Jim Ayers - Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC

Professor: Jim Ayers

Department: Philosophy

College: Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Doesn't talk loud enough, arrive late almost every time, is quite confusing, no structure, it's hard to distinguish correct answers. Tells students to not take notes. Follows the textbook exactly but doesn't give detailed course outline nor does he use VIULearn, at least for my course. No participation or attendance marks. He a bit funny though

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would never take a class with him again. Very unorganized, slow, doesnt talk loud enough, arrives late, no structure, never hands assigments back to us on time and is far too hard of a marker for a first year level course. Highly recommend choosing a different prof if there is another available.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHIL252
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Jim has an unusual teaching style. At first it can be confusing, but when (and if) you get it, it works. His methodology , true to classical philosophy, is to get you to "unlearn" what you thought you knew. You might be confused. Then, it is your responsibility to put the pieces back together. This leads to bona fide understanding.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

class is a snooze. He follows the textbook exactly but doesnt give a detailed course outline, so you must be in class for when he casually mentions the next chapter, than moves on to more low volume monotone talking. He disagrees with the text book a lot as well, so its hard to distinguish correct answers. Not recommended unless its necessary.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy, but you don't really get anything from the lectures. I never took any notes, not because I was lazy, but because I didn't need to. Sometimes repetitive and disorganized; a lot of pointless group discussions. You pretty much just rely on the textbook, and he does too. If you do the readings and the exercises you'll be ok.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I've taken a couple classes with him and I really like him. Seems like there's a love/hate aspect to his classes. His tone is a bit monotonous but I actually find it easy to concentrate and relaxing compared to some hyperactive Prof's. Encourages debate and values participation. Nice guy! Will take more classes with him.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: S15N01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

So monotone. I sit right infront of the guy and i cant hear a thing. He hands out photocopied papers that look like they were written on a type writer. He has unfinished thoughts. and is completely disorganized. I have no idea when the tests are, and neither does he! Would not recommend. Sorry. But honestly.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easiest and most boring class ever. He only lectures from the textbook... As in he reads it in class. I got a C+ without completing the final assignment worth 25%. Overall he is good though, I have had worse profs. He speaks very monotone but is funny. Just gotta pay attention.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I enjoyed this course very much, I can see how he's not for everybody, like those who are all about note taking.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHILO02
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

co9ol professor!! extrmely helpful and not very hard marker!! lenient with teh late assignments!! does push you to stress yourself to finish on time. exams are a bit hard but them it is philosophy you are supposed to think for this class.Totally recommend him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• 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:

Not a good professor for those who only know how to take notes, memorize, repeat. Great professor if you are willing to put in some work, truly listen, and participate. I would suggest enrolling in one of Jim's courses only if you are truly interested in the subject or inspired to put in a little work. I enjoyed my classes with him very much.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

always late, not supportive of the students, very UN-helpful Worst prof yet...take it in Nanaimo instead

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHIL448
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Typical class: shows up 15 minutes late. Spouts out half-baked, incoherent ideas for 20 boring minutes. Then leaves and drinks coffee for 40 minutes. Then comes back and says something that we all knew from the beginning, but v-e-r-y slowly to make it seem deep. Thinks he knows more about science than all scientists. Someone needs to fire his ass.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

My favourite teacher in the whole university. If you're actually interested in learning philosophy you wont find a better teacher in the school. He forces you to use your own brain, and doesn't give you cut and paste answers specifically because he knows that they don't help you learn how to think.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHIL251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found it extremely difficult to understand him, especially in class due to mumbling and illegible handwriting. he often doesn't say all that he thinks while explaining something, so you only get half the story, very annoying and very confusing. don't recommend this guy at all

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHIL112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found Jim to be very difficult to understand due to his terrible writing where even he has trouble to read, and how he will never give a straight answer when asked. As well as always being late including being 20 minutes late to his own exam. He is interesting though, I will give him that.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHIL111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This was the worst class I have ever taken at VIU. Jim very unclear and will not give you any notes so you basically have to figure it out for yourself. I would NEVER take a class with this prof. Avoid him!!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHIL251
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Disorganized and lazy delivery of material. No real insight or intelligence, but may fool first year students into thinking he is clever. Waste of money and time taking a course with this instructor,;should not be given the responsibility of teaching, a real disservice to students and the University.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHIL01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

at least i like this guy

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHIL100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It wasn't that Jim isn't smart, it's he's to smart. He was always late to class and always insisted on having a break dueing are 90 min class. He was all over the map and it was hard to follow any class discussions. I would not take another class with him.