James Kao - San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Professor: James Kao

Department: Physical Ed

College: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I'm still traumatized and I hear horror stories. I only had him as a counselor; he lost my graduation application 2x and I had to apply 3x. I finally went to Janet Claire and she took care of me after I mentioned that he was my counselor. He was always on his phone when I talked to him. I sent him numerous emails and he responded to 2/5 emails.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I took his kin 158 summer course because I thought it would be easier and it was the best experience! People always hype Dr. Kao up as being a hard and unapproachable teacher but he's really not that at all. He's there to help you and his grading system is really in your favor. Highly recommend summer course over regular semester!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

There was a malfunction on the remote during the second exam 10 min before class ended. Everyone had to take the exam all over again and he made it even harder. Never even apologized for the what happened but instead sent a rude email to everyone. This class is tough and requires a lot of work but prepare to work hard if you want to get an A or B.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Lectures are half-assed. Uses his smartphone as a visual aid instead utilizing technology in a way that's helpful for students. All testing is WORD for WORD regurgitation of his textbook. He's incredibly rude when working one on one. Sjsu should hire someone new to teach this class and keep Kao for his research studies since that's what he likes

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Honestly one of the most ridiculous teachers i have ever had. He expects you to memorize his book word by word and if you get 2 words such as greater or larger mixed up, you get the whole paragraph of 20+ questions wrong after that. You dont do any actual hands on application of what you learn in class. Sucks nobody else teaches the class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

The information of biomechanics is very important and useful in our studies as Kin majors. However, in this class you will learn his way of "biomechanics". You will memorize HIS book word for word. Although some of his information is good. You will not be learning it. Also, good luck passing your first go around. No extra credit, don't ask him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Expect to memorize meaningless sentences. He expects students to memorize phrases and words that NO ONE would ever think of. Its not about learning concepts and applying them, its about studying information the way he presents it. Ironically, there is no real-world application of his teaching methods.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is an outstanding professor. One of the best professors you'll ever have. BUT, be prepared to work HARD! Who said Biomechanics is ever easy? But he's going to make it easy for you to understand the concept because his lectures are CRYSTAL CLEAR. However, you'll need hrs & hrs studying for the models as it is a LOT of material. Don't get behind.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 158
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Kaos class was excellent for 165 Motor Development, however 158 Biomechanics was very unreasonable. I don't think theres much can be done since hes the only teacher teaching this class and he wrote the book for it. Very nit picky on how he grades labs. I didn't learn anything in this class besides proper terms and names of models.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: KIN165
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Took Dr. Kao for Motor Development and all I could say was that the class was fairly straightforward and easy. Many students complain about the quizzes given every session,but these quizzes come right off the study guides he gives you. EVERY question will be given to you..it's up to you to study them in and out. Point is, you gotta work for that A

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: KIN165
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Good professor. Five-point quiz everyday at the start of class; don't be late! Gives questions to study off of, and slides are straightforward. He wants everyone to do well in his class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great and passionate professor. Quizzes everyday at the beginning of class so don't be late. He teaches you to be clear and concise with writing on exams. Provides questions to study off of. Always willing to answer questions. Take notes, do labs , and read his book and you will be fine.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very knowledgable and detailed. But as a teacher has slightly unrealistic expectations of students and is incredibly obstinate. And as a person I don't think I'd ever want to be around him. If you don't word something exactly the way he wants, no credit. Even if you show you understand the concept. Shame there is no other teacher for this course.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: KIN154A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class is challenging, you have to put in the work. You will learn things, but be very critical and you can pass the class. I did come into the class thinking I was going to fail however. and KNOW YOUR BIOMECHANICAL MODELS!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very clear lecturing on Dr. Kao's part. Among the best I've seen. But... he can't seem to reply student emails respectfully. Needs to change his attitude on his reply emails. Overall a 3/5 quality professor.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: KIN154A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Kao is extremely knowledgable in Biomechanics and a very reasonable person. His grading and teaching methods are unusual, but very fair and makes a lot of sense. He's not the most approachable person for help, but he is also not hard to talk to. He's very flexible with assignment due dates and tests.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Kao is a great teacher. He expects a lot of his students, but I see nothing wrong with that. You do have to work hard, but nobody said learning was easy. Put in the effort, study hard, yes there are daily quizzes but devote a bit of time everyday and you will do just fine.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great teacher! He makes the material very interesting and uses real life examples for you to better understand the material. He has quizes the first 5 minutes of class that are not very hard. All of his tests questions are pulled from the quiz questions. He incourages you to stay on track with the material which really helps you up in the long run.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: KINA
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

wow he was my toughest instructor ever. I ended up with a C- in the class so I changed my major. I was so sad because I love kin but its a prereq class so theres a lot of pressure. I tried so hard normally I am an A- to B student. The class will consume you. There is no homework but there are daily quizzes and HARD tests that you MUST pass & no EC

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: KIN158
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Kao knows his biomechanics! He is very clear in terms of what he expects from his students. Students who don't put in the time to review lecture/lab content complain and make up excuses. Follow his suggestions and work hard--you can benefit from this great teacher.