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Hi Dean,

> 2 - We have an entirely on-line peer evaluation system.  Our 
> programmer set it
> up, works like a charm, plus allows additional analysis of data over 
> time that 
> is so hard when you use paper.  If you have a computer wizard who 
> would like
> to speak with our guy, let me know.
I'm really interested in how this works.  I tried on-line evaluations 
last spring and it was a fiasco. The students were allowed to either 
input via computer or via cell-phone. They could scan a bar code with 
their cell phones and go directly to the evaluation or access it through 
our class blackboard page. The problem was that most of them chose to 
use their cell phones and most of the comments input via cell phone were 
very short and general.  Our Japanese cell phones (at least the one I 
own and the ones most of my students use) are a real pain in the #%*! 
when it comes to inputting English comments (though their Japanese input 
capabilities are top notch).  I also ended up having to chase down a 
good number of students who "forgot" to input their evaluations.

I have returned to using paper evaluations with my fall TBL class this 
year and was overjoyed with the insightful comments they wrote. Of 
course that meant I was back to inputting all of their comments onto the 
blackboard gradebook by hand, which took two days.

I can't help but think there is a better way . . .but it eludes me.  I 
wish I could borrow your "computer wizard." 

I know, I know, you're all thinking--"you're in Japan, you've got great 
technology!"  My reply is--"yeah, but all of the workaholic technical 
wizards around me are too busy killing themselves doing their own jobs 
to help the foreign teacher."

Sorry for the rant!!

Thanks always for the interesting ideas!

Christine


-- 
*******
Christine Kuramoto, Assistant Professor: Medical English
Kyushu University, Department of Medical Education
Faculty of Medical Sciences
3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582 Japan
Phone: (+81)92-642-6186 Fax: (+81)92-642-6188
E-mail: [log in to unmask]