View All Responses. All participants. View Default order Responses: 36

Student Evaluation of Instruction

This is an online version of the evaluation form which many students fill out towards the end of the term in some of their courses. The opinions and feedback of students who are absent on the day the survey is given are never gathered via the traditional "in-class" survey.  And, issuing a survey in class, when it could so easily be done online, only takes away from valuable class time that should be spent on the course material.  Finally, as you know, I will post these anonymous results on my website for any future students to read before decided to take or remain in this history class with this instructor.

The only module in Moodle which allows for completely anonymous student participation (even though you are logged into Moodle with your L# and PIN) is this Questionnaire Activity, specifically set to anonymous mode, which I have done.

For students who complete BOTH this survey AND the Hybrid Class Survey by the deadline of Thursday of Finals Week at 5pm, I will add 1% to your final class grade for the term.  When you submit the survey, it will automatically enter a "1" in the Moodle gradebook, signifying that you have completed the survey.  The survey data does NOT match student names to their answers.  With this nice feature, you can remain truly anonymous, BUT still receive the extra credit for turning in your responses.

I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.

1

These surveys are anonymous.  Several students in past terms have suggested that I include an optional "name" field in the survey for students who DID want me to know who had written the responses.  So, leave this field empty to remain anonymous, or enter your name if you'd prefer.

Respondent Response
McKenna Wilson
Cynara
Joshua Dalton
kelvin
Melissa
Leon Bohmer
Ethan Rubus
Jarod Doerner
Nathan Lee
SS
Lauren Meyer
Total responses to question 11/36

2

Rate the 12 questions below
Average rank
 ⇓ N/A
Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
1. What was taught agreed with the objectives stated in the catalog or course outline. 1.2  0
2. The instructor exhibited an enthusiasm and interest in the subject. 1.1  1
3. The instructor was knowledgeable in the subject. 1.1  0
4. The instructor used class time effectively. 1.1  1
5. Respected diff. genders, religions, ethnic backgrounds, class status, abilities and lifestyles. 1.2  1
6. The instructor encouraged students to think. 1.2  0
7. The instructor's teaching methods were effective in helping me learn the material. 1.4  0
8. The instructor made an effort to be available to students. 1.3  1
9. Helped students understand the course material and find answers to relevant questions. 1.3  0
10. The instructor was fair and reasonable. 1.3  0
11. The instructor helped me believe I could achieve my potential in this course. 1.4  0
12. Overall, the instructor was effective. Consider both limitations and possibilities. 1.2  0
Responses Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Total N/A
1. What was taught agreed with the objectives stated in the catalog or course outline. 29 (81%) 7 (19%) 0 0 36 0
2. The instructor exhibited an enthusiasm and interest in the subject. 33 (94%) 2 (6%) 0 0 35 1
3. The instructor was knowledgeable in the subject. 34 (94%) 2 (6%) 0 0 36 0
4. The instructor used class time effectively. 32 (91%) 3 (9%) 0 0 35 1
5. Respected diff. genders, religions, ethnic backgrounds, class status, abilities and lifestyles. 28 (80%) 7 (20%) 0 0 35 1
6. The instructor encouraged students to think. 28 (78%) 7 (19%) 1 (3%) 0 36 0
7. The instructor's teaching methods were effective in helping me learn the material. 24 (67%) 11 (31%) 1 (3%) 0 36 0
8. The instructor made an effort to be available to students. 24 (69%) 10 (29%) 1 (3%) 0 35 1
9. Helped students understand the course material and find answers to relevant questions. 26 (72%) 10 (28%) 0 0 36 0
10. The instructor was fair and reasonable. 26 (72%) 10 (28%) 0 0 36 0
11. The instructor helped me believe I could achieve my potential in this course. 25 (69%) 10 (28%) 0 1 (3%) 36 0
12. Overall, the instructor was effective. Consider both limitations and possibilities. 28 (78%) 8 (22%) 0 0 36 0

3

What did you like about the class?
Respondent Response
I really enjoyed the forums in the class. They helped me gain a better understanding of the material.
the lectures where engaging and interesting. They delved deeper than what I expected from a standard survey history class, and taught me a lot abort a period in history I wasn't really to familiar with.
This is my second class with Professor Escobar and I enjoyed it once again. The class is informative and I feel I walk away with more knowledge than what I came in with after every class period.
It gave me a new understanding of USA history
I liked the instructor's slides and the ability to switch between videos, lecture material, and relevant information pertaining to today's world.
for history, it didn't make me fall asleep all the time, I was able to learn effectively with the unlimited quiz taking.
Informative. The instructor's availability was a very useful resource. He also understood and made compromises/exceptions for certain accommodations. It's a good class. Tough, but fair.
I really enjoy history and I felt that the material covered was well presented, the last two forums I enjoyed and was able to participate much more.
This was a great informative class that made learning about History seem extremely interesting. The classes went over relevant information that was easy to follow and made it clear what needed to be learned and what was fine. This class gave several opportunities to do well and if you put in the work and do the readings then you should do reasonably well in the class. Joe is a great teacher and it is clear to see that he is passionate about the subjects he is teaching. He has taught so many historical things I never knew and has made me deeply interested in the subject. I truly highly recommend this course for anyone who does not know much about US history or for anyone who wants to learn more.
Joe Escobar is very thorough in his class lectors, and he does sugar coat or deviate from the true facts of history.
I liked how the instructor did not water anything down, and wasn't afraid to show the uncomfortable truths of American history. Also I always appreciate that personal politics were kept out of the class.
The professor was very knowledgeable about what he was teaching and this class definitely helped me understand more relevant issues better than I have before.
The material
The lectures and forums and quizzes are well connected and easy to comprehend.
I liked the topics and the teacher
I liked the teacher bringing his own travel experiences into the class.
I liked how my professor talked while using a slide show. I liked how he asked questions of the class. This made me think and sometimes made it easier to grasp what was being said through questions. It helped reading the chapter before class, because while in class it was like a review session.
The instructor was punctual, always on topic, and kept a good pace throughout the term so no section of the course seemed to drag on and on. He put especial emphasis making students understand the cause and effect nature of historical events, and ensured that students studied history without a presentist view/bias.
the way it was set up
I like how the class was easy to understand. It can be challenging at times, but if you work in it, then you should do just fine.
I loved that Escobar knew so much about the subject, and related the information to his personal life. This helped me understand some topics better.
I really enjoyed learning about the formation of the railroads as I am quite the train geek. It is always fun learning about how railroads were affected during the Civil War and about how the first Transcontinental Railroad was constructed.
Honestly I really liked the quizzes every week. I liked that all I had to get was a 75% or better and I actually learned more doing them multiple times in a row.
I enjoyed how everything was structured. I really enjoyed the lectures, they were broken down very well and were easy to take notes on.
The questions on quizzes and tests weren't anything surprising, I never felt like it was hard to know what was important to the instructor and worth actually taking notes on. No surprise questions I had no idea about.
Mr. Escobar does a fantastic job of enthusiastically presenting historical material from a controversial time period of our nation. He does not shy away from the controversies and meets them head on, forcing students to examine their own beliefs about current events with the newly acquired information.
I liked the visuals used during class and the enthusiasm and passion being expressed while material was being taught.
The instructor went above and beyond. He added in fun comments and gave real life detail about historical events. Giving personal details and pictures about when he had traveled to places was so fun. He showed up everyday with a good attitude and you can tell he wants us to succeed.
I really enjoyed the content we learned about because the topics we covered were very interesting. I also really enjoyed the forums and how the quizzes were not overly extreme.
I liked the online forums, quizzes, and other assignments that allowed for an opportunity to receive the 20%. The instructor didn't waste time and was always passionate about what he was talking about, and never seemed uninterested. The dates to take exams were also very helpful when wanting to take extra time to study or work around my schedule. The material was always covered clearly, and I appreciated him either praising or calling out the textbook authors on their mistakes or good choices.
I liked the flow of things. Joe had a very good teaching style that was beneficial to my growth of knowledge. He was very good about grabbing our attention and keeping us on point.
I liked how he really knew the material and taught it in a way that made it easier to understand.
The detail to accurate history, not just what we we're taught k-12
Total responses to question 33/36

4

How could this class be improved? Add any comments about the class and/or instructor that you feel might be helpful or useful.
Respondent Response
I don't think this class could be improved. I thought it was perfect the way it was run.
I feel the forums where a little confusing at first, maybe an in class demonstration or practice forum would help.
Keep doing what you're doing Joe!
I can't think of anything in particular. I didn't like the online forum pasting thing, but mostly because I'm lazy. Thanks for the great instruction!
do those clicker things more frequently, if its from random testing on material to more survey like questions.
The lecture slides weren't really that helpful for me, except for the map slides. I gathered more information from the textbook than the slides. Perhaps the slides could be more detailed? Subtitles for the .mp4 videos would be very helpful, if possible.
I personally did not like the forums on a whole, I am probably in the minority where I like being able to verbally converse instead of write. This may be due to my dyslexia in which my spoken vocabulary is much larger than my written.
The only thing I wish this class had would be an excused absence, because missing even just one class can affect your gpa and its worrisome at the end of the term.
I do not have any suggestions for any improvements in this class. The teaching style and the class format worked out very will for me.
At the beginning of the term the instructor brought these clickers that were really cool and kept me more involved with the class, and it was disappointing that he never brought them back.
Overall I enjoyed this class. My only complaint would be I felt there was a bias or slight withholding of knowledge in one of the forums. I get the feeling the professor tries to stay very centrist on most issues, which I respect. However, I think it is important this does not lead to withholding of information in the hopes of not being too left or too right.
Idk
Grading on attendance is Ableist, I suggest that change especially after having influenza and not being able to get to class. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, I suggest you evaluate your privilege.
i personally dont like the forums, i would rather have a two hour class and no forums.
I would have liked to have used the clickers more often.
I liked having the forums outside of class, but I maybe would have liked in class activities along with the outside work. Besides that my professor was delightful and always knowledgeable with what he taught.
I hate the semiweekly forums; it is the only thing about the class that I would change.
I don't think that the class really needs to be improved I think that is set up and done really well.
As of right now, I don't think there is anything major to be improved.
I thought this class was very well taught and I can't really think of any suggestions off the top of my head.
I can't think of anything that needs improvement. I was a tad bit worried when entering this class that it might be politically biased like all my other classes at Lane. Being a more conservative person on the political scale, I didn't want to feel "attacked." But I was super impressed with his neutrality in the class and soon I was trying to figure out what his political party was. I never could figure it out!
Allowing one assignment/absence make-up activity for the participation section in the class.
The online forums, while fun and a great way to stimulate thought, are lacking something I can't put my finger on. Perhaps opening the responses up before posting your own would be a way to stimulate more conversation as opposed to independent posts which are mostly not related to or part of a discussion.
More group work and in-class activities.
Commentary in class from students is very limited. He wants us to shine in the forums but I would like student participation in class to be encouraged a bit more. Maybe stop and ask for questions and leave maybe 10 minutes a class for comments at the end rather than trying to answer quickly to keep moving on in material.
Something I did feel was very intense were the exams. They were much longer than I had anticipated. I also feel that when putting in true or false questions, they should be shorter. It can be very hard to determine if something is true of false based on one small detail in a paragraph of information.
As of right now, mainly keep things the way they are. I can't really add anything to the table, as everything that's been going on has been effective (for me at least). So my advice would be is to just keep rolling with it, whether that's useful advice or not, that's what I believe you should do. The way this course is is very effective and productive so far in my opinion.
Do all the homework. Study for the exams. Show up for class. He's a great teacher.
I think that the lecture slides should be available on Moodle. If someone can't make that weeks lecture they should be able to get the information the rest got in class. Still make attendance part of your grade but allow the student to be able to catch up.
The class is great as is.
Total responses to question 30/36