Student Comments
Here is what
my successful students say about my courses....
Fall 2010
I like that she uses powerpoints & videos during class.
I like that we are given study guides
She does really well providing tools for students to succeed. Something alot of Professors should take note on!
She explains the material very well and I have learned alot
She provides lots of our information we should know in many places for us online. She offers extra links to things that may help us better
understand the material.
She tells personal stories that connect w/the material
The group presentations are a great idea.
The material that we covered in class and with the textbooks were very helpful in understanding abnormal psych. Podwika teaching
methods are great she uses alot of resources to help us understand. you Tube, videos.
The strength of her teaching methods are the powerpoints and her web site which gives us everything we need.
This clas is interesting, informative & I am glad I have taken it.
We do get to study/learn a lot more [unreadable-es?teric]information than I normally encounter in PSYCH classes.
Student presentations helps students learn the material better and engages students.
The teacher makes it interesting with real life examples and movies examples with clips from UTube. Like the power point notes available.
I think Podwika does a great job teaching the abnormal psych class.She brings experience, resources, and interesting discussions to the
student body.
Great class overall I'm learning alot. Also learning what I shoud have learned in my Intro to Psych class.
I like the objectives/study guides. She is helpful & understanding.
Podwika starts class on time, she allows the students to have open honest discusstions over class material, she is helpful, and always open
for improvements from students.
Gives very good examples and describes things in great detail.
Good material.
Great video.
I like the powerpoints they are simple yet detailed.
Mrs. Podwika uses a good mix of slides and text materials to teach her class, as well as encouraging light, debate and questions from
students.
Offers alot of helpful articles on her website & can relate alt of what we learn to our lives.
Professor Podwika offers different mediums to teach the class. She uses books, new articles, video and etc. to help us comprehend the
material we are learning.
She OBVIOUSLY Loves Her JoB And makes class very interesting.
She has good methods of explaining
She has great way to take the test and homeworks.
She has so many, Great examples, loads of resources!, Awesome powerpoints etc!
She makes excellent extra-credit opportunities and wonderful real life examples.
She makes sure that she gets all of her strong comments out that we need to know about the class each class period.
She provides a website that is helpful for getting information on tests and other things.
She really knows what she is teaching about and gives good examples.
She reviews all modules, lets us make comments/ask questions.
She taught well. Using notes & book on test is great.
The outcome sheet on the powerpoint helps alot and her letting us use notes on our tests.
Variety of teaching tools, knows material well.
Yes, effective teaching strategies.
good links!
I like her very much. She's very helpful and cares about making the class useful for her students.
Wonderful educator.
I enjoy the class because I feel I get a lot out of it and am provided with everyday examples from the professor.
I like her method to teach on Psychology.
I like how she explains everything.
I like how she explains so that we really understand it.
I like how she make powerpoints and post them on line
I like the way we learn in class by powerpoints, and the examples are easy to understand. it gets the point across better.
I really like the way she teaches, she goes into detail about things and makes sure we understand what she's talking about.
Knows the criteria of her major
Professor Podwika offers an online website to use as well as in class activities to allow students to know what went on in class on a certain
day. This is a great help to students so that we do not need to ask the professor too many questions.
She explains everything very well leaving few question
She lets us print off power points so so its easier to learn
She provides valad (sic) information, and lets the class see whats on the test.
She uses good Power points Tells what we did in class everyday on a blog.
She uses the whole 50 minutes wisely staying on topic for the most part.
Teaching method is easily understood.
good Power Points
her teaching methods worked really good. I understood what she was teaching us.
outcome sheets are helpful
she does a good job covering everything
she does a good job making sure everyone understands the material. She is open to different ways to express your knowledge of the given
subject.
she uses powerpoints that help for visual
Discusses material fully.
Everything is very organized and easy to follow along.
Good humor and shes always happy and loud
I like how Podwika relates our material to personal experiences. She should do more of these in class.
I love the outcomes for all the modules w/extra links.
She encourages class envolvement and good habits such as studying every day and keeping things turned in on time.
She explained stuff well and answered all our questions
She is very informative and interactive.
She is well prepared and has everything all accessable on her website.
She lays it all out for you. She makes sure you know what to study. Her teaching-techniqus are different from many of my other instructors
but once you get the hang of it you've got it!
She offers good explanations and meaningful examples regarding the topics that are beging covered. She encourages class discussion and
helps students understand material from a personal and also unbiased perspective.
She relates the concepts we learn to various media very well. Very interesting to listen to.
Teacher's website & blog is incredibly helpful, especially the powerpoint notes.
Teaching methods are excellent.
The method are clear.
The strengths in her class is the multiple examples and explanations of everything. She is up to dated on most/all of the things we learn in
class. The videos are a strong point also to give us examples that we are familiar with.
great
Mrs. Podwika does not fool around she takes pride in her work and it definitely shows.
Podwika is an excellent teacher!
Teacher knows her topic and does an excellent job presenting the material.
Good class with a good teacher.
Her blog and website are very helpful in learning and studying the material. The outcomes and guidelines she provides are very helpful.
I Love this teacher she finds time to make time for us and answers everything to the best of her ability
I like the way she teaches class-she gives great examples.
I really like her blog its really helpful if you have to miss class & also preparation for the tests
In some ways she is pretty straight forward, has a lot of interesing material that goes along w/the textbook, I love how she does the exams
online. Offers many helpful links and information pertinent to our class.
Podwika is very indepth at how she explains each topic, very thorough, and makes it easy to understand each subject with the use of
common daily life examples.
She always make the class interesting and fun. I'm not afraid to talk to her if there's a problem (I'm generally very scared of people). She's
always full of enthusiasm which make me excited to go to her class.
She goes along well with the book so its easy to follow and understand.
Very enthusiastic and knows what she is talking about and uses many different teaching aids
Visual aid are great, online resources are great
:} She's my favorite teacher out of the teachers I have for this semester.
I really hope she sticks around and doesn't retire anytime soon I would love for my children to be taught by her.
Prior to Fall 2010:
Hey Podwika, I just wanted to say
thank you for the passion and excitement you have for teaching psychology. The courses
(Social Psychology and Abnormal Psyc) in psychology has prepared me for a knowledgeable
and smooth transition in my classes at Governors State University. I graduated on Saturday
at KCC and I will graduated from GSU June of 2011 with my bachelor's in Psychology/Clinical.
Thanks so much for everything! I will keep you updated.
LaShonda 5/10
I really enjoyed doing those activities and it helps you to stop and think about
stress and many different aspects in your life. Thank you and I really enjoyed
the semster and learned a great deal of very interesting things.
Steven Reiter 12/7/07
I didnt really have any questions, but i do want to tell you that i love your
way of teaching, it is up beat and definitly well rounded, i was seriously
stressing about mid terms, and then i got to looking at the questions and was
like wow you really must want all of us to pass i dont think i have ever had a
teacher that went over the material or was as detailed about it all as you do.
i wish all my teachers taught like you ESPECIALLY MY CHEM TEACHER!!!!!!!! wow he
needs to take a lesson from you seriously he doesnt explain anything at all.
"Anonymous" 10/12/07
A lengthier letter of
thanks
~ Rexann McKinley 5/12/04 (Online)
Writing this reflection paper has also been an insight in itself. It gives
me a wonderful opportunity to see what I learned and what I gained from each
chapter and assignment throughout the semester. I was unsure in the beginning
of the course as to if I would be able to apply so many concepts to my life
and have something significant to say, but it turned out that I had more than
what I ever imagined available to apply to some aspect of my life. It was
a once in a lifetime chance to ruly see what I have taken from lessons and
how I was able to apply to something that matters, my life. Throughout my
schooling I have not seen real life attachment from classroom concepts to
my life and it was encouraging to continually have that througout the semester.
It was also a different experience to have such interaction with all my classmates
and learn so much about each and everyone of them. I believe hearing other's
applications to their lives or things thay have been witness to truly helped
me see where I could apply the same concepts to in my life and understand
them at different levels than I would have been able to on my own.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
During the course of taking this class, I have learned many great things that
I can apply to my everday life. I learned a lot about intelligence, love,
aggression, prejudice, and my well-being. I have implemented most of these
concepts to my life and have had very positive results. Journaling througout
the course has given me the freedom to express my ideas, so that I can step
back and find out what I learned. Trying to sum up what I have learned is
really hard, because I have learned many things. This paper will bring you
through each and every concept that I have learned and how it has changed
my entire life for the better. I know I will be able to implement these ideas
for the rest of my life.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04
I really believe that I learned a lot...and I just loved your class. I learned
that WebCT is to my advantage since I am taking an online class during the
fall semester. As a psychology teacher, you mad ethe class really enjoyable
and fun. I see how much it applies to my life. It really made me look at psychology
in a different light. I am looking forward to taking my next psychology class
with you in the near future.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04
I have learned many things about becoming a better girlfriend, daughter, friend,
acquaintance, listener, and teacher. I will be able to implement everything
that I have learned during my semester in this class. I have already begun
to us a lot of the tips that were given to me in teh videos that I watched.
Loretta LaRoche is definitely one woman that I will never forget. She taught
me a lot and I know I will be able to give thanks to her from time to time
because her wisdom has really influenced my life. Hopefully, I will be able
to teach my children everything that I have learned throughout the course
of my life as a student ans as a friend. I know that I will never forget anything
that I have learned and that I will be happy as long as I remember what I
was taught.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04
Psychology has taught me so much already and the course is not even over
yet. I love going to class and learning about how people are so different
and how they are also the same....The first week of class I thought that this
class was going to be a waste of time and money, but now I see why I needed
it for nursing. Everyone is different and I need to know how to deal with
each person as an individual. Sometimes I sit in class and just nod my head.
I finally get it. It is like I understand everything and everyone. It seems
like now everything makes snese. This class has opened my eyes to a whole
new world. I feel like I only saw half of the picture before this class. Ms.
Podwika, I have you to thank for my new understanding of life. You have a
great method of teaching and you help your students as much as you can. You
are a great person and you love psychology. You are very energetic and that
makes the class so much fun. You made me love psychology. I want to learn
more and I will be taking more psych classes as my education goes on. If I
ever decide not to become a nurse, I will get a degree in psych. I want to
thank you for everything. ~ Anonymous 5/19/04 I think that this class
and all the project ideas you present us with is really providing me with
a cool opportunity to kind of tie everything together. Back when we were doing
the learning option assignments, just reading through the different assignments
was enough to get me thinking and analyzing my life. I just wanted to tell
you about some of the neat (course-related) stuff that I have going on. And
I also wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate the creative ideas that
you put into your teaching. Thanks for making it fun and interactive (and
challenging).
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
In the beginning, I was not sure about going online to do much of the classroom
activities. I mean, if we are going to do everything on the computer what
is the point of coming to class. As the semester went on and I learned more
about what the class was about I changed my thoughts. I honestly liked the
class. These past few months I have learned quite a bit about myself and what
I needed to improve. As I continue through my college days I plan to continue
to make improvements that will help me not only through college but through
my work environment and through my life when I have my own family.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04
This is why I love online classes because if I was in a normal class I would
not say ANYTHING ever. I just wouldn't care about the participation because
I am very shy. At least with online classes, I get the participation points
because I am not affraid to say things.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
Ms. Podwika is an excellent instructor with a fundamental understanding
of how technology can aid teaching. I especially enjoyed the class discussions,
as they were probably more honest and deep than those in an actual classroom.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
It is all valuable material. I know it will help me to become a better person.
It also gave me a better understanding of people? actions around me.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
This was an excellent exercise in introspection, self-awareness, and general
understanding of social behavior.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
I found the whole course interesting and a positive experience.
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
It was all interesting
~ Anonymous 5/19/04 (Online)
I am currently a graduate student at the Chicago School of Professional
Psychology and I am studying forensics. I took your your social psychology
class in the spring of 2001. I remember watching a video on the murder of
Kitty Genovese. It went through all the details of the crime and interviewed
her family....Thanks for all of the exposure to the internet. It was more
helpful than you'll ever know!! :):):):)
~ Hannah 9/28/03
There are two things that I liked about this class. First, we get different
options for how we want to do our projects. Good writers can simply type something
out while people who are creative can do pottery, etc. The second thing is
that there are many ways to get a good grade in the class. Some classes are
based on two tests. So if one isn? a good test taker, then there isn? a
good chance that he or she will succeed in class.
~ Katie Pommier 7/14/03
At first I thought that this course was going to be like all the other courses.
I got much more than I bargained for, I felt it truly did apply to many of
the things that I was experiencing or have experienced in my life, world,
and affairs.
~ Anonymous 7/14/03
When I first signed up for this class, I took it only because it was required
for my program. I am in the Medical Lab Tech program, and I could not understand
why this class would be required when I have already completely my bachelor?
and have taken philosophy and sociology. I decided to make the best of it,
and must admit that I am enjoying the class. Almost every section that I have
covered has made me think of someone or something in my life. In many cases,
I have a better understanding of why things in my past turned out as they
did, and how to avoid the same mistakes now and in the future. In other cases,
I feel I have a better understanding of myself and why I do or think the way
I do. I also think this course has allowed me to better understand other people
and allows me to see things from another? perspective before making a decision
or a rash judgment. I have also found that some of the materials I have read,
especially the articles, may be very useful to my friends and family as I
see answers to some of the problems they complain about. While I was expecting
a class full of interesting personality or behavioral tests, my initial disappointment
has given way to true appreciation of something better - understanding.
~ Tracy Brady 7/14/03
The interent I found it worthwhile because it helped doing the course so you
could get help off of the web pages and stuff.
~ Anonymous 2000
The Objectives to study for the test are great. If you're not prepared, its
your own fault. I liked it when she had interesting movies.
~ Anonymous 1999
I think her objectives were extremely helpful. They gave you a clear understanding
of what it is you need to know. Her videos were also helpful. They gave you
a clearer idea of concepts.
~ Anonymous 1999
The whole semester helped improve my life, it gave me a lot to think about.
I have never taken it before, and now I want more. I love it.
~ Anonymous 1999
I feel Ms. P. is the first teacher I've had that really cares if/what her
students learn.
~ Anonymous
1999
The instructor is very personable and "down-to-earth." She is also very knowledgeable.
She knows her stuff.
~ Anonymous 1999
Ms P. gives concrete examples in class for us to learn and apply the concepts.
The practice final on the internet was helpful in preparing for the final.
I liked and appreicated the instant feedback on the quiz. The instructor goes
out of her way to help students understand the concepts.
~ Anonymous 1999
The objectives an the fact that everything was on the instructor's webpage
was beneficial.
~ Anonymous 1999
I found everything to be worthwhile, and learned alto in this class. I
thought that the quiz objectives were the most worthwhile handout, and they
helped me alot for quizzes and tests.
~ Anonymous 1999
I learned more about social aspects of life and seeing them in everyday life.
I feel I can now go on to more psychology and be prepared.
~ Anonymous 1999
I think Ms. P. is a good teacher. she is always willing to help anyone.
Her website is very helpful to be able to get things at home also.
~ Anonymous 1999
The objectives were helpful to know what was going to be on the test. I found
studying for the tests much easier.
~ Anonymous 1999
Every subject taught was very worthwhile and interesting. Intially I believed
greaet emphasis placed on the internet was a futile attempt; however, even
that subject was a prudent method of teaching.
~ Anonymous 1999
The instructor has a lot of examples that make the students understand
exactly what she is talking about.
~ Anonymous 1999
I liked the use of the computer and the impeccable exerburance the teacher
has for the psychology and knowledge of psychology.
~ Anonymous 1999
I've learned
how to use the computer & technology more. Now I realize that technology
is progressing so I myself (typerwriter age) must progress twoo."
~ Anonymous 1999
I enjoyed the videos & thought they offered good advice on the outlook
we each have.
~ Anonymous 1999
The videos were good and the objectives that she gave us to study from
were helpful.
~ Anonymous 1999
I liked the videos, the children brought in to observe, and the internet.
~ Anonymous 1999
I really enjoyed child observations. It let us apply what we learned in real
situations.
~ Anonymous 1999