UW Physics 322 feedback in weeks 2-3,  Spring 2006 (DHC) - 21 respondents, 28 registered

 

How do you find the examples classes?
very useful  4            pretty useful  6         OK  8              a waste of time  2

Do you find the study session with Ethan on Wednesday useful?
very   5           quite   4          No   5

The level of classes is
too hard  5         a bit hard  3       OK  12       a bit easy  0   too easy  0

The speed of the classes is
too fast   1       a bit fast  5       about right   14         a bit slow   1              too slow   0

The amount of discussion of concepts in class is
too much   1            about right   15        too little   3

The number of demos in class is
too many   0            about right   17       too few   3

My writing on the overheads is
gloriously clear   1           pretty clear   15        fair   3      lousy   1

The number of examples in class is
reasonable   13         too few   5      far too few   1

The homework is
too much   0         too hard   4         OK   17       too little   0        too easy   0

The exams are not supposed to be easy. But in general are they
Fair and testing right things  12     Fair but testing wrong things  1       Inappropriate 1    Unfair  0             other   6

Your interest in electromagnetism is
waxing   5        steady   15     waning   1

 

Why don’t you go to the examples class?  (selected comments)

time constraints            sleep ^_^                 I found them useless last quarter

difficult to learn much in the way of actually doing the problems in only an hour

Ethan's help on Wednesday's invaluable to me

 

People very rarely come to my office hours. Any suggestions?

Your explanation techniques are frustrating and only make me more confused

Sometimes it's hard to know what to ask     

availability is great           busy schedule                     no busses

I've gone twice when you weren't there                       I honestly couldn't say why.

Perhaps you could announce each week a specific topic for which you'd like to help during your office hour.

 

General comments?

 I really hated 321 and didn't feel like I understood anything

[exams] Even if we know the concepts, new situations befuddle us.

[exams] A good exam question = A great homework question.

I can't "wing-it" like I did in 321 last quarter

Possibly grouping the thought processes according to which concepts or equations they use.

We could benefit from some 'plain-talk' descriptions

More examples

I'm the kind of [guy or gal] that needs to see the end result of a problem and see the specific uses for the various equations.

I find you a lot easier to follow in class than the majority of other physics professors I have had at UW

 

Is your interest in E&M waxing or waning?

 

What the hell is waxing..........crazy brit!......

wax² (wăks)   intr.v., waxed, wax·ing, wax·es.

1.      To increase gradually in size, number, strength, or intensity.

2.      To show a progressively larger illuminated area, as the moon does in passing from new to full.

3.      To grow or become as specified: “could afford … to wax sentimental over their heritage” (John Simon).

[Middle English waxen, from Old English weaxan.]