STUDENT COMMENTS
The following comments were submitted by students from a survey conducted in the Spring of 2011. This survey was conducted as a result of thier experience with me in a Faculty Learning Community project entitled "Engaging Large Classes". All comments were submitted anonymously without any edition or omission.
Also I wanted to thank you. I took the course because World History is a requirement for English majors and I didn't really know what to expect. But I can honestly say this class has been the most interesting class I have taken in my three plus years taking classes at Syracuse University and Salem State. Not only studying the philosophies of the past but applying them to how we feel about the world today was more valuable than almost anything I can remember doing in any class.
I hope to take another course with you as the professor because I feel your passion every class and I think everybody in class, whether they liked it or not, was forced to think critically throughout the semester. Hope you and yours have a happy holidays.
I would say this course challenged me to look at aspects of the world in different ways I had never considered before. This course was informative and stimulating.
Overall a good experience. Tough at points but for the right reasons. Was one of my tougher courses even tougher than some of my business courses.
This class gave me what I needed to know in order to develop a clear, valid, and persuasive argument. Learning how to critically read was also an important piece of knowledge that I found to be very useful.
This class was a little different from many of my other classes, but in a good way. I enjoy this method of teaching and learning. It has taught me a lot about how to prepare for life.
I found this class to be very informative and educational. I have learned values that can be applied to real life and not just in class.
It was a very good learning experience, in terms of new methods. Any way I like to say that it is very good that the professor check on the comprehension of the material with more frequency.
I think Professor Page was a very effective educator who I can tell genuinely cared about the progress of his students. It always helps motivate someone to complete their work when the person who is in charge is supporting them. I enjoyed coming to this class and enjoyed watching many of the YouTube videos because I am a visual learner.
I was introduced with new way of lecturing which were very useful.
My ability to think critically and to sustain what I think increased significantly.
Thank you Pro. Page !
I had a difficult time with the papers but learned a lot.
I would describe it as gaining an increase of knowledge primarily on the evolution and foundation of various religions.
I came into the class not knowing how the class was going to be ran, I had some difficulties at first. After a couple weeks I learned how to work with the online web, and became more comfortable with the in-class discussions. I feel I have improved my abilities in discussions.
I learned how to write an argumentative essay. It was not a very good learning experience and the discussion questions that were posted were 4 lines long which is too long for a question. 4 lines is called a paragraph.
My learning experience in this class was an in-depth look at note taking and argumentative discussions and forming opinions which I believe everyone should become familiar with while in school.
I would say that I definitely learned a lot of things that I never really heard before.
This class taught me how to write an essay. I think Professor Page was very clever to introduce a new technology to class room, World Wide Web.
My learning experience was much more personal as I needed to find the content myself seeing that a textbook was not provided.
I would describe my learning experience extremely helpful not only academically but more importantly in a career aspect.
I would have to say that my experience in this class this semester was definitely different. Different strategies, which I liked and in some instances prefer, were used. I liked that it was different because I gained knowledge in how to excel in a class/course in different ways than that of the traditional one.
At first I thought it was really challenging and wanted to drop but as the semester went on I got used to the professor style of teaching.
This class at first for me was tough. I ended up learning how to write better arguments. Overall it seemed a little too tough for an entry level history course.
At first I wasn't sure how I was going to do in this class due to the combination of online and in class work. As the class went on I got more comfortable with the style of the class and now enjoy this type of class experience over that of most of my other classes.
While I do like the class' incorporation of the internet in the learning process, I sometimes feel that there is too much a reliance on computers. In class, for example, I would prefer if there was more writing done on the blackboard from time to time.
My learning experience significantly was greater in this class in comparison to other which I am currently and have taken. My ability to research and write argumentative essays with supporting facts and citations increased dramatically due to the amount of critical thinking which was performed in and out of the class room.
Great learning experience.
This class has taught me to always be prepared for class.
The course made me stronger in these areas: through note-taking I practiced looking for key ideas, without a class textbook I became familiar with the Blackboard program and using different websites, and I learned about the historical role that religion has had in different world cultures.
Thought provoking.
My learning experience has increased in many different ways in this class. Before I came to this class, I did not know much about the world background. But now, because of what I learned from this class, I became more understand able of the world origin. Secondly, I now know how to make really solid agruements. Lastly, I now know how to help solve struggles in societies by using examples from the past world's civilization in order for our societies don't make the same mistake the old world made.
Overall my learning experience was above and beyond of what I had expected to gain from this class. I was challenged more than my other courses which enabled me to become a more efficient student and professional. I would enjoy taking another course through this professor.
I had a very enjoyable experience in class. You pushed us to ask questions and to not be afraid if we didn't understand and to just ask. Your preparation methods for the next class were a good way to learn the source material and to hear what others in the class felt as well.
Professor Page showed the class how to attack essays from a different way. Making sure we take analytical notes and writing are essays with an analytical approach. Overall it was a great learning experience.
The following comments are unsolicited student email messages sent to me following my classes in World History I and II during the Spring of 2010 and Fall of 2010.
Professor Page
Did I mention how much I dislike doing essays!! In all seriousness though, I really enjoyed having you as a professor. You have challenged me in ways other Professors have not. I really wished I had you earlier in my college career, it would have made a world of difference.
Professor Page
I wanted to thank you for your time this semester. I have truthfuly never enjoyed a history class as much as i have with you. I wanted to wish you luck with upcomming classes, and if nothing else hope they are fun.
Thank you
To Professor Page,
Good morning Professor Page. I am writing to thank you for teaching me the skills and knowledge that i needed in order to pass this course. I made it in World His 11. I am so grateful for having you as my instructor.Have a nice summer. Thanks a lot.
Hello Professor Page:
I just want to share some my thought about the class.
In your class, I've studied many things besides the knowledge about history. The experience life as "learn and execute it over and over and over and then fail again, get up and keep trying." and something else which I couldn't take note and remember. Moreover with your enthusiasm, I think that coming your class is the best decision which I've made since I came here.
I know that my English, especially my speaking is still poor, my essay and comments were not so good but you encouraged me much. Thank you so much for that. Also thanks for your extra lesson and for asking me smile after I finish to talk to you.
Okay, thank you very much. By the way I did enjoy your teaching methods. You made a very comfortable learning environment where I felt comfortable to have my own ideas as well as ask questions. Thanks again
I just wanted to say thank you for such a great semester. I really learned a lot not only about history in your class, but about myself. You really pushed our class to reach our full potential and I think in the end we really learned a lot. After leaving your class I would feel really inspired and motivated to do well. I don't want this to come across as cheesy because I am being honest. Thank you for a challenging and rewarding semester.
Hello Professor Page,
I just wanted to say thank you for running such a great class. I've learned so much in this class and it helps that you really cared about our knowledge and thoughts rather than focuses on quizzes and tests. Even though I wasn’t successful on ALL of my papers I sure did do a great amount of thinking. You taught me to think in so many different ways and look at things differently, and I ultimately found it to be an extremely interesting class. In some of my courses I am constantly looking at the clock as to when we leave, but as early as our class was I was very much able to stay intrigued by our class discussions. Thank you and I hope you have a great holiday.
Professor Page:
Thank you so much and I have registered for history 2. Getting the letter from the school freaked me out a little bit so I just wanted to make sure. Thank you for a great semester, I truly learned so much from you about history and just life in general, you really made me think about things in a different way.
I just wanted to say thank you. This class has opened my eyes to things that have been happening all around me and I have never notice. Especially the last few videos have made me realize that this country is so small and we as people should open ourselves up to learning about and understanding other culture.
It is good to hear you are doing better, I would have to say I was a little disappointed that we didn’t have class because it is honestly the only class I look forward to. I just want to thank you very much for challenging me it has opened up new doors and has been a major confidence booster for me. See you on Friday.
… Honestly, having you as a teacher really gave me a big boost that I needed. They way you teach the class and your philosophy on not only teaching but on life have really impressed me. You’re all about a "go get 'em" attitude and take the world by the balls approach. You have taught me how important it is to think about the reasons and what’s behind the issues not just the facts. It also meant a lot to me for you to single my papers out in front of the class. Because like I said, I didn’t know what to expect going in. Bottom line is thank you.
I wanted to thank you for your response I have put a lot of hard work and effort into writing this paper and seeing your comments make me feel very good about myself and makes me confidant that I have written a successful paper. Thanks for being so dedicated to your students and wanting to see them succeed, it means a lot to me.
Your name came up yesterday from a faculty member in the English department. He said his students think you're terrific. Just thought you might want to know that. I was impressed!
I recently received the grade change that you submitted and was able to apply for graduation on May 19. I just wanted to say thank you for your help, it was greatly appreciated. Had you not assisted me, I would've had to wait until next spring to graduate. You are one of the most efficient and knowledgeable professors I have ever known. Again, thank you so much for your concern and I wish you the best of luck.
I am sending you my paper late, because like you have been telling us all year, TIME MANAGEMENT IS KEY! It just got the best of me and I apologize. I am sorry for giving it to you late, but I would rather try harder and pass it in late, then give it to you, when I know I could have done better. Although that is my own entire fault, for if I had managed my time correctly this wouldn't even be an issue. I guess that is why all your students thank you at the end of a semester; you get the concept into our heads until we finally realize! So, I would like to thank you, because you taught us one of the best ways to do well in a class, I just am sorry I had to learn while in yours. It can only get better from here though, so thank you and have a wonderful summer.
… I thank you so much for your support. I was nearing a breakdown but I got everything situated but the only problem is that the financial aid office told me they are not sure how I dropping the class will affect my financial aid for next year. Hopefully it won't affect it gravely. I felt a lot better after speaking to you and my advisor and I have reconsidered taking a semester off, I have decided that would be a silly idea seeing as how I am already here. I just need to learn how to manage my time and become a lot more organized. Thank you so much again!!
I just wanted to wish you a late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I also wanted to thank you for sending my paper back so soon. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. I believe the fact that I very much enjoyed your class helped in succeeding in the subject. That was the key for me. It was engaging and intellectually interesting. Your emphasis on critical thinking has influenced me greatly. Every day that I read the news casts online I see the parallels in past and present. So when I vote in the next election, perhaps I'll see a parallel in the present and the future. Hopefully for the better. I strive to be ever the optimist, even during this ongoing storm in history. Thanks again for a fun semester