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Appendix 7. Pre-Site Visit Interviews: Questions for Students

Module by: Phuong Nguyen

Observations on Undergraduate Education
in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Physics
at Select Universities in Vietnam
PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:
Name:
University:
Faculty/Department:
Degree sought:
Major:
Year:
Phone: E-mail:
Note: Your participation is voluntary. We ask for you to identify yourself so that we can list your name as a contributor to the project. We assure you that your responses will be kept anonymous and that what you say will be summarized into a general statement. We appreciate your complete honesty in answering each item in order to provide an accurate picture of higher education practices in Vietnam. Thank you for your help!
Please confirm with your signature below so that we can list your name and use the information that you provide:
______________________________________________________ Date: ________________
Directions: The questions below are provided for your review in advance of a meeting with you in person. During a personal interview, Dr. Phuong will record your answers to the questions. In addition to your comments about your particular situation, we appreciate your adding answers also from a general perspective, if possible. Please provide copies and samples if available.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1. CURRICULUM AND SYLLABI
  • Do your teachers use a standard format for a syllabus?
  • How often do your teachers revise the syllabi?
  • What is the proportion of theory and practice in the curriculum? In the syllabi? Is this adequate?
  • How often are foreign books, materials, curricula, and syllabi used (frequently, occasionally, never)?
  • Do you receive copies of the curriculum and syllabi? If so, in what format and when?
  • In your opinion, what part of the curriculum (overall program) is most useful to you? What are you most proud of?
2. STUDENT LEARNING SITUATION
  • What are your expectations for how long it will take you to obtain your degree?
  • Do you consider this an appropriate length of time?
  • How many courses/credits do you take in one semester/term? In one year (over 12 months)?
  • How many hours per week do you meet with the teacher for a course (i.e., contact hours in class per week for each course)?
  • How many hours per week do you study outside class per course (i.e., homework assignments, etc.)? (1-2, 3-5, 6-10)
  • How often do you meet with your teacher outside of the class for help and mentoring (e.g., number of times/week, length of time)?
  • How often do you use the library and other learning resources (e.g., hours/day, hours/week)? Do these meet your needs?
  • How often do you use the Internet (hours/day, hours/week)? Where do you access the Internet (e.g., classroom, library, home, internet café)?
  • How do you study in preparation for classes, tests, exams (e.g., by yourself, in a group)? How many hours do you study per test?
  • Do you find your courses in general, useful or not useful?
  • Which specific courses do you think are most useful? How are they useful?
  • Which courses do you think should be omitted? Why?
  • Do you have a favorite professor? If so, what makes that professor especially good?
  • What foreign languages have you studied?
  • If you have studied English, have you taken the TOEFL or IELTS? If so, what were your scores?
  • What type of interaction occurs between you and faculty members (e.g., helping to understand concepts, mentoring)? If so, how often (frequently, occasionally, rarely)?
  • If you could make one change to further develop your learning, what would that be?
  • Describe your typical day (approximate hours for each activity).
3. LEARNING RESOURCES
  • Please describe the availability of educational aids, materials, textbooks, and resources (i.e., computers, Internet access, reference materials, journals)?
    • How many computers are available to students? How many computers with high-speed Internet access?
    • Do students have their own copies of the textbooks (all, some, none)?
    • If copies of textbooks are in the library, how do students have access to them (must read in library, can copy, can check books out)?
    • If no text books are available, do faculty develop course notes? Are the course notes available on the Web?
    • How do students access the latest professional journals (Internet, library subscription, interlibrary loan)?
  • What student services are available (i.e., bookstore, canteen for meals, counseling, job placement assistance, health facilities, library)?
  • What support structures are available for students who need additional help? (i.e., remedial courses, learning centers, writing center, etc.).
4. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING
  • How often do you have tests (i.e., weekly tests, mid-term exams, semester or year-end final exams)?
  • What types of tests are used (i.e., multiple choice, short answer, essay, and/or oral exam)?
  • What type of feedback do your teachers give to you on your homework assignments? Please provide samples of your work with your teacher’s feedback.
  • What percentage of the syllabi is assessed in tests?
  • If you could make one change to improve the assessment of your learning, what would that be?
5. RESEARCH
    • Is faculty research incorporated into teaching (Y/N)?
    • If so, does this make the information more interesting (Y/N)?
    • How are you involved in doing research for any courses?
    • How is joint research with your teachers encouraged?
    • Are paid positions available to you to do research toward your degree?
6. ASSESSMENT OF FACULTY TEACHING
  • Are you asked to assess/ give feedback on your teachers’ teaching? If so, how often?
  • Is feedback written or oral?
  • Do you feel you can give an honest assessment of how well you are taught? If so, how?
  • If you could make one change to further develop teaching effectiveness, what would that be?
7. FINANCIAL ISSUES
  • How much tuition and fees do you pay for one semester? For one year?
  • Do you work besides going to school? If so, what do you do?
  • How do you fund your studies? Do you receive any form of scholarship and/ or financial aid?
8. JOB PREPARATION
  • Does the University help students find jobs upon graduation? If so, how?
  • Is this help for jobs in Vietnam only?
  • In your view, are you well-prepared for the job market? (Y/N)
  • After graduating, what do you plan to do? (e.g., teaching, research, government, private industry, other)
9. OTHER COMMENTS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Phượng
on her cell phone: 0909-388-227 or by e-mail: phuongnguyen@vef.gov

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