Workshop 8: Ruby on Rails Workshops Report and Evaluation

Evaluation and Report

Please answer each question in this evaluation section. In your answer, please consider content/topics presented and the technologies and teaching strategies used during the Ruby on Rails Workshops. Results will be collated and used to modify the workshop series.
This form is just a format guide to you evaluation and report. Thank you for your time to complete workshop 8.

1. List what you consider to be the three strengths of Ruby on Rails workshop series

I consider the 3 strengths to be:

1. Learn RoR from background concept to programming code, then application deployment gradually.
   
2. Provide suitable materials and resources.
3. Good in learning programming coding in Workshop 4 and 5.
   

2. List what you consider to be the three weaknesses of Ruby on Rails workshop series:

I consider 3 weaknesses to be:

1. No enough time to complete the whole application.
2. Each workshop is separated not strongly related.
3. The work load may be too large for a part time student.
   

3. List what aspects of Ruby on Rails workshop series that you found to be most difficult.

The most difficult aspects were:

1. Installation of RoR and setup of MySQL in my Mac for different versions, and too many methods.
   
2. The integration use of Method, View and Control (MVC).
   
3. Workshop 6: use of AJAX
4. Need a lot of time to complete the workshops.
   

4. List what improvements could be made to the Ruby on Rails workshop series:

Improvements you would make include:

1. If the course duration can be longer, it may has enough time to learn better.
2. Improve the relation between workshops.
3. Delivery the workshops early
   

Free response and reflective questions:

5. Reflect on your experiences with the other Web framework used in this subject: Was it effective? How can it be improved? Should other Web frameworks be used as well or instead of Ruby on Rails?

I only have a little experiences in Web framework (PHP and .Net). I think PHP and .Net are more suitable in business world nowadays. It may be better to learn the business software for the student easy to apply the knowlege in their working enrionment. Mircosoft provides 3 months learning edition or free Express edition in SQL server and Visual Studio for us to study.

6. Did the Developer’s or IT managers Team that you joined after workshop 4 have a preference towards using other tools to facilitate collaboration? Comment on the differences between these use of the sub-forum or Interact wiki tools from your experiences in this subject.

As I use a lot of time to complete my exercises and workshops, I can only spend a little works in the focus group of RoR workshop.

7. Further comments to add?

As the tutor in Hong Kong cannot get all the materials directly from CSU, he cannot help us much. It may be better if he can get extra materials to guide us to complete the exercises and workshops.