Survey Two Qualtrics surveys were shared with six STEM courses Fall 2014.
BIOL328, CS262, CHEM211-2, BIOL/ENVS 319, BIOL380, PSYC100 (2 sections)
Survey #1, administered weeks 3 & 4, focused on past and current study preferences. Respondents: 119 students (67%)
Survey #2, administered week 9, asked students to record their study behaviors and preferences for the Fall 2014 course(s) identified above. Respondents: 72 students (42%)
Students surveyed indicated that 75% studied alone more than 75% of the time for the identified Fall 2014 STEM course. (Table 1)
This data is consistent with how students were observed studying in the Science Library: 76% of patrons were studying individually.
Table 1: For Fall 2014 STEM course, how much study time is spent… (n=75)
|
Over 75% |
51-75% |
26-50% |
Up to 25% |
|
|
Studying alone |
75% |
17% |
5% |
3% |
|
Studying with 1 person |
5% |
20% |
19% |
55% |
|
Studying with 2-4 people |
1% |
4% |
10% |
84% |
|
Studying with 5 or more people |
0% |
0% |
3% |
97% |
Students were asked what furniture they preferred to use while studying for the STEM course, no matter what study location. The responses indicate that a variety of seating is necessary, and facilitate different types of study. (Fig. 1)
Figure 1: Furniture preferences while studying for Fall STEM course, study location not specified.
Students surveyed indicated they used the Science Library Fall 2014 most often for computers/printers (57%), studying alone (55%), and taking exams (29%).
For students who preferred to use the Science Library during Fall 2014 (preferred over Seymour Library and other campus locations), the top three activities are the same, but differently ordered: studying alone (84%), computers/printers (68%), and taking exams (40%).
Figure 3: Activities done in the Science Library Fall 2014
Where did students in STEM courses prefer to study?
80% preferred home, 68% preferred Seymour Library and 34% preferred the Science Library. (Table 2)
Table 2: Study location preferences for Fall 2014 STEM course (n=74)
|
Location |
Responses |
% |
|
living space |
59 |
80% |
|
Seymour Library |
50 |
68% |
|
Science Library |
25 |
34% |
|
computer lab |
23 |
31% |
|
Gizmo |
14 |
19% |
|
classroom |
9 |
12% |
|
department lounge |
7 |
9% |
|
Roger Taylor Lounge |
7 |
9% |
|
Carl Sandburg Study Lounge |
3 |
4% |
|
Old Main Common Room |
2 |
3% |
|
outside (write-in) |
1 |
1% |
Students were asked what equipment they preferred to use while studying for the STEM course, no matter what study location. No surprise that laptops and class notes were listed as most popular, with whiteboard suggestion 20%. (Fig. 2)
Figure 2: Equipment preferences while studying for Fall STEM course, study location not specified.
We asked students in the 2nd survey: “What additional facilities or resources would encourage you to use SMC Library more often?” (n=74, 50 comments submitted)
Table 2: What additional facilities or resources would encourage you to use SMC Library more often?
Themes Responses Percent
|
furniture & seating |
18 |
35% |
|
ambience |
14 |
27% |
|
technology |
6 |
12% |
|
longer hours |
4 |
8% |
|
white board |
2 |
4% |
|
group study locations |
2 |
4% |
|
convenience |
1 |
2% |
|
individual study rooms |
1 |
2% |
|
textbook resources |
1 |
2% |
