Selected student comments from fall 2003Classroom course“This was a
great lab group. Each person contributed in some way to the discussion
and more importantly to the group dynamic, whether it was through work/personal
experiences, knowledge, or class preparation. Lab helped foster real world
applications what was learned in class and notes.” “The class was
well organized and informative. Case studies were relevant, thought-provoking,
and a good opportunity to apply course concepts.” “I thought the
small group discussion format was very helpful and really helped integrate
the class material with "real life" situations. It made the
material much more applicable to professional work” Cammie “[My teaching
assistant] was a really good TA and was very available for any of our
questions. The course developed really well, and improved a lot in the
sessions. I wish we could have more time to study this class, but the
way it is currently designed is helpful to keep informed and up to date
with assignments and information. The tests and paper were very challenging
and interesting. I enjoyed very much this course!” “[My teaching
assistant] is a great TA and very enthusiastic. [S/he] is approachable
and tries very hard to explain the material.” “Thank you so
much for your work with us this semester! I really appreciate all your
preparation and investment in this class. It was a great, albeit frustrating
at times, introduction to EPI!” “A great class
that taught me exactly what epidemiology is about.” Jake “I enjoyed the
labs and found them to be a great learning experience. Having the opportunity
to work with such a diverse and interesting group of people was a very
rewarding experience." Jocelyn “Awesome class!
You'll never read newspaper coverage of health research the same again!”
Julie “so long, and
thanks for all the fish!" Trevor “I felt like
the lab activities were helpful, but the lectures given at the beginnig
of the lab were often redundant with the information presented in class.
It may be more useful to take questions and do questions based on the
objectives of the lecture to identify holes in understanding and address
those more specifically. I felt like at times we didn't have time to address
specific questions because of the review of information that the majority
of the people understood.” “Excellent course.
The material is very relevant to what most of us will be doing in the
future and in future classes” Shannon “Excellent course!”
David “My group took
a while to warm up and actually TALK but ended up being a good group.
The labs are useful.” Jaime “I really like
the discussion groups -- I think a good part of my learning took place
here. Overall, a fun and informative class -- thanks!” I think the peer
evaluations take away from the learning atmosphere of the class. I feel
they create a false, overly competitive atmosphere in the lab groups (e.g.
people talk just to talk or because the TA is in the room). In addition,
it is difficult to keep track of 9 other people's weekly attendance and
participation in these groups to rate them twice a semseter. Otherwise,
I think the course is great.” Brian “Overall, this
class has been a good learning experience in spite of a challenging subject
for me. This is due to the thoroughly great job [My teaching assistant]
did as a TA and to the candid and well organized nature of Vic's lectures.” “I know my attendance
recollection isn't quite accurate...I think some people were absent once.
Sorry...I guess you knew this would be subject to recall bias! ;) All
in all our group is great...of course some are dominating, and others
stay quiet, but we work well and cover valuable material.” “The professor
is very funny, and the TA is super.” “I learned a
great deal in EPID 160. Most importantly I feel that I am better able
to evaluate health articles and research for my own personal use.” “This class
was a great way to learn the basic fundamentals needed by anyone going
to into the field of public health.” “Wonderful job
with the class... I've enjoyed it immensely and look forward to reccommending
it to someone else who's interested in epi!” Mike “Great job.
I was very impressed with both the professor and TA's performance. Excellent
class.” “[My teaching
assistant] understands the material she teaches, contributes examples
from her field of expertise, encourages/requires comments from the class,
and willingly considers alternate explanations of concepts or even questions
that other teachers would conside r to be challenges to their authority.”
Ben “I am really
very pleased the the dynamic of our group. I feel like I learned a lot
through out discussions, both about the course topics and other topics
in the public health field. I really appreciate and value each of my fellow
group members opinions. Overall, this educational experience was very
pleasant.” “I just wanted
to take a moment to let you know how much I enjoyed having you as a professor
for Epi last fall. I went into the class with a fairly inaccurate view
of epidemiology...so once I realized how much learning I had to do, I
was pretty stressed out. But, I am so grateful that I had a professor
that wanted me to succeed, and better than that, even enjoy the course.
The class was designed to promote learning in a fun environment, and that
is a huge relief to not only me, but I am sure numerous other students.
I really can’t say enough about how refreshing it was. So many classes
are the complete opposite … like the professor wants you to fail,
and feel miserable while doing it. Thank you so much for your dedication
to the teaching profession and the improvement of student's educational
careers.” Internet course“I
know you'll think this is corny, but it actually excited me today. I have
to do a presentation for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools next week, and
I was working on the ppt presentation today. I was using a slide from
“I
have been very challenged by this course. I feel really down that I did
not do better. Its not because I did not study, or do my readings, or
listen to the tutorials. I guess age is just catching up with me. I plan
to do better in the next course.” “Obviously,
the instructors spent a great deal of time making the course on-line friendly.
They took full advantage of the Blackboard tool. There was a rich, challenging
curriculum contained in the on-line course. Thanks.” Carie “I think that I have achieved my objective by taking this course that by learning the fundamentals of epidemiological studies and the importance of epidemiological studies to develop/define the intervention programs in the populations. I have felt it is too hectic for a working professional to participate in the group discussions and to submit the case studies for every week. For Internet course,
I think Group Discussion has over weighting in the grading break down,
but it may be valid for classroom course.” Ramana “Epid 160 is
the linch pin that holds all the courses in the Certificate program together.
I go away from this course feeling this time has been very worthwhile.
I'd recommend it to others as the 1st course to take in the program.” “I enjoyed this
class and learned alot along the way. The discussion forums were informative
and the reading materials were very enlightening.” Kimberly “A very interesting
and challenging course, especially for those of us who are new to public
health. I've learned a lot and look forward to next semester. It was sometimes
difficult to stay on top of all the coursework, especially when working
full-time and not always having quick and easy access to the Internet,
but it really helped me that the course was so structured. It prevented
me from slacking off and really kept me going. Thanks for a great semester!” “I really enjoyed
the class! Thanks!” Laura “This course
was an excellent experience! Though I found myself busied by the amount
and scope of the material at times, I was genuinely interested in the
readings, case studies and discussion forums throughout the semester.
I will pursue future courses taught by these particular course developers/instructors.”
Harold “I enjoyed this
course. It was a lot of work and sometimes challenging due to computer
glitches, business trips, etc. but overall things went smoothly. The course
was comprehensive. I liked the tests; they gave students the chance to
apply what they had learned rather than simply regurgitate memorized information.”
“A challenging
course...it will really make you think!!” “In the latest
e-mail I received about the grades for exam 2, I read that the in-class
students may have learned more from their labs. While I do feel that this
would have been beneficial, I learned quite a bit from my peers in my
group. The discussions were thought-provoking and interesting!!” “Good response
time to any emails I sent with questions. Internet learning is very effective
by incooporating the discussion forums. I feel like I am in a real classroom
with my peers!” Stela “[My teaching
assistant] is by far one of the best TA's I've learned from since my
time at UNC. [S/he] has the ability to articulate clearly fine points
of knowledge via email, a skill which surpasses normal face-to-face communication.
The dialogue was consistently stimulating and enjoyable; I am most appreciative
of the opportunity to learn this material from Yan, Vic and my classmates.”
“[My teaching
assistant] has been an excellent TA. The feedback from both the TA and
Dr. Schoenbach has been extremely helpful and always timely. Thank you
both!” Marylee “I really enjoyed
the discussion forums. They helped me with case studies and gave me a
chance to use what I learned from lectures in great discussions with others.” “I am glad I
was in this group this semester. I benefitted from other group members
tremendously.”
12/27/2003, 1/26/2004 vs, 4/14/2004, 3/22/2010 vs |