Student comments from EPID600 Summer 2008
(in order by date submitted -
click here for random order)
(About student comments)
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1:
“This course turned out to be more difficult, more educational
and more enjoyable than I expected. Thanks for making this
a challenging and phenomenal learning experience.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/01)
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3:
“EPID 600 has been great thus far. It is my first online class
and I have enjoyed it very much. It does take a little while
to get used to the pace and requirements of online learning,
but I think I am starting to get them down and I have started
enjoying the material.”
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Marty,
NOND student,
GRSV,
TA: Catherine
(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/06)
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4:
“Overall, we have a good team.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/09)
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5:
“A great course; rigorous at times, but I'm learning a great
deal. Thanks,”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/10)
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6:
“With the speed at which this course is paced, this is the first
real challenge to time I have experienced since I have enrolled
in the Core Cert in Public Health program. The requirements
actually feel like I am a full-time student and I love a challenge.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/09)
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8:
“Very comprehensive course. I am enjoying it so far and although
it is time consuming to go over the assignments the group activity
is very helpful.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/01)
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10:
“Overall, I'm very much enjoying the course. Both Vic and my
TA have been EXTREMELY responsive and communicative, and I
very much feel that the professors and TAs are here to support
my learning.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/05/31)
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11:
“The course forum has not been as enlightening as I had hoped.
I have learned much from BB discussion groups in classes I
have previously taken. This group seems to be protective of
their work, but it is early in the course and there have been
technical problems. Hopefully things will improve.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/02)
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12:
“It seems many students are new to the online format and structure
of courses in the program- perhaps some more clear guidelines
as to participation expectations and etiquette could be laid
out in the introductory lecture.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/06)
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13:
“The case studies are interesting and relevant.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/05)
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15:
“My remarks are based on modules 3 & 4. It's very hard to evaluate
what happened in module 2 without a "record" to refer too since
the discussion was done without the benefit of blackboard.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/02)
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19:
“I was surprised an a little dismayed that an assignment was
due on Memorial Day. I come from what you might call a "military
family" - we were celebrating the return of my cousin from
Iraq, where my brother has also served. My father is a Vietnam-era
vet; his uncle died in WWII. I found it insensitive to the
people who truly do set aside time on that day -- A FEDERAL
HOLIDAY -- to honor those who have served.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/06)
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20:
“I felt like assignments were scattered during this time between
the class website and Blackboard. Not sure if anyone is to
fault for that but my thought.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/05)
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21:
“This is a great course. I struggled a little with biostatistics
but Epid has helped me understand its importance. I recommend
it for all Public Health and Health care professionals.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/03)
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22:
“Setting up a specific time for live meetings as a whole or
as a group would be nice. So that students can know way in
advance and not the day of. This would give more people the
oportunity to interact much quicker with everyone and not just
a few members from the group at a time.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/08)
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23:
“Thus far all of the people in our group have contributed significantly
to each assignment.”
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(1st peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/06/03)
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24:
“I really enjoyed working with my group members. They are very
intellectual but willing to share their knowledge with those
of us who got lost along the way.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/07/29)
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25:
“The groups are nice, but I think if there was a way to facilitate
more ongoing discussion it would be more useful.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/07)
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26:
“My TA, Catherine, was fantastic. She was very helpful in spurring
discussing and making sure we stayed on the right track with
our postings. She always took the time to explain concepts
and answer questions that we had posted in a timely manner.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/06)
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27:
“This was a rigorous course that required a great deal of work
and thought. It provided a firm foundation for the study of
epidemiology, whether academic or applied. Particularly important
in the course was the work done in groups. The group studies
allowed for development of interpersonal and working skills
and was an incredible teaching technique as we in our group
supported each other in learning and mastery of the course
material. I would like to take the course a second time to
further explore the topics we covered.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/13)
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28:
“I think just about everyone has had an extenuating circumstance
this semester and I do not think anyone should be counted very
low for not having fully participated in one discussion.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/07/29)
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29:
“Thank you Dr. Schoenbach and Catherine V. for being supportive
and extremely patient. Although this was a difficult course
for me, I still learned a tremendous amount. I have a new found
perspective on all of the outcomes that I read about or hear
about these days. EPI600 is not for the faint of heart, or
those who haven't studied math in 20+ years. However, I'd do
it again and recommend it to anyone interested in learning
more about the fundamentals of epidemiology.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/09)
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30:
“Jenn is a fabulous TA... there have been many times when I
would have been lost if not for her always clear and helpful
guidance. She made this a great learning experience for me!
Thanks Jenn!”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/07/28)
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31:
“Out of all of the classes I took for this course, this was
one of the most accessible in regards to the instructor, TA
and coursework. Thank you very much!”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/08)
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32:
“It was very difficult to assess individuals in our group (##5)
because everyone did such a great job. I have been in groups
in the past where some members were clearly active and excellent
and others were just doing the minimum to get by. It was difficult
to grade everyone, as this group worked really well together.
I would like to say that Elyn, Lara, and Connie stand out in
my mind as being some of the best group members I have worked
with as they did such a good job working together every week
on the group consensus papers.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/07/30)
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34:
“As far as evaluating our peers, I do not necessarily feel comfortable
giving out numerical grades. I think that the way in which
we set up the course (i.e. breaking into small groups) is going
to naturally create a bias in peer grading. I think that it
would be fine to ask about participation and the other questions
that we can mark with a sliding scale, but as far as a numerical
value, I do not feel confident assigning people numerical grades.
Truly enjoyed the class...Thanks for a great semester”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/14)
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35:
“The group seemed never to fully gel as a community of learners.
We were hampered by changing group members and disruptions
early on in blackboard. More team building early on would have
enhanced the group experience.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/07)
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36:
“I have really enjoyed this course more than I ever thought
I would. However, I did feel like the lectures dabbled in minutia
too much. I also would recommend the course leaders keep in
mind that although epidemiology is an extremely important concept
in public health, it is not the crux upon which it all hinges.
Sometimes the reading and workload was a bit overwhelming.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/11)
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37:
“Joe is our TA. He is a nice person and was always very supportive.
I would like to thank him for being so patient. All my questions
and answers, especially when I was a group facilitator, were
very extensive. Although he was burdened by a great amount
of demanding group discussions/ students, he always helped
me with my "issues" in a timely manner. I have been
working for years as a medical doctor in Public Health in Brazil.
This course provided me a good understanding of prevention
and controlling of disease and how to promote health. Epidemiology
is the tool that I can use to better evaluate health conditions
allowing better use of resources. For those ones, as me, that
love public health, epidemiology is not only a tool- it is
"the" tool.”
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Gla,
CERT student,
PHCP,
TA: Joe
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/08)
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38:
“Joe's Group ##9 was really a great team. The group was very
respectful and EVERYONE contributed to a successful submission
each week. I'm glad that I was with this nice group of people
- from whom I've learned a lot!”
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Rebecca,
MPH student,
PUBX,
TA: Joe
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/07/31)
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39:
“I learned a lot in the course even though it was a little challenging.
I really enjoyed this class. The instructor and TA were helpful
and great. I wish everyone in this group all the best.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/07)
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40:
“I feel that more learning occurred in Epid 600 through the
group work on the case studies. The exams 1 and 2 were very
difficult and was reflected in the overall grades. I think
the exams should eliminate the multiple choice questions and
this would help the overall grades. When a question can be
more subjective, learning occurs.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/07/29)
Show comments in random order.
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41:
“I enjoyed this class. It was a headache at times because sometimes
I didn't realize that I didn't understand something until it
was too late. The group work was such a good learning tool
for me. Without the weekly discussions and great group members
who contributed to the discussion often, I would have not been
as successful as I was in the class. It was also nice to see
the epidemiology applied to my everyday life. I view studies
differently now. I value recommendations more for I have a
glimpse of the process and the environment from which it came.”
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Maureen,
CERT student,
PHCP,
TA: Leah
(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/14)
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43:
“I didn't feel that the case studies were particularly helpful
when it came to the test, however, the final paper review brought
a lot of things together at the end. I lust wish the piece
were easier to understand earlier in the game. I would also
like to suggest that clearer discussions and notes would have
been more helpful. Overall my TA and instructor were very easy
to work with and that was a plus.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/07)
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44:
“THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT CLASS. FOR ME I THINK I WOULD HAVE LIKED
MORE INFORMATION GEARED TOWARD PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED INFORMATION
IN EPIDEMIOLOGY. I AM STILL LEARNING.”
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(2nd peer evaluation,
Internet course,
2008/08/07)
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(An additional 8 comments were received but the students did not
authorize their dissemination.)
2008b,
compiled 06/11/2008 |