Go back to Class Resources.Ross F. Collins
Student evaluations
of classes, 2001-2006
(See below for link to older evaluations)
Fall 2001:
COMM 310, Advanced Writing, Public Relations
Number of times
taught: 3.
Enrollment Fall 2001: 23 undergraduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.94 (department mean: 3.88;
university mean 3.87).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 3.78 (department mean:
4.14; university mean 4.05).
COMM 700, Research Methods in Communication
Number of times
taught: 4.
Enrollment Fall 2001: 22 master's and Ph.D. students.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.15 (department mean: 3.88;
university mean 3.87).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.2 (department mean:
4.14; university mean 4.05) .
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
"Ross gives us practical, useful information in his lectures."
"The assignments have provided good writing practice."
"Ross is very willing to answer questions and offer suggestions for improving
our work."
"He does a great job in teaching the material."
Constructive
ones:
"Ask for more student input during lectures."
"Less lecture and more group time."
"Not so much group work."
"More time to work on assignments."
Mean ones:
"Grades given were out of opinion rather than fact."
"A boring lecture for an hour and a half and doing pointless group work."
"We seemed to waste a lot of time going around the room talking with each
student about his/her research."
"Ross just talks. He doesn't ask us questions or teach us anything."
Spring 2002:
COMM 242, Advanced News Photography (Photojournalism)
Number of times
taught: 2.
Enrollment Spring 2002: 16 undergraduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.9 (department mean: 3.84; university
mean 3.9).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 3.81 (department mean:
4.17; university mean 4.06).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
"Learning about Photoshop was very useful. Also I know a lot more about
how to use my camera better."
"I loved the critiques and class photo projects."
"Instructor always being at class and open to answer questions, flexible
deadlines."
Constructive
ones:
"More hands on, less lecture."
"Do critiques on line and e-mail results back to students."
"Maybe more practical examples in class--examples of what we should be
aiming for."
Mean ones:
"If the teacher would not jump around so much when lecturing. More planned
notes instead of scribbles on the board."
"He wasn't organized with grades, and he seemed 'spacey' in class sometimes."
COMM 362, Principles of Design for Print
Number of times
taught: 9.
Enrollment Spring 2002: 20 undergraduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.76 (department mean: 3.84;
university mean 3.9).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 3.94 (department mean:
4.1; university mean 4.06).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
"Collins is easy to talk to about problems."
"Refreshing Photoshop skills and having a step-by-step guide--particularly
helpful."
"Ross is a great professor and his exercises are perfect to learn the software."
Constructive
ones:
"I do not think students should be penalized in points for missing (excused)
class. In athletics, we cannot help it."
"Split the course between computer literate and non."
"More creative and team projects."
"Better instruction of lecture material; explaining Photoshop and InDesign
more thoroughly."
"When you give notes try to be more thorough and don't skip around so much."
"I know assignments were due a week later, but it would have been helpful
to have the exact dates on resources page. A lot of us have a lot going on. It's
hard to keep track."
Mean ones:
None!
Fall 2002:
COMM 431, Mass Media Ethics
Number of times
taught: 3.
Enrollment Fall 2002: 22 undergraduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.21 (department mean: 3.79;
university mean 3.88).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.42 (department mean:
4.08; university mean 4.04).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
This is an awesome class with a wonderful teacher. I've never had a class that
has literally changed the way I think about things. Great lectures, very interesting.
Constructive
ones:
A better schedule to follow in the syllabus. Often didn't have a clude what
we were going to be doing going into each class period.
Mean ones:
Seemed like a lot of wasted time.
COMM 436/636, Issues, History of the Mass Media
Number of times
taught: 4.
Enrollment Fall 2002: 16 undergraduate, 6 graduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.83 undergraduate (department
mean: 3.79; university mean 3.88); 4.4 graduate (department mean 4.14; university
mean 3.88)
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 3.91 undergraduate
(department mean: 4.08; university mean 4.04); 4.6 graduate (department mean
4.08; university mean 4.04).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
I do not know much about history and have learned so much from Ross. He is really
intelligent and knows a lot about history.
Constructive
ones:
Overhead/Powerpoint outlines of lectures for in-class use--to complement lectures.
Not be so vague in lectures.
Clearer explanation of grading on paper and daily assignments.
Mean ones:
None!
COMM 700, Research Methods in Communication
Number of times
taught: 5.
Enrollment Fall 2002: 19 master's and Ph.D. students.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.10 (department mean: 3.79;
university mean 3.88).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.0 (department mean:
4.08; university mean 4.04).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
Ross's incredible willingness to help me. Also, he seems fair and his tests reflected
exactly what the course is all about. Further, he returns emails fast! I appreciate
his patience and positive attitude.
Constructive
ones:
Follow the syllabus more closely, particularly later in the semester. It became
less useful as the semester progressed.
Discussing everyone's progressive study was redundant.
Possibly more experiential learning with the lectures.
Mean ones:
None!
Fall 2003:
COMM 431, Mass Media Ethics
Number of times
taught: 4.
Enrollment Fall 2003: 45 undergraduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.25 (department mean: 3.85;
university mean 3.91).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 3.77 (department mean:
4.15; university mean 4.1).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
I like his web site. It is really helpful.
I like the class discussions about ethical issues.
Instructor's experiences were interesting to hear about.
Constructive
ones:
More case studies.
The instructor should make the students be quiet and listen and give him more
respect by paying attention and listening.
More structure. Not so much debate.
Mean ones:
Don't offer it--it is truly pointless.
Don't have the class. It's unnecessary for the professional field. I've had
many people at the local TV station I work at ask why I'm taking it.
New instructor.
COMM 700, Research Methods in Communication
Number of times
taught: 6.
Enrollment Fall 2003: 18 master's students.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.93 (department mean: 3.85;
university mean 3.91).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.18 (department mean:
4.15; university mean 4.1).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
The instructor is very helpful and approachable.
The requirement of abstracting a large number of journal articles was very helpful.
Clear, organized course instruction.
Constructive
ones:
I would like to do some more group presenting or collaboration on papers just
because that is a lot of what actually is done in the field of comm research.
Teach us how to write a literature review.
Possibly talk more about the language that is used in research (prospectus and
abstract).
Mean ones:
The lectures are dated, and extremely scattered and unorganized.
Assignments are tedious and do not teach the intended lesson or process. I found
it to be an insulting waste of time.
Comm 242, Advanced News Photography
Number of times
taught: 3.
Enrollment Spring 2004: 18
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.3 (department mean: 3.84; university
mean 3.94).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.46 (department mean:
4.21; university mean 4.1).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
A
good foundation of photography and Photoshop. I enjoyed this class.
I enjoy his energy and teaching style. I have learned a lot.
The instructor knows a great deal about photography and has had a lot of photography
experience.
Constructive
ones:
More
time looking at good and bad photos.
Better explanation of how to use the camera before the very first assignment.
A few more exercises about f-stops and shutter speed.
Mean ones:
None!
Comm 362, Design for Print
Number of times
taught:10.
Enrollment Spring 2004: 15
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.53 (department mean: 3.84;
university mean 3.94).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.53 (department mean:
4.21; university mean 4.1).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
This
has been, without a doubt, the most useful and practical class I've ever taken
at NDSU.
Having the demonstrations in class really helped. It allowed me to see what
I was supposed to do.
The whole dynamic of the class has been helpful. Ross keeps the class exciting
and entertaining.
Constructive
ones:
Offer
more projects that require more creativity.
More time for in-class work.
Give more instruction on the software that is being used.
Mean ones:
None!
COMM 260, Principles of Internet Web-Based Design
Number of times taught: 1.
Enrollment Fall 2004: 20
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.5 (department mean: 3.73; university mean 3.91).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 3.8 (department mean: 4.05; university mean 4.0).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
I think your web site is a lot more useful than Blackboard.
Ross's experience in just about every field really shows in his teaching.
All of the hands on work is great, much better than just sitting at a desk hearing a lecture.
Constructive ones:
Have things in chronological order. Post what is due and when, so everyone has the same info.
Make sure there are enough programs to use when attempting to teach the program (example: Dreamweaver).
It's really hard to distinguish between message board chains/conversations.
Mean ones:
None!
COMM 436/636, Issues, History of the Mass Media
Number of times taught: 5.
Enrollment Fall 2004: 18
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.16 (department mean: 3.73; university mean 3.91).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4 (department mean: 4.05; university mean 4.0).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
I like how Ross is passionate abut media history. It makes the class more interesting.
Constructive ones:
Put the notes on an overhead so it's easier to keep track of what is going on in class.
Make the class more seminar than lecture based.
More organized lectures.
Mean ones:
Offer students caffeine so they don't fall asleep!
COMM 700, Research Methods in Communication
Number of times taught: 7.
Enrollment Fall 2004: 12
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.81 (department mean: 3.73; university mean 3.91).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4 (department mean: 4.05; university mean 4.0).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
Instructor was very understanding and willing to assist students with course materials.
The prospectus project rocks.
Constructive ones:
A lot more discussion to demonstrate the relevance, use and application of the content.
Incorporating the reading into the lecture more.
More organized lecture.
Mean ones:
None!
Spring 2005:
On sabbatical.
Fall 2005:
COMM 260, Principles of Web-Based Design
Number of times taught: 2.
Enrollment Fall 2005: 19
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.57 (department mean: 3.88; university mean 3.95).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.14 (department mean: 4.18; university mean 4.13).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
Collins cares and wants you to be excited about the web as well. He is in depth about the background of the net.
The instructor's web site was used very effectively. It was the hub of the course and unlike some other class web sites, it was very easy to use.
Constructive ones:
The instructor had a tendency to rush through examples.
I would like to see more focus on HTML and CSS.
Mean ones:
Possibly a less disjointed professor.
HON 491, World Press and American Power
Number of times taught: 2.
Enrollment Fall 2005: 12.
No evaluation is available for this class.
Spring 2006:
Comm 242, Advanced News Photography
Number of times
taught: 4.
Enrollment Spring 2006: 17
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.27 (department mean: 3.86; university
mean 3.98).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.27 (department mean:
4.18; university mean 4.14).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
All of the different information about cameras and the awesome instructor.
Dr. Collins knows his stuff!! He was a very credible, professional instructor and I learned way more about photojournalism than I anticipated.
Constructive
ones:
Spend more time working with cameras in class.
Mean ones:
None!
COMM 431, Mass Media Ethics
Number of times
taught: 4.
Enrollment Spring 2006: 27 undergraduate.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.26 (department mean: 3.86;
university mean 3.98).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.47 (department mean:
4.18; university mean 4.14).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
Dr. Collins is an amazing instructor who goes out of his way for his students. He gives assignments that really make you step out of the box and think of different perspectives. Probably the best instructor I've ever had at NDSU.
Too much of college is lectures. We had so many discussions in this class and get to express opinions without being judged.
Good notes, energetic instructor, class is fun.
Constructive
ones:
More structure and less notes.
More discussion panels.
Do more than just lecture. Get involved!
Bring in more panels to discuss current ethical issues.
Give us more direction, I don't feel that I have learned how to be more ethical.
Mean ones:
None!
Fall 2006:
COMM 260, Principles of Web-Based Design
Number of times taught: 3.
Enrollment Fall 2006: 25.
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 4.0 (department mean: 3.83; university mean 4.01).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.33 (department mean: 4.27; university mean 4.20).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
Quick response from teacher through email, info online, assignments online.
The instructor's web site was used very effectively. It was the hub of the course and unlike some other class web sites, it was very easy to use.
He is very friendly and energetic, making class more interesting. He clearly explains everything and respects our time by giving us time in class to work on assignments.
Ross is very knowledgeable and can help us understand the content even if we are new to the information.
Constructive ones:
Media cart. Working computers. More access to Dreamweaver. Basically, improve technology.
A couple of larger projects done outside of class or during extra class time.
Don't study HTML or CSS because they are out dated and we aren't here to be computer programmers.
Less on content, more on programs.
More on applying what we learn to actually creating a web site.
Maybe go over a couple less topics so more time could be spent on others.
Mean ones:
Nothing's really been helpful. I feel this class was a waste of time and I did not learn anything I did not already know. Have someone else teach it!
COMM 436/636, Issues, History of the Mass Media
Number of times taught: 6.
Enrollment Fall 2006: 25
Average rating (5=highest, 1=lowest):
Course rating ("quality of course"), 3.5 (department mean: 3.83; university mean 3.91).
Instructor rating ("instructor as a teacher"), 4.25 (department mean: 4.27; university mean 4.20).
Selected student comments
Nice ones:
The essays helped me learn better.
Dr. Collins is good at explaining the course content.
I really liked the seminar format.
Ross rolls with it. He seems to know things don't always go as planned or that they change on the fly and I think he's good at doing that. Flexible.
Constructive ones:
I really believe that I would have learned more if this was taught as a regular class rather than a seminar.
More debate, less "teaching" during discussion.
More organized lectures.
Smaller class size or making sure those with papers contribute.
No seminar style. I really have enjoyed Ross's style of teaching up to now, as I have had him in other classes. I don't prefer the seminar style.
Mean ones:
None!
Ross F. Collins student evaluations 1994-2000.
Do good-looking professors get higher ratings? Apparently, this study shows.