an alumni survey jack beidler computing science university of scranton scranton, pa 18510...
TRANSCRIPT
An Alumni Survey
Jack Beidler
Computing Science
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA [email protected]
www.cs.scranton.edu
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 2
Assessment (Standards)
1. Measurable objectives2. Expected Outcome3. Documented routine collection of data
applied to program assessment4. Peroidic assessment of the extent to which
program objects are met5. Apply assessment to improve program6. Document actions
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 3
Outcome Assessment
• Ongoing exit survey– 24 questions– Mapped to objectives and accreditation
standards– Conducted annually (less one)
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 4
Alumni Survey
• Three Objectives1. Assessment information relative to the
department’s accreditation.
2. Assessment information relative to the University’s general education requirement.
3. Obtain alumni opinions on the future importance of various subject areas within the computing sciences.
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 5
Alumni Survey (Objectives)
• Topic area1. Educational Analysis
2. Programming Langauge Support
3. Software Concepts
4. Personal Data
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 6
Alumni Survey (Objectives)
1. Education Analysis: (11 questions)• Computing curriculum and courses• University General Ed.• 5 point scale• Comment area per question
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 7
Alumni Survey (Objectives)
2. Program Language Support• This section asked alumni to evaluate the
importance they perceived of various programming languages. Our goal was to get a sense of the alumni’s view of the importance of some older traditional languages as well as their thoughts regarding some of the modern languages.
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 8
Alumni Survey (Objectives)
3. Software concepts • This section asked the alumni about their
view of various topics ranging from such traditional topics as program correctness to modern areas, like object oriented programming and the Web.
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 9
Alumni Survey (Objectives)
4. Personal Data • This section was optional. It was used to
update our department’s database with contact information
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 10
Alumni Survey (Conducting)
• Survey on web form
• Postcard mailed to about 500 alumni
• Web form available from Jan. 2001 until Mar. 2001
• 110 useful responses
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 11
Alumni Survey (Observations)
• Combination of an answer scale and a comment areas is the right way to go.
• Scaled answers provide the big picture.
• Comments provide a wealth of information.
• The surprise.– Over 25% of the respondents had advanced
degrees (6 Ph.D.s, 2 JDs. 21 masters)
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 12
Alumni Survey (Conclusions)
• Web form/postcard approach is a cost effective method of gathering information
• Establish objectives for conducting the survey before formulating questions
• Leave plenty of comment areas
FIE 2002: Boston, MA WWW.CS.SCRANTON.EDU 13
Alumni Survey (Conclusions)
• Almost all our assessment material is on the web– www.cs.scranton.edu, follow the “Assessment”
link– Exit survey and summary– Alumni survey, summary, most comments