Midterm evaluations, Fall 2006 Math21a

Thanks for filling out our internal midterm evaluations. Here is a summary:

Textbook:

Summary: Half half, some like it or are ok, some don't. We see the entire spectrum. There are complaints that some explanations are not clear enough. "Not enough concept explanations" come together with "Too wordy". Quotes: "Could use derivative charts". "Lots of busy work", "Well written book", "It sucks", "Only easy examples", No "chapter review problems".
What we will do about it: we want to clarify the parts which are not clear in class and point out, what parts one can ignore. Since this is a first edition, there are obviously some edges to be smoothed out.

Hourly:

Summary: Most found the exam difficult but fair. There were complaints about point taken off by propagating errors. Honorable quotes: "Fair exam", "Not fun", "Maybe too many trick questions on the TF part?"
What we will do about it: We think that examas should be challenging and that practice exams should have similar difficulty. Some wanted more practice problems. We will certainly have that for the final.

Homework:

Summary: Over 95 percent think the homework is just ok and has the right difficulty. We currently choose some of the most difficult homework problems in the book. Honorable quote: "Annoyed with questions with 2 hours work of algebra"
What we will do about it: Point out that there are many more "routine problems" in the book which can be used for practice. Point out that for heavy algebra problems, it is ok to be assisted by a computer algebra system.

Lectures:

Summary: Most sections were voted effective to very effective.
Honorable quote: Are classes well prepaired? "Absolutely"
What we will do about it: make it even more effective.

Website:

Summary: Everybody seems to think the website is good. Honoroable quote: "More handouts of sections". "Could there be more detailed lecture summaries?"
What we might do about it: We already have put more section handouts online. Also common review sheets could help before exams.

MQC

Summary: Those who go seem to like it. Need more people who know the 21a stuff. Honorable quote: "The CAs are very helpful."
What we will do aobut it: advertise it better.

Problem sessions

Summary Those who go, like it. Many of the problem sessions collide with athletics training. Honorable quotes: "Very Useful".
What we will do about it: Advertise it better. Coordinate some of the topics.