Kim Slekar - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Kim Slekar

Department: Biology

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GENETICS2
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Slekar is usually 5-10 mins late when beginning lectures. She also takes forever to explain simple instructions but then goes over tough material quickly. She is kinda hard to understand because she expects you to just know the material. Although, she is very helpful in her office hours and the TA's def help.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIO240
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There's 4 tests including the final and she gives 9 quizzes which you are informed of when and are able to study for. Easy 100 for 40% of your grade as long as you read before class. Tests are definitely doable

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO240
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She answers your question with another question which doesn't make sense most of the time. Really isn't that helpful. Attending class is kind of pointless. She always starts after the class time by at least 5 minutes in lab and lecture and it just kind of unorganized.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you can avoid her then do so! Very heartless professor. She can miss class if she is sick, but if you are ill expect no sympathy. Going to her office hours is pointless, she will mostly point the book pages to read if you ask her a question. I had to work really hard and I got a C+.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Class is not hard, but disappointing. Most of it is spent doing group work, which she'll then take 20 minutes or more to overexplain. Ten minute quizzes take 20-25 minutes, and then another 15-20 minutes are taken to do the group version. Just make sure you stay on top of your group work and you'll be fine, but don't expect to learn anything new.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Slekar does not deserve all the hate she gets on this page. She has a group activity based class and lectures very little which I actually found refreshing. Book can be a bore but all class activities reinforced the ideas mentioned in the book and made them fun. Don't skip because you sign in everyday. Tests are class activities rewritten.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Basically, you read & learn by yourself and then come to class with questions. You work within your groups to complete assignments based upon the reading. If you hate having to do the readings(you will get nothing out of class if you don't) then she may not be for you. Her grading is very fair & Straight forward. A "B" is not hard to get.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class is a backwards classroom so you will do all of the work in groups. There are very few lectures and mainly just assignments that you have to figure out. The tests are almost exactly like the assignments.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really did not like Slekar's style. It's a flipped classroom, so you teach yourself and do group work in class instead of a typical lecture. It's fine for easy topics but some stuff gets confusing and I had a hard time understanding things enough to do well on her tests, even though I'm usually fine with teaching myself.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed Dr. Slekar's class. A lot of people didn't like her teaching style and complained that she didn't lecture enough, but I learned so much from the way she taught her class. As long as you do the assigned reading before class and participate in the group activities during class, you will find the tests to be very straight forward

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I don't really understand the harsh comments before. I personally thought she was super helpful when I was really struggling in the class. The quizzes aren't every day and they're easy if you read before class for 5 min. Her tests are exactly what we do in class. What more can you ask for?

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The whole class is based on group work. Quizzes are 40% of your lecture grade. There's a lot of wasted class time. You'll waste 40 minutes of lecture for a ten minute quiz. When you ask clarification questions in office hours or after class she is dismissive and unhelpful. AVOID THIS PROFESSOR.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's a terrible teacher. I didn't learn a single thing from her in class lectures. Pretty much makes you teach yourself the material. I would not recommend, take Bloss instead.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Slekar's class is a straight shot - tests are directly from the in class exercises. You take quizzes that are open note and an easy A if you read. She might be a little monotone at points, but she is clear and helpful. If you need to take the class, she is a great option to take.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy! You take class quizzes - which are a joke if you read the textbook (open note quizzes also). Tests are just like the in class problems you do with you group. Fun, interactive, and easy B+ if you don't try.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A++ great professor! Tests are exactly like in class exercises. Homework and reading is not overwhelming. Very interesting and fun class. Lots of group based work.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIO224L
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed her as a lab instructor, she takes the time to make sure you understand the material if you ask and she is very knowledgable. Also the nicest person you could meet!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I hate teamwork with a passion! HOWEVER, in this class, it is not the kind where your grade depends on a bunch of idiots. You are placed in groups based on your 214 grade and then the smarter kids help the others understand. Tests are EXACTLY the same as the worksheets. Book necessary for quizzes. Great class if you get a good group!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Slekar is a great professor. The team based learning really helped me out because it forced you to at least look at the material on your own, and then her mini lectures helped clear up any fuzzy spots. The tests are basically all of the in class assignments put together and mostly short answer. Studying is essential, but the class isn't hard.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIO224
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hated the team based learning! It should have been Tuesday -Lecture, Thursday- TBL. Tests are not too bad and quiz grades really help you out. Pray you get a good group and prepare to teach yourself. Enjoy.