Is it just me or is this class really taught poorly? I am having a very difficult time, and know I am not somone who usually has trouble with this kind of class. The last three tests have all been out of 32 points. These were the average scores from all three Test 1: 19.31, Test 2: 18.42, Test 3: 14.51. Keep in mind these are all out of 32 points total. Doesn't that descending average score seem a little fishy?
This class is taught way too matter of factly and is not taught how an introductory class should. The teacher seems to assume that we know all these different aspects of physics that we just don't, and then moves right on to the next thing giving us no time to comprehend. Just to prove my point, in the Lab section of the class, everyone is averaging about 18-19 out of 20. That is hands on and let's us understand the material we are focusing on in each session and goes to show that the students CAN understand this. It is just the lectures and tests that are leaving everyone behind.
Shouldn't a teacher, seeing a gradual lowering of average scores on tests (and average scores that are below failing) realize that it is not the students, but the teacher?
Please, someone, shed some light on this for me.
Physics 104 w/ Prof. Wills
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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 7:56am
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 1:23pm
#2
lol
its funny this is on the forum, but I'm not surprised.
This entire class is review for me, yet I get a consistent 24/32 on every test, and a consistent 20/20 on every lab. The tests are too ambiguous, the teacher is unwilling to provide clear examples to students on his problems. He's obviously a qualified physicist, but clearly either needs to retire or get re-certified as a teacher.
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 1:33pm
#3
fo sho
i took physics 114 & 115 with vawter and it was the same deal. there is a ton of information that you are expected to know. but if you have never taken a physics course before it becomes completely daunting. all i have to offer as advice is try your hardest because in the end grades don't necessarily matter anyways. just realize that willis and vawter are old and so they will hopefully not drag others through many more courses of confusion and wasted effort.
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 6:29pm
#4
Wills
I had Wills for astronomy with a bunch of my friends thinking it would be a really fun, interesting class. Instead it was entirely physics and took all the fun, mystique, and interest out of something as interesting as our freaking universe! But he's old and his methods are from a generation ago, best to just understand that and go into class understanding there's going to be that barrier there to start...
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 11:30pm
#5
I feel the same way
I'm in this class too and finally just stopped going and started studying from the book...neither are very useful...but he just can't explain anything in terms I understand. I'm just trying to pass the class now and not worry about getting a good grade, because I'm not going to be able too. It's extremely ridiculous about the class averages and he just doesn't seem to get it. Just remember it only takes a 45% in the class to pass! :) Probably not the best attitude...but something we all should just face. GOOD LUCK!
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 5:13pm
#6
It's disappointing knowing
It's disappointing knowing that I have to just "deal with it" and he is not being challenged in his teaching styles. Why should we settle with having our GPA's damaged because he is unable to connect with his students? His teaching styles are from a generation ago, and thats totally understandable, but this is a new generation and as a TEACHER he needs to be the one to change, not the students. If he tried and it still didn't work that would be fine, but the fact that he just let's these failing grades happen is what irks me I guess...Who should I talk to about this?
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I took this class last quarter. The same thing happened. All of the test grades were failing, so he added points to make them look as a passing average. The only thing i saw in this class was derivatives of the equations we use. I am with you 100% on this and his teaching method.
It was very hard to pay attention to lectures and to try to understand exactly what he was saying. i studied mostly from the book, but then info that I studied was not on the test. It made it very difficult to do well on tests.
I wondered the exact same thing about the failing grades because it was the same thing last quarter for this class.
I was VERY frustrated last quarter with this class. I managed to pass, but it lowered my GPA.