Instructions for Focus Group Data Analysis

  1. Open the FGcardtemplate.xls file. The Directions will be in the spreadsheet, but they are also reproduced here. Briefly study the template and its page "FG Chart." (See tabs at base of the spreadsheet.) Then, proceed with the next steps.
  2. If you have more than 50 students, highlight any entire row that crosses the orange column and use the insert rows command. If students enter a decimal such as 1.5, just round this to the nearest whole number.
  3. Type each number rating in any order from the 3x5 card into the orange column and the descriptor that accompanies the rating in the adjacent blue column. If time is short, save and forward this file to , who will do the rest and return by email. Otherwise, proceed to next steps for "do-it-yourself."
  4. Sort all rows containing both columns by the ratings number. This will group all the ratings in order from 1 to 4
  5. The bar chart will have been generated automatically in the Page FG Chart.
  6. Highlight all comments with rating of 1, copy, then open FG Chart. Highlight and delete any comments now in the Bar corresponding to Rating 1 and paste comments into that Bar. Repeat that copy and paste process until all comments have been transferred into the appropriate bars.
  7. The statistics at the bottom of the column will calculate automatically.
  8. Highlight the cells with the statistical results and copy.
  9. Open FG Chart and paste as picture and delete old statistics box.
  10. Replace course title and dates with current information in the FGChart.
  11. SAVE THIS FILE WITH A NEW NAME
  12. Print the chart for your colleague on a color printer, and/or email entire Excel file to colleague.

Instructions for Color-coded Table from Roundtable Activity

  1. Openfgroundtablecoloredtable.doc
  2. Study the table briefly. Each Team has provided rated entries for strengths and rated entries for weaknesses. Clear the example data and shading the cells from each and save the file under a new name.
  3. Begin with the strengths. Under each team, type the ranked attributes in order. If time is short, save and forward this file to , who will do the rest and return by email. Otherwise, proceed to next steps for "do-it-yourself."
  4. When entries from teams have been completed, look for similarity (threads) in the entries. For example, from data provided by all teams, there may be five entries that describe the teacher's enthusiasm. The resulting thread is "instructor's enthusiasm." Place the same color shading in each of these cells. Look for other threads and color code cells with all entries that pertain to that thread a different color.
  5. If a few stray entries do not map as threads, count these as "other."
  6. Below the teams entries is space for a summary. Count the same colored cells and enter the total where shown. Enter a descriptor for the thread and shade the row containing entry total and thread with a color consistent with that provided by the teams. Highlight all rows with entries and sort in descending order.
  7. Repeat same procedure as above for expressed weaknesses.
  8. Save file and print on color printer or email to colleague as attachment.

Instructions for Generating Learning Outcomes Report and Summary

  • Open learningoutcomestemplate.xls.
  • Clear numbers in the orange columns.
  • Highlight and copy the outcomes from the course and place into the spreadsheet as replacements for example outcomes already in the template.
  • Type the entries of best and least well covered outcomes into the respective orange columns. If time is short, save and forward this file to , who will do the rest and return a summary document like that described below by email. Otherwise, proceed to next steps for "do-it-yourself."
  • The histograms of best and least covered outcomes will occur in chart 1 and chart 2.
  • If desired, it is easy to copy outcomes graphs to a Word file and the outcomes placed at the bottom of the page. See the example in summarylearningoutcomes.doc.
  • Save file with new name and e-mail spreadsheet and summary documents to your colleague.