Phil Tate - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Phil Tate

Department: Education

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great lectures. However, got ignored when I was trying to reach him about unfair grade I received.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Tate is a very genuine person who is passionate about his subject. He does a good job trying to make information relevant to his students, although his lectures tend to be on the longer side. He is the type of guy who will sit down with students and have a nice chat over lunch. He is picky, but a fair grader. Gives second chances.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He clearly cares about his students but teaches in the same way our readings tell us to avoid. Lectures were SO long (and pretty boring) but field placements were amazing. Whether you'll like it depends on who you have as TF since they grade your work and lead discussion sections. He does encourage going to office hours and tries hard to reach you.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Tate's a great guy. Pros: Funny, caring, approachable. Very clear on what he wants for essays. Really cares about his students. Cons: Lectures are 2 hours long and can be a bit boring. Gives lots of readings. Takes attendance at every lecture.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great professor - really cares. Go to his office hours. Really, genuine kind person. Thanks, Prof Tate! You're awesome.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

3-hour lectures are torture. This class is a mandatory intro class, so there's no way out of it. Many of the assigned readings are VERY IRRELEVANT and UNNECESSARY. Do not waste your money on the textbooks. Grades are based on attendance, essays, and the final exam. It's a very boring class. Some TAs are very nice, & others are annoyingly stuck-up.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Tate is a very knowledgeable, well-educated man and he's obviously very passionate about the subjects of education, pedagogy, and current educational issues. Taking ED 100 with him really cemented my desire to be a teacher. Plus, the pre-prac experience was amazing! Warning: Your TF (Teaching Fellow) can make or break this class for you!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Tate is by far my favorite professor at BU. Knows his stuff really well and definitely wants his students to do well. You literally have to try to do poorly in this class because of all the chances given to students to redo bad papers. Gives all questions that are on the final. Get to know this man, its worth it; he talks up a storm.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ED101
• 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:

Go talk to this man!! It's hard to get by in this class without going to office hours because there are so many students and he doesn't know everyone. He's on your side, so just participate in class and make sure he knows who you are. Lots of grading depends on TF, which is a hit or miss, but befriend Tate and you're fine. He's a great guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

So far my favorite professor. But that may be because I like getting good grades practically handed to me. He gives you second chances on bad essays and practically tells you what the final is about. He was also very helpful and friendly, although his lectures (as mentioned before) can become a bit long and scattered.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

Good: Knows a lot. Charismatic guy. Sets clear expectations. Class can be fun. Cons: Tate's lectures often lack focus. Readings and lectures often don't connect clearly, which makes it hard to want to read the readings. However, 90% of the final is from the readings; the lectures are just the highlights.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

Professor Tate is the best. He's energetic, honest, and he knows the sector. Tate has taught everywhere, and has learned from the best schools, so he really knows his stuff. His lectures can be a bit long though. He's very approachable. Overall, a great professor!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This class is definitely important for anyone who is interested in becoming a teacher. Professor Tate teaches the class very comprehensively, except the 2 hour lectures can get very boring. Lots of reading assignments. The TF you have for discussion is primarily the source of support but Professor Tate is helpful and cares about his students.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

Professor Tate is seriously the best professor I've ever had at BU. He is the most caring man and really wants students to do well. He is so knowledgable and is happy to answer anything you need. Also, he is always available for office hours. Seriously, take this class, he's amazing.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

Awesome class with awesome professor! Tate is the friendliest, kindest professor I've had and he shows his passion for education during every lecture. The papers are graded fairly harshly but revisions are permitted. The class is even better with a good teaching fellow.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ED101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures in Tate's are fairly boring, though he is a good guy and there is not much that could change in a class so large. Much of the ED 100 experience depends on your section leader. Do your best to get into a good section leader's class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

First, Tate is a kind and caring man, clearly invested in the success of all students. He has a lot of experience and knowledge about ed. and lectures quite effectively. He grades moderately hard, and the class is very dense subject-matter wise, but overall he is an amazing professor (except for his abilty to put students to sleep in lecture) A+

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

While Tate is a wonderful and caring man with lots of stories, this is not enough to keep you awake during lecture. Thank gosh for the discussion sections, the TFs basically become your professors and Tate is just there as a guideline and someone to reference. He is a slightly tough grader, but lets you re-write if you get a certain grade. nice guy

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

He's always willing to help out, but he's not the easiest grader... If you have to take ED100, though, take it with Tate!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ED100
• 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:

LOVE LOVE LOVE PROFESSOR TATE! He cares so much about his students and knows so much about the subject of teaching. Tells amusing stories and gives relevant, interactive, fairly interesting lectures. TFs are also great. Field experience gives you a new perspective. LOTS of work-- tons of readings and quite a few papers, but you will learn so much.