firstly, I cannot state how refreshing it was to have a lecturer like Eleanor (and I think this sentiment would be supported by all CMS1000 students). She presented herself as the quintessential teacher. I didn't feel like it was a competition or that I had to jump through hoops. Eleanor is constantly focused on the process of learning and reinforcing students' comprehension of course material. The first course where I didn't feel expected to know, rather I was encouraged to learn. Thank you Eleanor.
Thank you for your support Eleanor.
Navigation could have been clearer
I am satisfied with this course, the course leader was very helpful and the study materials were well sorted out.
The time frame was a little to tight to keep up with all the information and get the assignments in on time. To do this I had to just focus on the assignment itself.
I found this course excellent both in content and study materials supplied. I was very impressed with the response time to questions and the fast replies for assignments. Overall I valued the CD and its materials, however I would like print based materials as well to supplement the CD, but that's just me!
It will be extremely helpful if the study materials can be in printed form.