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Benefits of the Exercise

Students were asked to complete a questionnaire after the end of the course. One item on this questionnaire asked them to list the best and worse features of the Zog assignment. All students completed the questionnaire.

38% of the students commented that it forced them to thoroughly learn and understand the course material. Typical quotes include:

You pretty much learned the course material to complete the task.

We were able to apply some of the knowledge gained during the course to solve an actual problem.

A very original assignment - led to some of the most interesting conversations I've had. Gave me a great understanding of the course.

Though provoking, motivational. Tied in nicely with the lectures. Very challenging. Interesting, exciting in the context that it was constructed along the lines of real-world astronomy.

Had to use your brain to work out the puzzle. Took lots of thought and made you apply lecture material.

31% of students commented that this exercise forced them to think hard. Typical quotes include:

You have to think for yourself.

Getting to do lots of thinking in a realistic context.

I lay awake every night for a week thinking about it.

Getting to do lots of thinking in a realistic context.

The only assignment that made me think, rather than reach for a text book.

Real life situations where you have to think as real astronomers do. I thought this was very good and very important.

I was compelled to do the assessment task especially early because it was so goddamn interesting.

No other issues were raised by more than 10% of the class. I conclude that the exercise succeeded in making students thoroughly think through and learn the course material.


next up previous
Next: Problems with the Exercise Up: Case Study 1: The Previous: Running the Exercise
Paul Francis 2001-06-21