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Appendix P

Analysis of TAPS PackagesQuestionnaire

Please go through the questions in this document and try to answer them as carefully as possible

Most of the questions relateto the computer packages you have just used.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence

On the following two sections are a list of questions about yourself and your familiarity with computers. Please respond either by ticking the appropriate box or by writing the relevant answer on the dotted lines provided.

Please indicate your name here………………………………………1. Your major………………………………………………………….2.

A. EXPERIENCE WITH COMPUTING

(a) Do you have a computer at HOME?3.

Yes No

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(b) If YES, how much do you use it?

Daily Weekly Monthly Rarely Never

(a) Do you have access to a computer at University/Hostel?4.

Yes No

(b) If YES, how much do you use it?


On the whole, can you operate it without help of a user manual or other person?5.

Yes No Not applicable

How much do you enjoy using a computer?6.

Not at all Quite a lot

Not much Very much

Unsure Not applicable

7. How often did you use a computer at school?


8. (a) Have you received any computer related educational training/course?

Yes No

(b) Which type(s) of educational training/course did you receive?

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Education: Certificate in Information Technology

Software applications: Database Spreadsheet

Word processing Internet Multimedia Graphics AutoCAD

If other, please specify…………………………………

9. Can you program in any computer languages?

Yes No

10. (a) Have you used any computer aided learning package before?

Yes No

(b) If YES, was it in engineering subjects?

Yes No Not applicable

Please specify the topics covered………………………………………..

1 2 3 4 5 |……….………..…..|…..…….…………..|…………………….|……………….……|Strongly Agree Uncertain Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree

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B. EVALUATION OF THE TAPS PACKAGES

Given below are a number of statements about the TAPS packages, please indicate your response for each statement, using the scale above. For example, if you feel that you strongly agree about the statement, then tick in the box next to the statement. There are no right and wrong answers, please give the response closest to your own feelings.

COMPUTING KNOWLEDGE 1 2 3 4 511 The packages do not require any knowledge of computing. 12 I could not learn much because I spend time getting to know how to use

the package.

13 After using the TAPS packages I became more confident in learning from a computer.

14 It was difficult enough to tackle the selected engineering problems without having to struggle with the computer.

15 The system can be used sufficiently without any manuals. 16 Normally I find these types of problems to be very simple, but I could

not see how to solve the problems by using a computer.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER MEDIA 1 2 3 4 517 I would prefer to learn from a human tutor than from these packages. 18 It would have been a better improvement to have a tutor close by, so that

I could ask questions.

19 I liked problem solving in the subject matter with these packages, because it’s like being one to one basis with the tutor.

20 I was left with a lot of unanswered questions after using the packages. 21 This form of problem solving and learning was really clear, because

unlike an instructor, the program does not miss out a lot of steps.

22 It is easier to get involved solving Engineering Mechanics problems using these packages than in a classroom tutorial.

23 I prefer a textbook because I can flip it forward and backwards.

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COMPARISON WITH OTHER MEDIA 1 2 3 4 524 It’s much easier to understand the problem solving steps by using these

packages than reading an Engineering Mechanics textbook because these packages are interactive and uses multimedia (2-D/3-D animations) in it’s contents.

25 It was good to be able to discover the relationships between variables and engineering concepts, which I could not see in the textbooks.

26 I would rather learn Engineering Mechanics by working problems using pencil and paper.

27 I like learning and solving Engineering Mechanics problems this way because I can see how it’s done, rather than asking someone to explain it.

INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBILITY 1 2 3 4 528 These TAPS packages are only appropriate for advanced students of

engineering.

29 The computer usage got harder just as I got better at the problems. 31 I knew how to solve the problems, but the TAPS packages persisted in

following its long and laborious steps.

32 The TAPS packages kept adjusting its advice according to my needs and progress.

33 I could not go into the more demanding material without having to go through the easier stuff again.

ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE/TEACHING 1 2 3 4 534 I did not need any previous knowledge of engineering to use the TAPS

packages.

35 I have gained a good introduction to the concept of solving Engineering Mechanics problems.

36 I think the TAPS packages are only useful for students who are already familiar with Engineering Mechanics and want to improve.

37 It is difficult to learn Engineering Mechanics with these TAPS packages. 38 The packages give a very good background on solving the Engineering

Mechanics problems.

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ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE/TEACHING 1 2 3 4 539 Most students would find it hard to solve Engineering Mechanics

problems using the TAPS packages.

40 The TAPS packages allow me to fully test my understanding of engineering mechanics.

41 After using the TAPS packages I still do not understand how to solve Engineering Mechanics problems.

42 After using the TAPS packages I can easily use my knowledge to solve Engineering Mechanics problems better.

43 I would find it easy to use these TAPS packages to teach someone else about engineering mechanics.

44 The TAPS packages have helped improve my knowledge by guiding me through the learning process.

45 I would like to learn solving other problems in Engineering Mechanics topics using these packages.

46 The TAPS packages allowed me to learn an accurate problem solving steps of Engineering Mechanics and corrected my mistakes.

47 Even now I do not understand the problems presented in the TAPS packages.

ERROR MESSAGES AND DOCUMENTATION 1 2 3 4 548 The computer messages displayed on the screen were good enough to

guide me when I got stuck.

49 The error messages were unhelpful. 50 I liked the TAPS packages because it helped by displaying messages

about what to do whenever I made any mistakes.

51 The computer messages displayed on the screen were good enough to guide me when I got stuck.

52 The TAPS packages should not allow you to enter any incorrect values. 53 The TAPS packages are so unforgiving, it does not allow me to do

anything else, until I provide the correct answer.

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ERROR MESSAGES AND DOCUMENTATION 1 2 3 4 554 There should be an error message if I enter an incorrect negative, positive

numbers or symbols (i.e. “/”,“[“).

55 I like the way the TAPS packages gave explanation when I made a mistake.

56 The TAPS packages directly give explanations without giving me another chance.

57 It was a good idea to have the TAPS packages display a small hint whenever I got the answer wrong before giving the correct answer.

ERROR MESSAGES AND DOCUMENTATION 1 2 3 4 558 The TAPS packages provide good feedback only when you have entered

an answer.

59 The TAPS packages did not give enough praise for the correct answer. 60 The TAPS packages helped me with every step in solving the

Engineering Mechanics problems.

61 Through the feedback I immediately knew whether I was right or wrong. 62 The explanations provided by the TAPS packages were hard to

understand.

63 The explanations showed clearly why I had got the wrong answer. 64 The TAPS packages gives the same type of feedback at all times

regardless of what I have done.

65 The TAPS packages give individual feedback to each student depending upon how far they have progressed to the solution.

66 It would be better if clearer explanation of the aim of the problem solving exercises and the required information to complete the exercises had been given.

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ROUTE THROUGH TAPS PACKAGES 1 2 3 4 567 I never knew what all the items on the various buttons meant. 68 The instructions given on how to proceed through the problem-solving

task were unclear.

69 I like learning and problem solving in this approach, because you can check over things and do not repeat the same mistakes again and again.

70 Sometimes I found it hard to keep track about which bits/chunks of tutorial I have completed.

71 The TAPS packages allowed me to solve the problem presented in multiple orders.

72 I would have found it more helpful to be given a suggested route through the TAPS packages.

73 The prompts, asking me to enter text/numeric/symbols, were not clear from the screen.

74 I want to be able to stop the exercise and go back to the problem solving tutorial, and then return where I left off.

75 On screen problem solving tutorial are difficult to follow. 76 It provided little understanding of what you are doing or how to do it. CONTROL OF LEARNING AND PROBLEM SOLVING 1 2 3 4 577 I felt the TAPS packages allowed me to work at my own pace and

directions.

78 I found the TAPS packages were too slow because I could do the exercise much more quickly with pencil and paper.

79 It was too quick, I would like more control of how much time I was given to solve the problems.

80 I wanted slower speed in the beginning and quicker when I got some experience, but the TAPS packages kept on at the same speed which was annoying.

81 I learnt a lot about problem solving task in the subject matter by trying different things with the TAPS packages.

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RETENTION AND LEARNING 1 2 3 4 582 I am sure I will retain most of what I have learnt. 83 I learnt a lot from the TAPS packages, by learning how to solve various

Engineering Mechanics problem.

84 If I use the TAPS packages again, I could solve similar problems quicker. 85 I will not be able to solve the problems if they are presented in a different

format/order than these packages.

HELP FACILITY 1 2 3 4 586 I would prefer more help from these TAPS packages. 87 The help facility should have given a few hints, rather than the correct

answer.

88 The TAPS packages do not offer much help where it is most wanted. 89 The TAPS packages gave a general help every time instead of context

sensitive help.

FUNCTIONS OR KEYS 1 2 3 4 590 I found it very difficult to know which buttons/keys corresponded to the

command I wanted.

91 When navigating through the packages, I found I was clear which options I was allowed to select.

92 I didn’t like some of the buttons/keys, I sometimes got lost because of them.

93 When I was going through the TAPS package(s), pressing the same key would produce a different command.

94 I got confused because same command was available through different keys in different screen.

95 It was easy to exit from a particular route through the packages. 96 I could not skip some parts of the problem solving tutorials.

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FUNCTIONS OR KEYS 1 2 3 4 597 I could not skip some parts of the exercises. 98 It was easy to delete any answer, which, I knew was wrong. 99 I was not allowed to answer a question in the exercises provided more

than one time.

USER TOOLS (CALCULATOR / NOTEPAD / GLOSSARY / CHARACTER MAP TABLE)

1 2 3 4 5

100 The calculator facility was very useful. 101 I found it hard to use the calculator to transfer the answer to the

package.

102 Calculator should be customized to have more functions, which are needed to solve the problems.

103 The notepad was very useful in that I could type/make important notes and save it for reference.

104 The glossary of commands table was very useful in that I could look up / search for a related word of the problem matter and understand its meaning better.

105 The character map table was very useful as it contain important symbols unavailable on the standard keyboard and allowed me to copy and paste into the textboxes on the screen.

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ON SCREEN 1 2 3 4 5106 The screen layout presented an easy way to communicate with the

computer.

107 Sometimes I was confused by the large amount of information on the screen.

108 The way the problem is presented on the screen makes it easy to work out the solution.

109 There was not enough information on the screen for me to solve the exercise questions.

110 The screen was attractive and clear

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PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ON SCREEN 1 2 3 4 5111 The colors on the screen were confusing 112 The TAPS packages looked dull and boring. 113 I like to see the different font types, sizes and colors in the packages. HOLISTIC SYSTEM 1 2 3 4 5114 I did not like the TAPS packages on the whole. 115 I really liked using the TAPS packages because it was fun to use. 116 I enjoyed using the packages, but it could have been improved more, so I

would be tempted to use it again.

117 I simply used the TAPS packages to read what is on the screen. 118 The learning process went on too long. 119 It is easy to use the packages and does not require much practice to be

familiar.

120 I would prefer, if I could be given problem-solving exercises using these sorts of packages.

121 The packages did not manage to convince me that I could learn the problem solving techniques/method better.

122 I liked the way the packages coach in solving the problems. 123 It is a good way to revise something that I have forgotten. 124 The packages are very helpful especially for a student like me. OVERALL PERCEPTION 1 2 3 4 5125 Most students may not be interested to use such TAPS packages to assists

them in learning the subject matter.

126 I solved some of the exercise questions but was not sure why the answer(s) were incorrect.

127 I would like to have more problem solving examples.

128. Apart from any issues discussed previously, what other features you find contributed to the:

(a) STRENGTH of the TAPS packages………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………..

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(b) WEAKNESS of the TAPS packages…………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………..

(c) SUGGESTIONS for improvement…………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………..

PLEASE CHECK IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

Appendix P - IGI Global

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