Responses to Student Self-Evaluation
Spring 2000 Web Section

Question #1: "The most important thing I learned this semester was:"

Attendance is important. I know this is not the answer you're wanting to hear. But seriously, I discovered this semester how important attendance is. I missed some class and really found myself behind.

That history doesn't have to be strictly book memorization of dates and events. It actually can be interesting to study, especially with the use of actual historical documents.

That history is interesting if you have the right prof.

I learned the value of a good thesis. This can make or break your paper.

Use proof to determine historical values. How to create a pretty good paper.

To write historical papers, to use sources improving my analyzing skills.

I learned how to condense an enormous amount of information into a one page paper. I learned how to write from a historian’s point of view.

How many people actually died in Europe during the time period covered in class.

Thought process. In most history courses, papers are regurgitation of what the teacher said or believes. I had to learn that papers here were graded by thought rather than if I wrote down what the teacher wanted.

How to be a historian. How to look into the detail and really get an understanding of the material.

How to learn thru research and how to write an effective paper with the research. Gave the ability to learn overall mood and events with being able to focus on what I thought was more interesting.

I learned that learning can be enhanced and encouraged through nontraditional teaching methods. I also found that the internet can be an extremely effective teaching tool. I found that freedom to search and collect information on one’s own initiative provides for better retention and interest.

The many different views and opinions on each topic we studied, particularly on how religion should play into people’s lives and how important government should or shouldn’t be.

The most important thing I learned in the class was that I need to participate more in class in a class structured like this.

Continued improving written communication skill. Learn how historians work and analyze things (how to be a historian).

The information and discussions over Nazism was what I learned the most on. It was important to know the economic and social status of Germany leading up to the Holocaust.

History doesn't always put you to sleep.

The most important thing that I learned this semester is that a history prof. can make history interesting.

The importance of looking at history and not just accepting it. It is much more educational to analyze it and use it to increase your knowledge on that subject.

That history can actually be very interesting.

The technological advances made from the past to modern Europe.

I learned how to become an influential writer. Mills made everything interesting and fun. I feel my writing skills have increased big time.

That every decision made effected us and made us into what we are today, all the way from government down to economical issues. How people learned to start fighting for their freedom.

The most important thing that I learned this semester was a new found understanding of the Holocaust.

How to more effectively write papers. I liked having so many papers evaluated by one person. It allowed me to see my progress and improvement.

The importance of a thesis, and how to take an objective point of view on issues you strongly disapprove of.

I believe the most important thing I learned was how to write a paper. I can honestly walk out and say that I know what a thesis is, and I can prove one also. This helped me in other classes.

Writing is a big part of a historian's life. Good writing skills of history are essential. Being able to put a ton of knowledge into a tiny paper is a harder process than it sounds.

Communists weren't had, their methods were.

Question #2: “Please evaluate how much you learned this semester as compared to other history classes you may have taken:

You are an excellent speaker. This is the first history class I’ve taken in college that I did not fall asleep in. I also enjoyed the class “debates.” You didn’t just teach one side of any issue. I haven’t had many teachers do that before.

I have learned a great deal more than in other classes, because it all ties into a big picture. I don’t just memorize for tests and forget.

I feel like I got the big picture! By learning about small cases and bringing them into the context of the larger picture I feel like I garnered a lot of information. It was an excellent class.

As compared to other history classes, I learned a lot more in here. This is because of the class size and the discussions.

I learned a lot this semester compared to other history classes. I enjoyed how the material was presented and how class was ran. These together made the course material more interesting to me.

Actually, this class made a pretty large impact on my college career. It was the first exposure I’ve had to being the historian rather than just a student.

I learned ten times more in this class than others.

This class made it a little easier to understand due to good teaching and is a little more in depth.

I’ve had the luck of having 2 tremendous history teachers, and Mills was obviously one of them. He taught stuff that I never knew existed and he did it in an exciting way.

This was the first history course. I doubt many of them will be as good. You made the class extremely interesting. Students wanted to learn. With history sometimes that is hard to do.

This semester somewhat forces you to learn more due to the papers that you have to write

I feel like I’ve learned more about personal lives & experiences other than a broad coverage. I feel like I’ve learned about the same amount but w/ a different approach.

This class was a history class of comprehension and retention, as apposed to twenty-four hour memorization.

I believe each professor has their own method of teaching, and even though I enjoyed the class I can’t say that I have learned more here than in other classes. I think it is up to the student to adapt to the different teaching styles.

I remember almost everything you lectured/taught us and that is much different than my other classes. Those I usually just memorize than forget, but this stuff I remember. So, I feel as if I learned a lot compared to other classes.

I think I learned the same amount of information; however, I did learn specific instead of broad information. A study of Galileo was much more informative than one of the Franko-Prussian was or something else.

I learned a lot more general information. Facts and dates weren’t as critical. I feel like I can talk more intelligently on the Holocaust, Communism, and many other topics.

I learned more back ground information.

I learned a lot more than my other history classes because we were involved in the class and the groups helped me get a better understanding of the context we went over

Because of the way the material was presented, I felt I learned a lot. I especially enjoyed the material on the changing role of women.

Your teaching lectures were quick, but at the same time very thorough and instructional. I learned a great deal in this class. You made it very interesting.

I learned so much better in unconventional classes I didn’t have to worry about memorization and cramming for tests.  Therefore I got to sit back and enjoy the lectures, listen to what was being said and process it; rather than writing down notes fast and furiously.

So much more.  Other history classes is just memorizing, taking test and then forgetting the information.  This course is so much more.

Compared to others a lot, because I could relate the events and reason why they happened.  Instead of just memorizing dates and events.

The amount of exposed material is relatively the same, but as above, the volume of retention is obviously greater.  I also developed strategies that will lead to further learning concerning various interests.

I think I learned more about the whole picture of Western Civilization and events that were really important instead of just numbers like most history classes.

Compared to other history class I am taking this semester I’ve learned almost twice as much do to the fact it is more interesting.

I think I learned what I needed to.

I learned more in this class than all of my others.  We went more in depth on the story behind the story.

Question #3: Please evaluate the use of the internet in this course:

Excellent. I didn’t attend class as often as I should, so it helped to be able to hop on line for discussion. It also made the reading more convient. While checking my email, I’d say “Might as well check my reading this week.” I wish more professors would do this.

Although it was a bit difficult acessing a computer a times, because I don’t have one, it did make you actually feel like you were doing research.

The internet was a good thing. I liked the fact that were tons of options to read and not a lot of paper to keep up with.

The internet was a convienent way to read the documents however, I wish supplements would have been given.

The use of the internet was very useful and convient. I think that you should continue having course using the internet that way we did.

The Internet helped extensively. It allowed me to keep an edge on class, even when I didn’t attend. I valued it a lot, and recommend it use to all your future classes.

The internet was a valuable source. It made reading and writing much easier.

It plays a huge role and is a good way of learning the material.

The internet was huge! W/out the net, a lot of information would have never been discovered. Also, it allowed me to contact Mills whenever I had a question.

It was okay sometimes a little difficult when you always didn’t have access to a computer

It was helpful, but not always effective. Not all students have computers and sometimes pages wouldn’t load.

The internet offered a change in how to learn but was often an inconveniance. My computer broke for part of the semester which made the assignments even more difficult to get a hold of.

I like this because you are able to print what you need and also get the info at anytime.

The internet provided additional sources, which was good, but I don’t think very many students used it that much. However, I do believe it should be continued to be used.

I liked it. I wish more people would use the on-line discussion. It was new and fun. The only problem is, I used a lot of my printer paper and ink ($).

It was great! I wish we had paper copies too, but I was glad to have the internet. Every professor should do this. (I did work over spring break at home, over 1,000 miles away!)

I thought it worked well. I am on line a lot and this made it easy to do my homework.

At times very helpful but at times unhelpful. Unhelpful when the server had problems or is down. Helpful when internet is functioning. Internet was good.

Very helpful, had some trouble getting to the site but overall a quick resourse to get the material.

I enjoyed using the internet. It made me prepare for class. It allowed you to go to more sites of interested.

I feel that the internet was very useful. It was convenient and easy to use. All of the information was easily accessible and easy to comprehend.

The internet had advantages and disadvantages.  Advantage: easy to use, quick to get info, more info and links to connect to.  Disadvantage: I don’t have the net, I have to travel to the library, the library computers shut down often.

It was very helpful and always let me know what was going on.

Very helpful the material was easily accessible and the links were great for further information.

The internet was convienant and valuable, but not all together neccessary.

For the most part, the internet readings were very interesting.  These were personal accounts from and about people who were really there so that was good.  I’ve never participated in anything like that so sometimes it was hard to get myself to do it.

The internet was very helpful especially in research for the papers.

The internet information was well done.  The reason I liked it was because it could be accessed anytime and as many times as one should desire.

I liked using the internet.  The online discussion was a good idea, but was never fully taken advantage of by the students.