I appreciated the mix of text and video. Covering roughly the same information in two mediums helped to cement the important facts for me. I also felt that having the weekly episode quiz was really helpful. It didn't provide a huge burden, but it ensured that I paid attention and took notes during the videos rather than just spacing out and watching on a superficial level. Because I saved all the notes I took during the episodes, they have also proved to be a useful study aid when it's test time.

I have also really appreciated that whenever I had questions regarding any assignments or grades, you have always replied promptly. It has felt like the instructor was accessible although this was an online course.

n/a

I loved the book battle cry of freedom. I downloaded it for the course, but i've now put it on my amazon book list to purchase. I loved how much more detailed it is with each history subject.

I really enjoyed the Ken Burns film and I that kind of helped me learn better, rather than just reading.Keep the videos! I lose myself when I have to read, and hear my own voice reading. Having a narrator it tricks me into thinking that I am watching television and it was easier for me to retain information and focus. This class was interesting and coming into it, I was not sure what to expect. I was a little thrown off by the fact that it seemed like our forums never really had anything to do with the videos. I was expecting more of the forums to focus on certain battles or certain generals, but it was a lot different than I had in mind. I overall liked the class and it was good to learn more about this countries past.

N/a

I enjoyed the online forums. In my opinion, it replaced a standard lecture type class. But, you get more input and insight from other students. I think this is important because it allows you to see a subject from someone else's point of view. While time consuming, I found them to be worth the effort!

n/a

N/A

N/A

n/a

I really liked the overall format of the course. It was very well structured and consistent and allowed for easy planning and scheduling. 

I thought the class was very organized and provided timely feedback and instruction. I have taken many online classes, and Tobey can be very disappointing when the instructor is not attentive. That was not the case with this class. The unique aspect of this class was the multiple sources for information ( the videos, book, and papers). Most classes have only one source of information to study.

N/A

Very accommodating instructor. I really liked having a weekly quiz and a few forums vs. writing a paper every week. The documentary and quizzes is a good thing to keep in this course.

I think this course was run very smoothly. I know you adjust test grades upward after you have analyzed the questions, and I have nothing against difficult tests, but the test I already took this term was extremely difficult, and I anticipate the final will be as well. I always follow the reading and viewing schedule, and take detailed notes of both. Even though my grade was adjusted upward to an A on the first test, it's still demoralizing to initially only know about 84% of the material after having studied heavily. I always struggle with questions that want the best answer out of several seemingly-correct answers, and I felt like I ran into that on several questions on the midterm. Like I said, nothing against difficult tests. But I feel like I would have had to re-read/re-watch all of the materials in order to perform any better on the midterm, which is probably out of the question for most students during dead week and finals week. It does all come out in the wash with grade adjustments, but there is a tiny type-A part of me that likes to earn my grades organically. (I may be the only student who feels this way.)

Other than that, great class! I have recommended you as an instructor to several fellow students.

n/a

I understand why a fill in the blank history quiz makes it harder. However it's bothered me from the beginning because i've been very sure about answers on a few occasions with no way of going back and checking to see what I have answered wrong. I would like to have been able to view the quizzes after the 2nd attempt so if there was a spelling error or wrong answer, I would know.

The only thing that I really noticed that would of been helpful would if we were able to see at the end of the week where we went wrong in our quizzes. I know that it would of been nice to have those questions with all the right answers to help us study for the midterm and final.

The final and mid term were hard. Maybe make it less of an impact on your grade.

Personally, I do my best when I can map out my time for the whole term. I have an incredibly busy work schedule which is why I opted for an online class. Because of this, it's important for me to be able to work ahead at times. I'd think it would be nice to be able to see the whole term's assignments at once. I understand Mr. Escobar's reasoning for not wanting students to work ahead. Maybe, in future courses, he could post all the assignments in advance but not allow access to forum materials or quizzes in advance. I don't know if that makes much sense. 

better explanations for forums and how to fill out quizzes

N/A

The whole class, I felt like no matter what I did, I just couldn't do well. I think the quizzes should be multiple choice and I think the forums were too demanding and not really necessary. 

I think that the weekly quiz should have been on what we were reading in the book and other sources not just the documentary. It seems that the final and midterm covered a lot more and the quiz’s should have helped prepare for them. I think that the forums should be changed some it seems that everyone repeats the same thing just in a different context over and over. Which made it hard to comment on. Also maybe have a map quiz.

One thing that would be extremely helpful in this course would be feedback on the forum/discussions!!! Several times throughout the course my grade fluctuated from an A to an F depending on the week. I feel they were relatively similar in the amount of effort and clarity that they provided, yet I was never given any feedback as to why I had not earned full points on those weeks. This is something that would be extremely helpful to students in the future so they can resolve this issue. I understand as a Professor you are very busy but just a quick note on where to fix it would make this course great! That is my only complaint for the course. Thank you for a great and interesting term Professor Escobar.

This class was my first class where the weekly quizzes were not multiple choice, but instead fill in the blank. I understand why that is, but it can be difficult for people who are not very literate. I don't believe I belong in that category, but I could see how it would be frustrating for others. I also do not really see the point of having two opportunities to take the quizzes if after the first attempt it doesn't tell you the questions the student got wrong. I think that could lead to thinking the questions the student got right were actually wrong, which is counter- productive.

N/A

While the textbook was overall very good and well-written I sometimes had a hard time following it. I don't think it should be taken out of the course, but I think some students may struggle with it. All of the questions asked allowed me to provide adequate feedback.