Physical Sciences Department Gary Calderone Geology Instructor

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Student Evaluations

I generally have a good rapport with students and most seem to feel comfortable sharing their concerns with me. Most recently I was nominated to the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers. I have been also been nominated into the "top 20 favorite teachers" by the GCC student population via surveys taken by "The Voice". (I'm not sure whether I was really their favorite teacher or if they were trying to butter me up for an easier final ;-) Attached is a representative sample of what they had to say in recent anonymous evaluations.

What has your instructor done especially well in the teaching of this course?

~ He's always there when you need him; even after class. I have learned a lot about a subject (Geology) that I thought would never interest me, because of Dr. Calderone. He makes us want to learn. His teaching methods are above average. He goes above and beyond the call of duty, as an instructor..

~ Used examples of everyday objects to illustrate what we're discussing.

~ This instructor has made me want to learn more about Geology and observe Geology outside of class.

~ Stresses my roll as a citizen to know about geology to vote intelligently. Breaks down complex ideas into bite size, understandable chunks.

~ Explanations.

~ He is excellent at explaining the material. The slides he uses really help a lot!

~ His lectures are especially good.

~ He's made me conscious of the rocks around me. I can't look around without trying to figure out what kind of rocks I'm looking at.

~ He follows an outline which makes it easy to take notes. He is also very organized which helps to make the learning process that much easier.

~ He has taken a subject that I initially found quite scary and made it fun and interesting.

~ Examples and illustrations.

~ Shows enthusiasm.

~ Made it so that it can be applied to everyday things.

~ Allowed us, the students, to think for themselves.

~ I came into this course with a "fear" of science after a real struggle with biology. He has reinstated my interest in science. I will never look at rocks in the same way.

~ Dr. Calderone has an exceptional understanding of the course material and is capable of conveying it as well.

~ Easily established credibility and familiarity with subject matter. Tries to interest class in other ways than mere academics, that is, real life examples

~ His examples and demonstrations are extremely helpful in understanding geology.

~ Visual aids, videos, lots of "help" like library notes., projects that explain material. Excellent job. Way to go Mr. C!

~ I like the way he grades. Everything has been good.

~ Explanation and film and overheads.

~ Been very patient with students asking questions, really goes over material so we get a thorough understanding.

~ He has taken some complex ??????????? and presented it in a way that is simpler ??????? and easily understood.

~ - volcanoes - earthquakes - the earth

~ Explaining how to identify rocks.

~ Makes it fun and interesting.

~ Gives enough examples for something that's hard to understand.

~ His lectures are very informative.

~ He has good examples and comparisons that make learning much easier and more fun.

~ Yes, I'm actually getting a good grade in a science class!

~ He is very clear and concise about Geology, he is excited about teaching it, which in turn, makes you want to learn about it!

~ Mr. Calderone does not leave any loose ends. He clarifies material while making it fun and interesting. Shows lots of illustrations.

~ Alright, so-so.

~ Everything he has taught so far.

~ He explains everything thoroughly and gives good examples.

~ He really knows what he's doing and tries hard to help others learn the material. He uses pictures and examples which makes it interesting.

~ Makes Geo fun & easy.

Has the instructor done anything during the semester that you would like changed?

~ Absolutely nothing.

~ Maybe not making the lab last the full 2 and 1/2 hours (ha, ha!!!)

~ No.

~ The course material is taught really fast. SLOW DOWN!!!

~ Nothing.

~ No.

~ I cannot think of anything that could be changed.

~ No.

~ No.

~ No.

~ No.

~ No.

~ It may seem that there are a good # of A's in the class. The exams could be made more difficult, but would not be necessary.

~ No.

~ I might suggest that maybe some of the material be split up into a couple of extra exams so it won't be so overwhelming.

~ No.

~ No.

~ Yes, he did.

~ No.

~ No.

~ None.

~ NO quizzes the day after sping break!!

~ No.

~ No.

~ Less use of films.

~ I don't like all the techincal stuff but I suppose it is necessary.

~ No.

~ Nothing.

~ No!. If I had to change anything, maybe review for the exams.

~ He needs to give a better review before tests in class and lab.

~ Needs to explain things more clearly. Goes by things too fast. Don't use big words a lot.

~ No.

~ No.

~ No, not at all.

~ No.

Would you recommend this instructor to your friends? Yes...38 No....0

Why or Why Not?

~ Yes. He is a very good teacher. This has turned out to be my favorite class this semester. I needed a science to graduate, but he has made me glad I chose Geology.

~ Yes. He has a strong understanding of the material and he's a good guy.

~ Yes. He just does his thing and you enjoy being a part of it.

~ Yes. He loves what he does and it shows. His love not only for geology but also for teaching is evident.

~ Yes. He knows what he is talking about.

~ Yes. He is a great instructor! Geology is a boring subject to me, but he makes it fun and interesting.

~ Yes. Dr. C is a great all around guy. He is easy to understand and he has great illustrations.

~ Yes. He makes learning fun and the subject interesting.

~ Yes. He is very straight-forward and he makes everything extremely easy to understand.

~ Yes, because I believe he is excellent at teaching this class.

~ Yes. He is very confident of his knowledge of subject.

~ Yes. Very clear about grading and of subject matter.

~ Yes. Very clear about grading & of subject matter.

~ Yes. He's a good teacher. You can tell he enjoys what he teaches and he does a good job conveying his ideas to the students.

~ Yes, because of all the above mentioned.

~ Yes. This man is interesting, professional, stimulating; the overall best professor I have encountered here at G.C.C.

~ Yes. He is an excellent instructor!

~ Yes, because does require study and notetaking, but is not so hard as lab courses are thought to be. Also, professor is interesting.

~ Yes. Mr. Calderone is a very good speaker and explains material in relation to other things we understand.

~ Yes. He is an excellent instructor, willing to impart the information to students in a non rigid, ????dogmatic atmosphere. He does not speak down to students.

~ Yes, because he is always ready (prepared) to teach and he helps get us ready to learn. He is always in a good mood.

~ Yes, because he is a nice and a good instructor. Also he has every chapter's notes in the library.

~ Yes, because he's very enthusiastic about the subject.

~ Yes. I entered this class apathetic about Geology, however, Mr. Calderone's enthusiasm and interest is contagious. He makes complex geological mechanics easy to understand as well as very interesting.

~ Yes, because he really knows what he is talking about and has a wide range for GLG101.

~ Yes, he's easy going & easy to talk to. I'm not afraid to ask questions.

~ Yes, he explains thing clearly if you don't understand.

~ Yes. Friendly and kind.

~ Yes. He is very enthusiastic about Geology. One of the best Instructors' I've had at G.C.C,

~ Yes, I have had a lot of fun and I have learned to look at things differently.

~ Yes. He knows what he's talking about, and makes the class fun and interesting.

~ Yes. He is a great teacher. He makes you understand Geology!

~ Yes, because he makes learning interesting and comfortable.

~ Yes. He has a lot of energy about this subject.

~ Yes. Fair in testing and extra credit.

~ Yes, because he makes this course so much easier to understand.

~ Yes. He makes Geology fun and explains examples thoroughly for the student to understand.

~ Yes. He is a really easy going but informative teacher.

~ Yes. He is very fun and easy to understand.