The overall students’ satisfaction with the computer lab

Generally, the students are satisfied with the services of the computer lab. For instance, one of the students confesses that he would rather use the computers provided by the institution rather than opting to buy his own. If we also based on the suggestion of the moderator that student should try visiting the lab during off-peak hours, one of the students (Oliver) concurs with him that student should try visiting the lab when it is not busy.[G1] [G2]  Despite some challenges, none of the students has disputed the significance of the lab in the institution. [G3] 

Provide an opinion describing if it was wise to have a group with both graduate and undergraduate students included? Support your opinion with research.

It was a wise idea to incorporate both the graduate and the undergraduate students. This is because they are all business student s using the computer lab and they experience similar challenges. Students at both levels of education brought in a multifaceted effort that could help avert the problem. Generally, the graduate students are more likely to use their experience to guide the undergraduates in arriving at an answer (Shunk et al.,2012).

Analyze the focus group transcript very thoroughly. Make a list of problems and ideas generated for the student computer lab.

            The transcript shows that despite the efforts made by the administration to provide the computer lab in the institution, many students were having trouble accessing the computers. Some of the problems and ideas generated are as follows.

Problems

• Some of the students using computers do not have the requisite knowledge of computing[G4] .
• Big queues preventing one to go to the windows machine.
• Some of the computers are non-functional.[G5] 
• Inadequate computers in the lab.
• Ineffectiveness of the computer lab monitors.
• Some students making noise in the lab

Ideas generated

• Going in to use computers when they are not busy.
• Using card machines.
• Employing the services of a gatekeeper.
• Providing reference guide for soft wares.

What do you see as the benefits and limitations of the focus group findings? Do you think the task force plan for utilizing the focus groups is appropriate?

The focus group findings are beneficial to the administration in the sense that it will be relied upon to effect some changes in the institution’s computer laboratory. [G6] This is because many issues were raised by the students which need to be addressed. On the other hand, the findings are coupled with various limitations which include sampling a few students for the interview which may not have given the actual views of all the students in the University.[G7]  The management might also fail to implement or correct some of the challenges raised in the report rendering it futile.

What changes would you make to improve the problems or to capitalize on the opportunities identified in the primary research? Collect and describe student recommendations for improvements.

            In order to improve on the shortcomings of the computer lab, I would find it prudent to educate students on how to use the computers before allowing them to use the machines at their own will. It would also be necessary to bar students from making noise while in the facility so that they do not interfere with the concentration of others. The lab attendants or monitors will need to undergo some training on how to perform their work so that other students do not find their services irrelevant. For the opportunities to be capitalized upon, I would need to increase my computing hours following the increase in laboratory hours.  It also sounds good to split the hours between graduates and undergraduates since congestion will be eased creating room for one to fully utilize the machines.

            Some of the recommendations by the students for improvement are as follows. More chairs to be introduced in each row, this will ease congestion and improve efficiency since each student will follow the queue and more time will be saved. The introduction of the waiting list will reduce complains because every student will only access the machine once his name has been verified and allowed in.[G8]  If these recommendations are implemented, every student accessing the lab will feel satisfied.

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