Student comments from EPID600 Summer 2007
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______________________________
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“The evaluation scales are some of the best I have ever been
asked to used. Perhaps #5, rating 2 could be re-phrased and/OR
for someone who "generally acknowledges," but for whom the
"does not appreciate" - does not apply. Perhaps a category
to evaluate on a sub-group level versus full-group since for
some discussions, the instructions indicated to not add to
the email load to just show agreement; therefore, some classmates
may have been attentive to the discussion, but "followed instructions"
so we see no postings. They could have been very active in
their sub-group.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/07)
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______________________________
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“So far, this course has been fantastic as far as content goes.
I wouldn't recommend making travel plans to places where there
is limited internet connectivity when you're on this course.
The online lectures are particularly helpful to hear instead
of trying to use the lecture notes. The case studies are tough
and time consuming, but really push the student to continue
to grasp the basic concepts of epi.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/08)
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______________________________
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“Just a comment about group work... I understand the need, but
it's challenging. It seems that those who are in the full MPH
or MHA program are spread too thin and lack the time to be
full participants in discussions. The same seems true for the
dental students. So it leaves the "grunt work" to those in
the certificate program or the "overachievers." The group assignments
are weighted less than the individual exams, so it seems that
a number of people just "wing it" and let others do the work
while they get equal credit.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/04)
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______________________________
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“Basically, there are a few people who contribute a good deal,
with others hit or miss at best.”
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Scott,
MHA student,
HPAX,
TA: Quaker
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/04)
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______________________________
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“This class needs to have more background info given about the
material. The instructors and the TA's assume that everyone
has a certain level of knowledge about epidemiology, but that
is not the case. The class needs to meet on line and go over
questions. The workload is way too strenuous. It seems as if
we are doing more busy work rather than learning concepts.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/11)
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______________________________
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“Subject matter is complex and course is well organized.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/08)
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______________________________
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“This has been very difficult because there are so many calculations
and there really is only one correct answer. If the group member
assigned to a question answers it first, it's hard for the
second group member to comment beyond, yeah, I agree, unless
the answer is just blatantly wrong. The course load is pretty
heavy having so much due each week and really difficult to
keep up with if you want to get the extra points. TA Reem is
really great and of course the instructor does make the work
load manageable, but it is A LOT to accomplish!!!”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/08)
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______________________________
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“Thoughtful course. It is amazing how complex epidemiology has
become in the last 30 years. I remember when it seemed like
simple division. Now it has become nuanced with subtle differences
and distinctions in terminology, meaning. Or maybe for the
first time I am being taught epidemiology.”
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Karl,
MPH student,
HPAX,
TA: Reem
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/04)
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______________________________
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“While it may be impossible to do, being able to talk, really
talk would be a great asset. The disconnect is really giving
me trouble.”
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Kenneth,
MPH student,
HPAX,
TA: Sudha
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/06/10)
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______________________________
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“Thanks for everything - it was a great course.”
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Nadia,
CERT student,
PHCP,
TA: Anne
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/04)
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______________________________
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“This course is a tremendous amount of work but it is well supported
by Vic, the TAs and exceptional course materials.”
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Kimberly,
MPH student,
HPAX,
TA: Anne
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/02)
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______________________________
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“I enjoyed learning about Epidemiology although I will not be
undertaking it as a career choice. I had a very good group
to work with. The course is very intense and for those of us
taking two courses - in some weeks it was very difficult to
stay on schedule. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/07)
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______________________________
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“Great class. I really learned a lot. Instructor and TAs went
out of their way to make sure I understood the material”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/07/30)
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______________________________
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“The small group was a wonderful way to bring a large, geographically
spread-out group closer together. Group 7 made my course experience
more real and much more enjoyable. The one piece of the group
dynamic I would like to see enhanced though is the powerless
feeling I had when group members took the opportunity to social
loaf. I trust my TA kept an eye on the group board and hopefully
contacted nonparticipants to encourage them to participate
but I was never able to figure out the best approach for persuading
non-interested students to engage with the group. It would
be nice to be armed with a few tools for how to approach this
situation should it occur; I would guess it's a fairly
common scenario.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/01)
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______________________________
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“This has been a wonderful experience for me. My cup of knowledge
towards Epidemiology runneth over and leaves me hungry for
more. I was very intimidated throughout the course with my
lack of "getting it" but I was constently encouraged by Kristen
when I would reach out for help. Kristen is a great asset to
this course with her patience and knowledge of Epi. She is
able to break an answer down so that those like myself who
are just "visiting" the subject area were able to understand
it. I would recommend this course to others and will use this
as an example that not all online courses are created equal!
This one was hard and challenging and rewarding all the same.
Thank you for the experience.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/05)
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______________________________
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“I really enjoyed the format with the groups and the case studies.
It was helpful to submit some questions individually for credit
prior to the group discussion forums ending.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/12)
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______________________________
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“I felt as though the group did a great job during a busy time
of the year. Thanks to Kristen and Vic for the great support
as well.”
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Gregory,
CERT student,
PHCP,
TA: Kristen
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/12)
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______________________________
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“Reem, Thanks so much for your guidance during the various discussions
and for providing clear and concise communication! Great job
on your live meeting. I think it would be very helpful to have
those more often. It helps to keep us connected and see a live
person who shares information with us.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/09)
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______________________________
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“The group experience was unsatisfactory. It would have been
nice if we could have connected by phone or in a chat session
to dscuss several of the problems.”
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Karl,
MPH student,
HPAX,
TA: Reem
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/04)
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______________________________
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“Thanks for all your help Reem with clarifications and for responding
so quickly to everything and keeping us on track. The course
was a lot of work and took a lot of time, but it was well taught.”
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Mitchell,
CERT student,
PHCP,
TA: Reem
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/10)
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“Everyone in our group contributed to my learning and I felt
like we did a good job supporting each other. Yea, Team 19!!!
I especially appreciated when Sudha would chime in during the
discussion to guide us in the right direction.”
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Danielle,
UNK student,
UNDC,
TA: Sudha
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/10)
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______________________________
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“Enjoyed EPID600. Although a substantial time commitment, it
is a worthwhile venture.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/10)
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______________________________
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“Sudha did a great job as TA - she was very helpful in guiding
us in our discussion when we got 'lost' with thoughtful and
stimulating comments. I really loved all of the live meetings
(I had to get them archived, but they were all well organized
with good, practical information.)”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/08)
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______________________________
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“I've already spoken well of the course personally and given
an account of a third party who used to be involved in setting
the educational bar for courses like this, but please feel
free to use that as you will.”
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Jeff,
CERT student,
PHCP,
TA: Sudha
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2007/08/11)
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(An additional 15 comments were received but the students did not
authorize their dissemination.)
2007b,
compiled 06/13/2007 |