Laura Taalman - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Professor: Laura Taalman

Department: Mathematics

College: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CALC232
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Taalman is one of the most friendly and caring math professors I've ever had! That being said, her class is quite difficult as you are expected to teach yourself the entirety of the material in this course. The grading is a bit strange, but allows you to focus on only the things that are difficult for you. Great professor, hard class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Have fun teaching yourself calculus. If you can master(3 out of 3) 15 out of 18 quizzes you will get an A in the class. The only problem is she doesn't teach and don't even get me started on the pigtails.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you don't like flipped classrooms don't take her as a professor. I really disliked the class and thought it was awful. She had all of her office hours online so meeting in person was hard. She is nice and all but I dreaded going to her class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The flipped classroom worked well for me. Everything was explained very well in class and all questions were answered clearly. I skipped class a lot, so I ended with a B, but if i hasn't skipped I would have gotten an A. So don't skip and you'll do really well

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: D-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She spends 1 class on a section and assigns way too much homework due by the next class as if it is your only class. Also beware this is a flipped class, so you teach yourself and go to class to ask questions. She is a nice lady, but gives no help when asked questions. My advice is take someone else. Worked like crazy and still received a D-.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Laura is very nice and wants everyone to do well, but I found her class to be the most challenging math class I've ever taken. She teaches as a flipped classroom (aka you read the material and learn it and then come to class with questions/group work). Two tests, a final, five homework quizzes, and daily reading quizzes. Notes allowed for quizzes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Such a nice, considerate woman but she teaches a flipped class. You're expected to read the material and teach yourself while class is focused on problems. This works for some students but you have to be motivated to do work. There are 3 tests and 5 quizzes there are also daily HW quizzes based on reading. Fair grader & gives partial test credit.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At first, i wasn't crazy about the flipped classroom thing. It's really hard at first. But after a couple weeks, it gets a lot better. It actually helped me learn a lot and I think i did better because of it. However, Im not crazy about how she isn't available much outside of class. I wish office hours were better.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CALC232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Nice woman, poor teacher. Doesn't break anything down & basically substitutes the text as the teacher. She did write the book but it's difficult to learn from it. No office hours, instead she has "online office hours" basically a big group chat that's very unproductive. Group work every class so she doesn't have to teach. A quiz a day too.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CALC231
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

First, Laura Taalman is a very nice person. That being said, she is the worst excuse for a professor I have ever had. The entire course is self taught, she explains nothing, answers no questions, and has quizzes every single day of class. She grades you based off of how she "feels" you did, there is no reasoning behind the grades you receive.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CALC231
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

avoid taking her at all costs. Doesnt teach at all. Thinks that group work replaces a lecture, and when she asks if you have a question, she never answers it and ignores you and asks if there is another question if it was too hard. Textbook is written by her and has multiple equations and solutions wrong. Hard tests and does not posts grade.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CALC231
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's nice and very knowledgeable in math, but we don't do much during class. Yu teach yourself everything; take your own notes from the textbook, choose what homework to do. Although there is no "assigned homework," you have to do it in order to pass. I highly suggest that you have a previous background in math before taking this class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GSCI104
• 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:

3D Printing is a lot of fun already and Laura makes even more so. She uses a relaxed teaching style and relevant technology current events to get students excited about the technology. She also challenges students to expand their creative and technical skills throughout the semester. Great for graduating seniors who need the 1 credit lab.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• 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:

TAKE HER!!!! Best professor at JMU! Laura really knows her stuff and does a fantastic job explaining the material. She expects her students to come to class having read the section a head of time and then goes over the material and answers questions in class. Take good notes! You can use your notebook on tests and quizzes!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH131
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Overall, I learned a lot in her MATH 131 class but I would not recommend for students who do not have a background in AP Calculus. You are required to know EVERYTHING in the textbook, but it is up to you if you read it or not. If you are having trouble she is always there to help if you approach her and tell her your situation.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GSCI104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Overall good teacher, very clear about want she expects and very friendly. Always willing to help and I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CALC232
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very independent, you kinda have to teach yourself, if you don't learn that way take someone else. Not easy but a very fair grader!! Very helpful if you make an effort to see her after class!! She wants to see you succeed and if you try she will

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MATH232
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is very independent because you have to read/ do A LOT of (optional) homework problems yourself. It can be difficult to follow along in class because you pretty much teach yourself and she moves quickly. However, she is more than fair with her grading and she wants you to succeed! If you're a fast learner, I would recommend her.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GSCI104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher who knows everything about 3d printing. Fun and everything a professor should be, take her.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GSCI104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Laura is the best!!!!! Take her! She is so sweet and cares.