Galen T. PickettAssoc. ProfessorPhysics and AstronomyPH3-103
California State University Long Beach 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840-3901 (562) 985-4934 vc (562) 985-7924 fax
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Analysis of written comments:
At the time of evaluations, enrollment in the course was 137, and 87
students filled out evaluation forms. Of those 87, 54
had extra written comments to make.
Many of the students are not satisfied with the textbook for the course. One thing that I can definitely say about the text for this course is that even though it is not the book I would write for myself, it does have some very important strengths that run through the entire course. The biggest advantage is the overall organization of the book, which I try to stress in my online notes. We start with naked-eye astronomy, and try to understand all of the amazing patterns of motion for objects in the sky. The most mysterious pattern (we can't really observe it directly in the 15 weeks of the semester, alas!) is the pattern of planetary motion. We then develop all the tools we need to understand "oridnary" motion here on Earth, with the hope that these "ordinary" rules will say something about the planets, too. This is the big achievement of Newton ... the rules explaining motion on the Earth are the same rules that explain how motion in the Cosmos works. We then go and apply those rules (with extra concepts involving energy and waves) to very small things ... gasses. The course would not at all be the same with a different book, and for all tis flaws, I am pretty sure that I'm able to offer a good, quality course with it. Changes will eventually have to be made, to be sure, but for now, my lectures work very well with the book.
There is also an increased concern with the security of assignments. I have made a pretty good effort of "hanging our" near the turn-back pile, which has deterred the practice of appropriateing *graded* assignments. It looks as if I now have to shift my attention to both the turn-in pile and the turn-back pile. The logistics of handling 1200 assignments, tests, etc. over the course of the semester without it becoming an overwheming burden for the students and myself is still something I am struggling with.
Comments made during standard class evaluations:
1. More detailed study guides. He goes too fast in his lectures
and class should be longer. Provide study guides for Exams I and
II.
2. This type of class works well for auditory learners. Visuals
would be of great help to the rest of us.
3. I think you should post grades once or
twice throughout the semester including the grades for our experiments!
Thank you!.
4. The course was good. The class was very hard, but he offered
us a lot of ways to stay from failing.
5. The professor was overall, ok at presenting
the material. However, I believe the text and accompanied lab books
probably the most poorly written books I have ever encountered as a student.
I am not stupid, I excelled in math and science in high school and graduated
near the top of my class in a very competative program. However,
in reading the textbook, I felt like a complete idiot reading the chapters
and would have to read the same passage several times over to have even
the slightest idea what the point of the paragraph was. The book
was full of unnecessary rambling paragraphs that talked about nothing.
``You have probably noticed, and I the friendly physicist have noticed
that the world is changing .... the world is full of..." Paragraph
upon paragraph of material that never gets to the point. The rest
of the material is rather poorly explained in the text.
6. I like how hmwrk could be turned in after the due date and also
being able to redo the assignment. Addressing
the security issue, hmwrk can be turned back to students in lab class but
turned in during lecture. Name and time of lab should be on hmwrk.
7. The text was really less than useful.
The lecture notes were really helpful. I would and have recommended
this professor to others. He saved me from my first phsc proff who
introduced himself as a "conservative christian" on the first day of class,
having had other "cc" professors I really didn't want one in the sciences.
The earth is not flat, and is more than 10,000 years old! Professor
Pickett was great!
8. The book for this class is awful
it doesn't help much at all. If it were not for your
notes I would have been worse off. Your notes on the
website were extremely helpful don't stop doing that and keep the THE on
the site also. It gives the students no excuse to miss an assignment.
A possible way to keep other students from taking
papers that do not belong to them would be to had the papers back in order
by last name ex: A-D, E-G something like that 5 min before class starts
or begins or both but allow the class to come up only in their letter groups.
I have had prof.'s who has done that. It could be helpful.
I hope you have a wonderful vacation.
9. I like how all the work/tests for the class were posted on the
syllabus since day one. Everything about the class was great.
I wouldn't change a thing. Anyone who says different just didn't
put in the time required for this class or didn't study. Actually,
I just thought of a way to cut down on people stealing ungraded homework.
Once class starts you put the stack away and then after class they have
to hand their hmwk to you, or you give everyone 3 min or something to turn
in their hmwrk and then you take the stack away. The already graded
homework isn't too bad but it really sucks if you have to redo an assignmnet
because it was stolen.
10. Everyone *VULTURES* around
the turn in pile to COPY!!! Monitor the turn in pile
.... people tned to steal and copy. Thank you for the lecture notes.
11. You are the first instructor I have given all 5's to.
Here are the good points - your lectures are very effective and usually
clear to understand, and having notes online is great. The coversheets
are great, overall the class has taught me so much. I
think the book is horrible. It is not well written, and was not helpful
at all in explaining concepts. I think you should write your
own book. I know it would be an improvement. There were a few
days this semester when the lectures were almost completely math equations.
Since we didn't have to know how to solve these and none of us will ever
use them these were almost a waste of time. We all have access to
this information if we need it, but for a 100 level course it is unnecessary.
Overall this class has been terrific.
12. Your PDF's helped a lot for studying, however you should give
us solutions on the problem assignments in the book. Overall you
did a good job on teaching the class.
13. I thought that he was a great instructor. However, the
tests were too long to finish in 50 minutes.
14. Overall I liked the class. I liked how assignments
were done and turned in, and I also liked the study guides for the
tests. They are extremely helpful.
15. The class would be better by making it more interesting.
Information was just being presented but without enthusiasm or interesting
comments.
16. It could be very helpful if you collected
homework right at the begining of the class, and not allow students to
go back to the pile and grab some of the assignments because it appears
that some students are taking someone else's homework copy the material,
but they do not take the time to put it back so that the student could
get some credit for their work. Maybe ask one student to be in charge
of collecting hwk. Thank you, you are a great instructor.
17. I enjoyed your class, but my only complaint is that the notes
online were too long for each chapter.
18. The class was great - the only think that I can think of
is get the class to be more active. Maybe show a movie once in a
while - like one full movie every 3 weeks or so. And try to go outside
more. If the THExp involves going outside, take the whole class,
and show us. You did it once, and it was so helpful. Do more
of it!
19. I have a lot of trouble understanding many things about science
(particularly in this class) so I really appreciate your willingness to
help all the time. Also, offering the notes online was a great help.
Maybe besides the study guide for the essay, put some sample multiple choice
questions on the website or include them in the study guide. Thank
you!
20. Hooray! I actually retain information in this class!
21. I really enjoyed the class, however, I do reccommend that
you initiate some class participation. Ask questions, like, " Does
anyone know ... ?" Thank you!
22. On test #2, you need to put few problems on because there wasn't
enough time to do all the problems.
23. Overall, Prof. Pickett is a great professor. Very prepared
and very articulate. He really knows his stuff. I just wish
I would have grasped the material a little better in the beginning of the
course. Great class, Pickett!
24. Teacher is great, passion for the subject. Just, relax
and understand its just a GE class. Expectations may be a bit too
high!
25. You have a great passion for your work, and it is admirable.
Make sure your students write their name in ink,
to prevent some theft.
26. Very helpful and fair. Hmwrk
handin/ rec'v seem to be a problem, I had one assignment either lost
or stolen and had to redo it AND had 2 assignments either lost/ stolen
after points were given. Possible solution - either have a due date
wet other than any time, or have us do it over the internet.
Other than that, you are awesome and thanks for everything.
27. Excellent teacher. He made Physical Science course an
excellent experience. Thank you.
28. I thought the overall classes was informational with the experiments
related to the course. The instructor provided all information that
was needed to fully succeed.
29. I'm satisfied with the way the class ws taught. It was
a bit too early in the morning, but bearable. Try keeping us awake.
:)
30. Thank you for making the material easy to understand because
the book is often unclear and difficult to understand.
31. Kind professor, I like how the notes are online. Fair,
reasonable assignments and test.
32. The turn in pile needs to be watched also
because I had to redo a THExp. because it was missing. I think
people just erased my name.
33. Mr. Pickett was a great teacher he was very understanding and
very approachable. I think that his class was very fair and reasonable.
34. Mr. Pickett was an awesome professor. He explained things
clearly and was available after class, his office hours, and through email.
The only thing that I would request is that he taught more lab classes.
Because, my experience with my lab professor was horrible. (****)
35. The material in this class is difficult for a non-mathematical
student who does not understand the concept of gravity, but I enjoyed the
lectures. The professor was prepared and smiled each time he had
to explain a question repeatedly. :)
36. Study guides for the m/c portions of all tests would be helpful.
37. Very nice guy! Polite and easy to approach. I have no
reccommendations on how to improve.
38. More class interaction would be helpful for learning the material,
not just the lecture. I liked when the professor demonstrated fun
experiments for the class so we understood the material better. More
fun!
39. The class is perfect as is.
40. For the turn-in pile, you should assign
people to pass them out. I had a hard time finding my experiments.
41. The material was so much! But you knew that and letting
us use our notes and book was an awesome idea! :o) The EC assignments
were a big help, too. Thanks
42. Provide more examples when lecturing.
43. It would be nice if you taught more lab classes as well.
44. I thought the class was great. It is a difficult course,
and I think that professor Pickett taught it great. He was reasonable
with homework and his coversheets were a great help. The notes available
on-line is an excellent idea.
45. Your class was great. I don't think you need to change
anything. You were very helpful, and did all you could to help us
do well in this class.
46. I think the professor was very fair in the grading of assignments.
47. I felt the course provided clear and accurate information.
Fair amount of workload. Good class.
48. Slowdown when lecturing - sometimes you go too fast - but overall
good job!
49. It would be very helpful if the lectures corresponded with the
weeks we cover in the lab portion of the class.
50. Professor Pickett is an amazing teacher. He explains the
concepts with visual detail. He makes the information real.
51. Maybe in the fall semester you should assign lab #7 or anything
that involves viewing the sun due at the beginning of the semester.
I understand that it will be up to the student however if you let
them know that the sun will be out less later in the semester maybe people
will not be rushing at the end of the semester and asking for extensions.
Overall, great class, fun, and enjoyable. Thanks.
52. It's good you don't make attendance mandatory. It allows
us to be the judge of what we need and when.
53. I thought your lectures were 100% more
understandable than the book. I think I only read the
book for help to the essay questions. Some of the explainations on
the formulas were long winded, but overall great class.
54. I feel that I got more out of the take home experiments
than out of the lab. While the labs were worthwhile they were time
consuming and the principles would have been covered by THExp.
last updated: June 23, 2005
