Survey of first and second year mathematics students

Question 1

Would you prefer me to:
(1) continue giving live online lectures which are uploaded to YouTube once they are delivered; or
(2) change to pre-recorded lectures/podcasts followed by online Q&A sessions?
Why?

Question 2

Would you prefer me to stick with Zoom or for me to start using Blackboard Collaborate or Microsoft Teams instead? Why?

Question 3

Are there aspects of the module content or delivery that: (1) you particularly like; (2) you feel could be improved?

Feedback on Question 1

Complete feedback from 157 respondents is available here. About 90% of respondents were eager/happy for me to coninue with recorded live lectures. A biased selection of student comments is:

• I like the online sessions because it's not as lonely
  
  
• Live lectures as they are more interactive and I don't get bored
  
  
• (1) because I have a certain time set when I have to do Maths
  
  
• 1. I prefer live lectures that are uploaded later. So much easier to keep up with material when it's live. Also, it creates a nice class atmosphere that we don't have in other modules that are pre recorded.
  
  
• Live! It gives everyone a chance to engage in the material straight away and ask questions straight away if needed. You don't feel as lost when it's live. The live lectures are so fun and exciting. It also gives me some structure to the day as this is the only live class I have and it's hard to keep up with everything being pre-recorded
  
  
• Continue with online lectures as I feel it's more like a class environment
  
  
• (1). Watching maths live allows you to ask a question about the exact moment you lose focus and understanding of the topic and you can get an answer and understand. If you watch a pre-recorded lesson and you don't understand part of a question you won't understand the rest and as such you get lost.
  
  
• Online lectures as it provides a routine for me knowing what exact time I've got to be at my desk for.
  
  
• Keep doing live lectures i think your very good at them and it gives a set time to be on my laptop fo maths class
  
  
• Live on-line lectures please. It's the only live class I have. Gives structure to the day.
  
  
• (1) The interactive aspect of live lectures make it much more enjoyable and help me remember what we learn. The maths lectures are my only live lectures all week so they're often the highlight of my school day.
  
  
• Live on-line. I find your lessons much more productive then the prerecorded lectures I have.
  
  
• (1) live on-line lectures, I find it's easier to learn from live lectures rather than pre-recorded ones
  
  
• (1) I would prefer live sessions as they allow us to ask questions as the material is introduced, and any other pre-recorded lectures I've had tend to lack the atmosphere and energy of the live sessions, and if you continue to upload to YouTube, then the students can treat them as if they're pre-recorded anyway.
  
  
• Definitely live on-line, the live aspect alone makes your lectures my favorite
  
  
• I like the live lectures because it gives it structure to the week and we can interact as we go along.when you ask the questions it makes us focus on what we're doing more than if we're just watching a recorded video and we can get feedback on what we think is the answer, so I think this is really good.
  
  
• (1) I find it more enjoyable and less tedious to sit through a live class than to watch a pre recorded video . Also I feel I learn better being able to ask questions etc and seeing other people's inputs / questions on the topic . Out of all my modules , mathematics is the one I'm enjoying the most and I feel it is being taught in the best way - hopefully people will take a leaf from your book , keep up the great work Graham !!
  
  
• Live, it gives more interaction, allows people to ask question and gives routine which makes it easier
  
  
• (1). This way it would be easier to keep track of the lecture by asking questions if needed) during the session rather than getting lost during the lecture and waiting till the Q&A session.
  
  
• Definitely 1. Online live are brilliant because they keep the module organised to a single time frame in the week. The notes are done together with you. I take it in better that way
  
  
• (1) as I'm not the one setting when lectures take place thus avoiding procrastination
  
  
• Continue live and upload once they are delivered, I feel as if it's almost as close to being in a real live lecture
  
  
• Continue with live on-line lectures because it feels more like an actual lecture than a prerecorded lecture and they motivate me to get up in the morning to attend them.
  
  
• 1. Honestly, I enjoy the rapid response between the class and the lecturer. In times like these, it reminds me of what it's like to be in a regular class environment, even if I'm still in my bedroom.
  
  
• 1) because the live classes are more engaging and the interaction with questions after the recording is finished is really helpful
  
  
• 1. Much prefer live lectures, find prerecorded stuff very dull
  
  
• live on-line. I much prefer the ma2286 lectures to all of my other pre-recorded material.
  
  
• I would prefer if we continued doing the lectures on line with recordings on youtube as i find the live lectures are enjoyable and possibly even more passionate when given to a live audience
  
  
• 1!!! I find your Live on-line lectures to be much more engaging and therefore productive than all my other modules which are pre recorded. I think that especially for maths the live format works better.
  
  
• I really prefer the online lectures. This class is the only class in which all lectures are online, and I find that it is far easier to listen and keep up to date with work when the classes are online and there is some interaction between lecturers and students.
  
  
• (1) There's better student - teacher interaction, I like the routine of having to attend live lectures.
  
  
• continue giving live online lectures that are uploaded to youtube as it gives a sense of being in the class during that time the live chat with other students helps along.
  
  
• I would prefer to continue with the live online lectures. I find that the live lectures bring a sense of humanity and community to learning and to the university experience in general. Although pre-recorded lectures have positive attributes, I feel that they can feel detached and almost robotic at times. The live lectures give you a feeling that you are, at least, attending a university.
  
  
• Option 1 because I feel more engaged in the process. It also motivates more to actually get up for the lectures as I know that they will be at a certain time and live.
  
  
• Online as it's easier to concentrate
  
  
• Please continue on line live as it feels way more interactive. We can ask questions and interact with other class mates which we cant get with pre recorded.
  
  
• Live lectures. I think live lectures are more interactive and questions can be asked as you are teaching so if someone is stuck on something small, they won't have to watch the rest of the lecture without knowing what's happening.
  
  
• I would prefer you to continue giving live lectures if possible. While they seem quite stressful for you to do, I find that the interaction in your lectures is brilliant when it comes to the final understanding of the content.
  
  
• Live on line lectures: It's great that the lesson is interactive and we can participate rather than watching a video. It makes it more enjoyable.
  
  
• Continue giving on-line lectures and then uploading to youtube. I personally find it much easier to learn live when you can ask questions and receive an answer straight away. It also helps to hear other students asking the same questions you have or things you might not have thought of. For most of us it is one of the only opportunities we have to interact with any of our fellow students as the majority of other lectures are pre-recorded. It's more of a real college experience and all round more fun !
  
  
• I would prefer you to keep the lectures live online. I find them interactive and engaging when you ask us to type answers in chat. Any wrong answers guessed I can clearly see and understand why, if, they are wrong. This helps me grasp the concepts better as I find maths hard
  
  
• (1)Live online lectures because I like thee explanations and bit of interactive learning that I get through the live lectures. The prerecorded ones can feel quite distant and are far more difficult to keep paying attention to.
  
  
• online live lectures as they are easy to follow and can ask questions as problems arise and also students are more likely to do them when they have a set time rather than doing it whenever they feel. The youtube uploads are also helpful for revision and looking back over
  
  
• I prefer the live lectures as I feel that taking down the down and doing the questions at the same time as you really helps.
  
  
• I think the recorded live lectures are a good idea as I can imagine it is easier to speak to an audience than just a camera. Also this way, people who are behind or missed lectures can still catch up.
  
  
• Continue giving live on-line lectures which are uploaded to YouTube once they are delivered. Live lectures helps to keep up with the content but if you are unable to watch it live, the fact that they are recorded helps also
  
  
• Live because I feel I am actually learning something instead of just watching it and getting no feedback or banter.
  
  
• I like this format, the lectures are handy and personal and it's great to have the videos as well
  
  
• Live lectures because we can interact with the class
  
  
• 1 I feel it is a good environment to learn in and if there is any questions we can ask in the moment
  
  
• 1 it's easier to ask questions as we go
  
  
• Live online lectures as they provide more information and explanation and we can participate and ask questions on the spot.
  
  
• 1. live lectures are great for asling questions or if somebody doesnt understand something you are able to explain it again.
  
  
• 1, because it cause more interaction with you and each other in these times and if you just went by prerecorded lectures, it would cause us to falla bit out of touch it i believe it is better to learn when you are then in person (or behind a screen) insteac of watching a video.
  
  
• I prefer to continue with the live lectures which are uploaded to youtube, easier to ask questions and follow the material when the lectures are live.
  
  
• 1 as it gives a more interactive feel to the class and with the chat it makes it engaging as to with a pre recorded video which would be harder to engage with
  
  
• Live lectures, they are better for interaction and asking questions
  
  
• 1 continue live lectures. It's easier to ask questions and to remeber to watch lectures.
  
  
• 1 please. It has a lot more banter and gives a clear structure for the day.
  
  
• Online lectures. I think it would be more interactive than the second option, and I am learning a lot.
  
  
• 1, your lectures cover a lot of content while still being interactive and fun!
  
  
• Live sessions as it's less time consuming because the Q and A can be included in the session for a few minutes, as opposed to dedicating a whole hour for Q&A
  
  
• I'd prefer live online lectures, because of the interaction I can have with others.
  
  
• (1) As I prefer the interactive side and being able to ask questions
  
  
• 1, please!! Much easier to concentrate and take in when it is live and harder to become distracted
  
  
• Continue with live online lectures as following along as you do explanations and examples live is much easier because we can ask questions and interact with you and other students during the lecture.
  
  
• the former, it's nice to be able to interact as the lesson goes on.
  
  
• (1), as it's far nicer for us to have someone answer our questions in real time
  
  
• 100% continue with live on-line lectures. Some of my other lecturers prefer to make pre-recorded videos and upload them at a regular basis, which I suppose makes sense from their standpoint, as it is much less hassle than hosting live lectures and having to deal with the array of problems associated with such teaching. However, the problem with pre-recorded lectures is that it's much easier on the mentality to miss those rather than live lectures.... whether or not that's my personal dilemma, or a global aspect of learning, I feel that the set timetable for live lectures provides a much more rich learning experience. The opportunity to further inquire about a certain topic covered in a lecture is also something that becomes a negation of being should the lectures be pre-recorded, as opposed to live on-line,
  
  
• Continue giving live lectures. It makes it easier to understand where you are going when working out a solution.
  
  
• Continue with live lectures. Much more interactive and engaging
  
  
• Ive been finding the live online lectures very good and having them recorded and uploaded to youtube is a very good resource to have.
  
  
• (1) I feel like live lectures are easier for students to engage with (ask questions etc) plus having lectures at a fixed time provides some much needed structure to the day
  
  
• The live lectures are great, they are more engaging, its easier to ask for help if there is something I don't understand.
  
  
• Online lectures which are recorded and uploaded as I think I would find it difficult to schedule in watching lectures for every module before I have the live lecture.
  
  
• 1) Continue with live online lectures as it's more interactive and feels more like a real lecture
  
  
• 1. It helps to keep organised.
  
  
• (1) because I like live lectures, feels more interactive
  
  
• Definitely continue live zoom lectures
  
  
• (1) Because it has a more on-campus lecture like atmosphere to it than (2)
  
  
• (1) continue giving online live lectures. I find seeing mathematics done live in front of me is the way one should always teach maths. I am also able to ask questions if need be. Gives the sense that I am actually in a lecture hall.
  
  
• (1) You seem to welcome questions during the live lectures anyway!
  
  
• Continue giving live on-line lectures which are uploaded to YouTube once they are delivered
  
  
• 1 because we can ask you questions in real time.
  
  
• (1) continue giving live on-lien lectures, as they are easier to learn from and they make me attend them at the set time. Also by uploading them to YouTube after it is easy to go over them again with our own notes to get a better understanding of the topic.
  
  
• Live lectures are so much better as we can give feedback and ask questions if we dont understand
  
  
• (1) - it most resembles a normal lecture
  
  
• (1) I prefer real time learning where we can ask questions while you explain the concepts.
  
  
• 1, it's nice to be able to engage with the other students through the chat function for clarification on something when we are confused, and feedback from classmates is almost instant as we are all watching the same thing at the same time
  
  
• 1) I like that it's in real time and interactive
  
  
• 1 as it is easier to ask questions as you are going through a problem
  
  
• Continue with Live lectures without a doubt. I'm much more engaged when it's live, and it being uploaded onto Youtube means I can go back over the lecture the same way as if it was prerecorded.
  
  
• 1. It most resembles the lecture room atmosphere and makes it easier to learn when questions are being asked then and there.
  
  
• stick to online ones. So that questions can be asked live.
  
  

Feedback on Question 2

Complete feedback from 157 respondents is available here. About 90% of respondents were eager/happy for me to coninue using Zoom. A biased selection of comments is:

• Zoom. Much better on poor WiFi, all BB collaborate stuff is terrible on my WiFi.
  
  
• Zoom is the best, blackboard is harder to load
  
  
• I would prefer you to stick to Zoom because often other classes on Blackboard don't work as well; audio and video is sometimes not very good on blackboard.
  
  
• Continue using zoom. Blackboard collaborate glitched a lot and wasn't showing us slides as the lecturer clicked through them when we had a physics lecture
  
  
• Zoom, the set up is nicer compared to Collaborate or teams
  
  
• Zoom is a better software I think - I've experienced lagging / crashing when in large lectures on blackboard collaborate , also I think you can only have maximum 250 students in blackboard live !
  
  
• Zoom , can't access anything else on mobile phine
  
  
• I would recommend staying with Zoom. I have had experiences with blackboard and microsoft teams, and there is often a myriad of technical problems that I have noticed having used them, typically with connectivity. Over Zoom, I have not noticed any problems in your lectures. Maybe one could argue about other features being better in other platforms but, for me, being able to understand my lecturer without digital hinderances, such as lag spikes, takes the priority.
  
  
• Zoom is fine. It is easy to use and follow the chat. I personally don't like Blackboard Collaborate, it is confusing and it is harder to follow the chat.
  
  
• zoom. there's a lot of different platforms being used by different lectures but i feel zoom is the most straightforward.
  
  
• Zoom. The delivery of these lectures have been the best so far among all my modules.
  
  
• i would prefer to stick with zoom because sound quality is better`with zoom
  
  
• Zoom is good there seems to be better connection
  
  
• Zoom. It's nice to see some peoples cameras on and the opportunity to talk afterwards is nice.
  
  
• stick with zoom, works much more smooth than the other platforms
  
  
• Zoom as it has a better quality of audio and video and probably easier to screen share for yourself
  
  
• Zoom works well for a live lecture. I've had lectures on blackboard collaborate and it didn't work as well
  
  
• Zoom, I much prefer the lay out and teaching on zoom than I do any other outlet I use for other modules
  
  
• Zoom Blackboard locks people out when there's too many
  
  
• Zoom as it is a more stable platform than the others
  
  
• Zoom, as more students can join then just 250 on bb collaborate. I find zoom easier to access through many devices also.
  
  
• zoom, blackboard collaborate has never worked as successfully as zoom has. our physics lecture on bb collaborate was horrendous
  
  
• Zooms the best in my opinion. Blackboards really poor with large numbers in a group becomes much more laggy and distorted if a good few have cameras and mics on comparred to zoom. From my experience teams can have issues with video calls.
  
  
• Zoom. It has been working great so far.
  
  
• I think Zoom is good, definitely better than blackboard because you can't see the full screen and every time someone sends a message into the chat it makes a sound over the speakers which is very distracting. Zoom is good because you can see and hear everything clearly in full screen mode
  
  
• Any of the above could be suited for this although zoom seems to be the best quality for sound and visual.
  
  
• Zoom. It's easier to use than blackboard collaborate
  
  
• Zoom 100% as its much easier to use.
  
  
• Zoom as blackboard and teams wouldn't work as well
  
  
• i think zoom is better, it seems smoover then the lecutres of the other teachers in the diffrent apps
  
  
• Zoom is working far better than Collaborate/ Teams, definitely stick with it
  
  
• Zoom works as I find most people are more familiar with it and its easier to navigate.
  
  
• Zoom works fine for me. It runs smoothly.
  
  
• Zoom, best tool I've seen a lecturer use so far.
  
  
• Zoom is good
  
  
• Stick with zoom, cleaner and easier to use
  
  
• I don't mind really. Zoom seems to be the easiest one to manage so I'm ok with sticking to zoom.
  
  
• zoom is easiest to operate
  
  
• Zoom is the best in my opinion as it is better laid out then the others.
  
  
• Zoom, it has a much nicer user interface and usability
  
  
• I like zoom. It's clear and understand
  
  
• Zoom. Zoom has been working perfectly.
  
  
• Zoom, I like the format of zoom opposed to the other options, if I had to choose a different one it would be Microsoft teams since you can create a different team for each module and everything is available in one place
  
  
• Zoom seems best.
  
  
• Zoom is fine, don't think it needs to change cause it works all the same.
  
  
• Stay with zoom! It's much more efficient
  
  
• Zoom quality is excellent
  
  
• I have found through use of each platform that they are all sufficient in providing the service intended. However, I think that Zoom handles the large groups more effectively and is optimised the best, with Microsoft Teams coming second to it. Any of the options would be fine though.
  
  
• Zoom please. It's handier for using the same link daily and more familiar.
  
  
• Zoom. Easy to use and fit for purpose
  
  
• Keep using Zoom. I prefer the format of the application
  
  
• Zoom is completely fine. From personal experience of using Blackboard Collaborate, I can 100% say that Zoom is a much more comfortable platform to use. I have used Microsoft Teams in secondary school, and it didn't prove to be too cumbersome, but with the current maths class being over 10 times as big as my previous secondary school classes, I'm not sure how Teams would fair in providing a comfortable experience. Zoom hasn't yet been proven to be a pain in your lectures, so I think it's perfectly acceptable to stick with it.
  
  
• Zoom, works well
  
  
• Zoom ThInk it's easier to navigate
  
  
• Zoom works perfectly :)
  
  
• Zoom has been working really well so far.
  
  
• Stick with zoom. I have used all three for online learning and zoom is the best for learning, in my opinion.
  
  
• Stick with zoom, easiest way to interact
  
  
• Zoom. It's less complicated.
  
  
• zoom is fine, works well enough and no need to fix it if it isn't broken.
  
  
• Zoom is great , audio and video I'd much better
  
  
• It really doesn't make a difference but it seems like zoom has less bugs and glitches compared to blackboard collab
  
  
• Zoom because other platforms have distracting features
  
  
• Zoom is really good. Blackboard isn't as good
  
  
• I like Zoom because of the chat and white board features
  
  
• Zoom because it is much easier to work with. Blackboard and teams are too complicated and hard to use
  
  
• stick to Zoom, because it's more normal to be able to see people's faces and the chat function is a lot nicer on zoom
  
  
• Zoom, it's the easiest to work all we have to do is click the link and were on and ready to go
  
  
• Zoom- easier use
  
  
• Zoom is the easiest to access
  
  
• Zoom has been working very well for me, and is much more accessible for most people. I always found Microsoft Teams difficult.
  
  
• Zoom, way handier / easier to use
  
  
• Zoom it is easier to navigate
  
  

Feedback on Question 3

Complete feedback from 157 respondents is available here. A biased selection of comments is:

• I love that it's a live lecture. It's the only one of my modules currently live, and i feel it's the one I'm engaging with and learning from the best.
  
  
• So far the Mathematics lectures have been the most interesting and engaging of any of the modules that I am enrolled in. (I am in Physics). The introduction to the mathematics of modular arithmetic has offered a different and more fundamental way to think about mathematics to me, while also showing the importance of properties of numbers that I would have otherwise taken for granted. I have no problems at all with the delivery of the content.
  
  
• 1) I like how because it is a live lecture you ask questions to ensure students are engaging and understand the concept. This could not be done with pre-recorded.
  
  
• its great that we can see you talking and using the whiteboard at the same time, thank you for letting us ask questions and going back over certain areas at the end of class it's really helpful.
  
  
• I like the interactions during class like when all the students are in the chat trying to guess the answers
  
  
• the writing system youve got with the pen is brilliant, I do like that we can see you write up/ explain every line of what youre doing in the lecture. much clearer than if you were just reading off a powerpoint
  
  
• I like how you ask us to answer your questions in chat and your use of different colours in the notes
  
  
• (1) I like the way you ask us for a few answers every now and again and try to answer our questions as they come, it feels much more like an actual lecture that way.
  
  
• i like how interactive your classes feel and how well structured they seem, you dont spend too much time off topic
  
  
• I enjoy being able to see other students' responses is in the chat so that I'm reassured that there are other people in the same boat as me for when something puzzles me.
  
  
• i like being able to watch the lectures back on youtube. very easy to use and never glitches or stops working
  
  
• I like how its up on YouTube and very easy to find
  
  
• 1- zoom is a good platform to use
  
  
• (1) I like the fact that the lecturer asks questions to engage the class (2) No there's nothing major that I feel needs huge improving.
  
  
• 1) I enjoy your interactions with the class/chat as it helps it feel more like a "traditional" class. 2) I can't think of anything at the moment.
  
  
• I love that it is live and therefore, I'm not waiting for it to be uploaded etc.
  
  
• (1) I like when it's interactive, when you get the class to provide an answer in the chat for example. (2) nothing I can think of! Also, I really enjoy your lectures and being in your class, it's the one I most look forward to in the day :)
  
  
• 1. I particularly like how you let everyone attempt the questions rather than just telling people the answer. It makes me think about the concept more and focus more 2. Somethings maybe could be explained a bit more in depth but nothing major
  
  
• (1) I really like a nice atmosphere during the lectures (2) I think that I'd prefer to have a few practice exercises with the answers (so I can check myself) after each lecture to repeat the material and understand it better.
  
  
• 1. Its live, have to be awake and tuned in 2. maybe it would be better to wait until the end to check the chat box
  
  
• i really enjoy the maths lectures even when i cant understand some of the content, the lectures are lively and the interactions between the lecturer and students is good.
  
  
• The live lectures are the best aspect for me
  
  
• I like that we get to interact as we go along and get feedback on our answers, it makes us focus on what we're taking notes on. I like how we are doing examples as we're going through the content because it's very useful to see how we can apply what we are learning. I'm really liking it so far
  
  
• (1) I love the way the notes are written out during the lecture as opposed to using pre prepared slides, it makes stuff much easier to follow. (2) not at the moment
  
  
• I like answering questions through the chat as it keeps me focused.
  
  
• (1) the fact that you wrote things out rather than talking over prewritten slides (2) nothing I can think of
  
  
• I like how things are broken down to simple english. Also think notes are very well presented despite having to write them on a computer screen.
  
  
• It's much easier to stay motivated when we have live lectures because there is a specific time slot and you can't get distracted. Also, lectures are much more engaging when the lecturer writes the notes as they speak, rather than pre written slides
  
  
• (1) I particularly like how questions are asked based on the lecture, to help engage the students to the module content.
  
  
• I really like your engagement with the class and I think you are a great lecturer. I do not have any areas that I think could be improved
  
  
• 1. I like that you write out the notes in the lecture with us rather than having it pre written 2. Nothing needs improving
  
  
• I like the interaction you have with the class, and the less restrictive approach you take to chat. Its a breath of fresh air from all the pre recorded lectures.
  
  
• (1) I particularly like when you do a 2-3 minute recap from the day before as it get me reset for the class but I know I could do that myself with me hand written notes. I also like they way you share your screen and we are able to follow you doing the whole lecture. (2) As of now everything is perfect!
  
  
• I like how you are open to all questions no matter how simplistic and the live chat allows us to help each other
  
  
• I like the videos get recorded just in case you miss something.
  
  
• I like the questions asked within class time
  
  
• (1) clear and concise delivery (2) I think Graham should have a calculator at hand, so lecture runs more smoothly
  
  
• I like how you introduce us to something in the live lectures and then it is reinforced in the workshops, really helps me to learn
  
  
• maybe a longer class would be nice.