| Testimonials from Students I have cut and pasted several e-mails from students in my web courses over the last two years. (I'm also including a hand-written note scribbled at the end of a final exam, from a student in one of my evening classes.) I have, however, excluded the names of the students, to protect their privacy. These are all unsolicited communications. The first several e-mails (and the hand-written note) represent "conversion experiences," from students who had somewhat low expectations coming into the course. I enjoy helping students like this. The next message is from a student who had to learn while using English as a second language. The next three are from students who underperformed (in one aspect or another), by their own admission, and yet who enjoyed the class and learned something anyway. I consider these the most encouraging types of comments I could get from any student. Finally, the last e-mails communicate the excitement I have for teaching, and the way I like to shepherd my classes. |
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 9:09 pm
Mike, You are not only a gentleman but a scholar... thank you for the grade...you have opened up a new door for me when it comes to history,
because of your class I have changed my major to History and I am very excited about finding my niche. You are a very well involved
professional and it shows in your interaction with your students. Thanks much and hope to talk to you again.
Mike, You are not only a gentleman but a scholar... thank you for the grade...you have opened up a new door for me when it comes to history,
because of your class I have changed my major to History and I am very excited about finding my niche. You are a very well involved
professional and it shows in your interaction with your students. Thanks much and hope to talk to you again.
Date: Monday, November 1, 2004 7:28 pm
Thanks! I'm really glad to be in this part of the class. I'll have to tell you that History was not a course that I had looked forward to taking, but
your class is completely different. I can't express how much I enjoyed the first class and I am enjoying this one as much.
Thanks again,
Thanks! I'm really glad to be in this part of the class. I'll have to tell you that History was not a course that I had looked forward to taking, but
your class is completely different. I can't express how much I enjoyed the first class and I am enjoying this one as much.
Thanks again,
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2003 8:43 pm
HI Professor Swords,
I have never been sooo happy to see a week end! I am thrilled with my grade on my research paper . . . Anyway, I have learned a lot in this class
and I did not even expect to really enjoy it, THANKS!
HI Professor Swords,
I have never been sooo happy to see a week end! I am thrilled with my grade on my research paper . . . Anyway, I have learned a lot in this class
and I did not even expect to really enjoy it, THANKS!
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2004 11:47 pm
I really enjoy the way you teach and how you instruct us on studying for exams not only in your course but others alone. It's very hard being a
single mother of three that are 5,1, and 5 months, but the way your courses are set up allows me to really get the feel of what it its that I should
be learning instead of having to cram so much things together to meet the deadline. History is becoming very interesting to me. Therefore I
look forward to your next course.
I really enjoy the way you teach and how you instruct us on studying for exams not only in your course but others alone. It's very hard being a
single mother of three that are 5,1, and 5 months, but the way your courses are set up allows me to really get the feel of what it its that I should
be learning instead of having to cram so much things together to meet the deadline. History is becoming very interesting to me. Therefore I
look forward to your next course.
Message no. 223 Posted by on Mon, May 19, 2003 11:58 pm
Feeling a little less cynical than I did the other day. I personally do not like the study of history . . .Philosophically this is where I think Western
education is failing our youth. We have turned education into a business of who can cram in the most information and recall the information
in a moments notice. What we have failed to do is "teach" them (our youth) how to apply this nugget of information. . . I am glad to be taking
this course as it feels like we have an instructor that is concerned more with "Did you understand what was said?" Than can you remember
when it was said and by whom and what day and who was present, etc.
Take care,
Feeling a little less cynical than I did the other day. I personally do not like the study of history . . .Philosophically this is where I think Western
education is failing our youth. We have turned education into a business of who can cram in the most information and recall the information
in a moments notice. What we have failed to do is "teach" them (our youth) how to apply this nugget of information. . . I am glad to be taking
this course as it feels like we have an instructor that is concerned more with "Did you understand what was said?" Than can you remember
when it was said and by whom and what day and who was present, etc.
Take care,
Hello Professor Swords,
... thanks for making this class different than the normal assignments and courses.
... thanks for making this class different than the normal assignments and courses.
This was a handwritten note at the end of one of my exams:
"Mr. Swords,
You have really turned on a light for me as a student in your class. Thanks again!"
"Mr. Swords,
You have really turned on a light for me as a student in your class. Thanks again!"
This message is from a student who had to learn while using English as a second language.
Date: Saturday, October 30, 2004 12:28 pm
Mike, thanks for your mail. That really makes me feel good. It is hard writing in another language. I am always wondering if this or that makes
sense but it is a challenge and after completing a course it is a rewarding feeling. Your class and the way you approach to us makes me feel
comfortable and it is pleasant to learn this way. Thanks for your encouragement. I am taking the next course and i know i will enjoy it and
learn a lot too.
Muchas gracias
Date: Saturday, October 30, 2004 12:28 pm
Mike, thanks for your mail. That really makes me feel good. It is hard writing in another language. I am always wondering if this or that makes
sense but it is a challenge and after completing a course it is a rewarding feeling. Your class and the way you approach to us makes me feel
comfortable and it is pleasant to learn this way. Thanks for your encouragement. I am taking the next course and i know i will enjoy it and
learn a lot too.
Muchas gracias
Date: Monday, January 3, 2005 4:42 pm
I think I did take on too much plus I wasn't sure how virtual campus worked. I didn't have a clue how much work it was and I couldn't always
figure out how to find my assignments especially in another course. All this plus 2 kids and a fulltime job it just blew my mind. But I really
appreciate all you did being a teacher is just about teaching it's about caring that your students learn and you really do even though you've
never even seen our faces. That's a big deal and I'm glad to know there are still some teachers that really care.
God Bless
I think I did take on too much plus I wasn't sure how virtual campus worked. I didn't have a clue how much work it was and I couldn't always
figure out how to find my assignments especially in another course. All this plus 2 kids and a fulltime job it just blew my mind. But I really
appreciate all you did being a teacher is just about teaching it's about caring that your students learn and you really do even though you've
never even seen our faces. That's a big deal and I'm glad to know there are still some teachers that really care.
God Bless
Date: Friday, October 24, 2003 12:24 pm
This is my second [online course with the college] and was not impressed with the first course. But his course seems to have a professor that is
excited about the subject and it rubs off on the students. . . In closing, I am looking forward to this class. Hope I find other classes like this one.
This is my second [online course with the college] and was not impressed with the first course. But his course seems to have a professor that is
excited about the subject and it rubs off on the students. . . In closing, I am looking forward to this class. Hope I find other classes like this one.
Date: Friday, December 12, 2003 4:38 pm
It is always nice to know that an instructor cares about his students . . . and knowing that the person teaching you doesn't mind helping
you means a great deal. Thanks for being such a good instructor. I'm sure that having you for a class face to face would really be
enjoyable. I have really learned a lot and I have really enjoyed this class.
It is always nice to know that an instructor cares about his students . . . and knowing that the person teaching you doesn't mind helping
you means a great deal. Thanks for being such a good instructor. I'm sure that having you for a class face to face would really be
enjoyable. I have really learned a lot and I have really enjoyed this class.
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 10:42 pm
Hello. . . I find this online class a lot more interesting/easy to understand compared to my in the classroom history courses. Thanks! :)
Hello. . . I find this online class a lot more interesting/easy to understand compared to my in the classroom history courses. Thanks! :)
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:04 pm
Dr. Swords,
. . . Thank you for the second chance, it is greatly appreciated. You are by far one of the nicest and most enjoyable teachers I have ever had.
Your class is not like a traditional class, it is more like the real world than any other class I have taken. I believe this is the way all classes
should be taught, because the classroom does not help you in the real world. . .
Take care,
Dr. Swords,
. . . Thank you for the second chance, it is greatly appreciated. You are by far one of the nicest and most enjoyable teachers I have ever had.
Your class is not like a traditional class, it is more like the real world than any other class I have taken. I believe this is the way all classes
should be taught, because the classroom does not help you in the real world. . .
Take care,
Date: Monday, June 20, 2005 4:07 pm
I have enjoyed this class so much and have learned a lot more than I thought I would. You have been so kind to us and we really appreciate it.
The final was tough! But it was fun!
Good luck with your next class!
I have enjoyed this class so much and have learned a lot more than I thought I would. You have been so kind to us and we really appreciate it.
The final was tough! But it was fun!
Good luck with your next class!
Date: Thursday, May 19, 2005 11:14 pm
WOW!! THAT IS SO TRUE!! WHY CAN'T EVERY PROFESSOR BE LIKE THAT?? IT SEEMS THAT YOU WERE FOR SURE CALLED TO DO
THIS LINE OF WORK. THANKS FOR BEING AN UNDERSTANDING PROFESSOR AND I KNOW THIS IS ONE LESSON I HAVE LEARNED IN
THIS HISTORY CLASS ALREADY. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
WOW!! THAT IS SO TRUE!! WHY CAN'T EVERY PROFESSOR BE LIKE THAT?? IT SEEMS THAT YOU WERE FOR SURE CALLED TO DO
THIS LINE OF WORK. THANKS FOR BEING AN UNDERSTANDING PROFESSOR AND I KNOW THIS IS ONE LESSON I HAVE LEARNED IN
THIS HISTORY CLASS ALREADY. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2005 11:45 pm
Thanks Mike. I know you both have been very busy. The entire class really appreciates how you have helped us succeed! :)
Thanks Mike. I know you both have been very busy. The entire class really appreciates how you have helped us succeed! :)
Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Mr. Swords,
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Thank you for helping me connect with my grandmother again. I think this is the first paper I have
ever written that I felt like I was actually living it. Thanks again,
Mr. Swords,
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Thank you for helping me connect with my grandmother again. I think this is the first paper I have
ever written that I felt like I was actually living it. Thanks again,
Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 8:26 pm
Mr. Swords,
I would just like to say that you have been one of the most pleasant teachers I have experienced so far at Limestone. Your class is enjoyable
and you are extremely helpful and polite. I just wanted you to know that your overall attitude and your time spent are greatly appreciated by
me. You have sparked an interest that I never knew I had, so thank you for this opportunity. Thank you again Mr. Swords for this experience.
Mr. Swords,
I would just like to say that you have been one of the most pleasant teachers I have experienced so far at Limestone. Your class is enjoyable
and you are extremely helpful and polite. I just wanted you to know that your overall attitude and your time spent are greatly appreciated by
me. You have sparked an interest that I never knew I had, so thank you for this opportunity. Thank you again Mr. Swords for this experience.
Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 4:55 pm
Thanks for always being there for us! I hope to see you in future classes! Thanks,
Thanks for always being there for us! I hope to see you in future classes! Thanks,
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2005 7:12 pm
Either way, I've enjoyed the class, and if I take it again, I'll look for you. Your teaching style is both easy to understand, and makes it easy to
learn for yourself. I admire that. Thanks for your support,
Either way, I've enjoyed the class, and if I take it again, I'll look for you. Your teaching style is both easy to understand, and makes it easy to
learn for yourself. I admire that. Thanks for your support,
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