Donald French - Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Professor: Donald French

Department: Biology

College: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very rude, he uses a flipped classroom (lectures online) to "teach". These lectures are very hard to follow due to the horrible audio and he is very hostile when asking questions. Try to get another bio professor if you want any time to work on your other classes

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Doesnt teach and answers questions with a question.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: BIO1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

French is a great professor. You might not like the work he gives, bc its flipped classroom style. If you watch the videos, and really understand, and ask meaningful questions in class, youre going to get an A. He is sarcastic at times, but hes also pretty funny. He actually cares about you understanding the material. Btw he writes the tests!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: BIO1114
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very condensing towards his students. His classroom is flipped so that means that the lectures are online and in class you talk about them, for me it was a really difficult way to learn. I would definitely take this class at a community college. 100% easier.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. French is one of the best professors I've ever had. His classroom is flipped so you have to watch the lectures outside of class and during class participate in clicker questions, which are graded for accuracy, and group work. You have to work very hard and stay on top of the material to succeed but utilize SI sessions, and the preview material.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Incredibly condescending. Creates a very hostile learning environment, makes it hard to learn anything. He also expects you to spend 2+ hours before every class period teaching yourself the material so that he can grill you on it during class-time and make fun of your wrong answers. In general is disrespectful of students time. Lab is easy though.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. French doesn't teach. he expects students to figure things out for themselves and answers your questions with more questions. However, GO TO THE SI SESSIONS. SI leaders are so helpful and will actually answer your questions. even if you don't actually learn in class you should still go because he uses clickers and they're for a grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The success of his students is solely on the way he teaches his class, its a flipped classroom and he has a ton of resources on his webpage. Literally take all of the practice tests and actually read the textbook based on the required reading sections- the book explains everything so well, in lecture Im always so confused & the book helps clarify

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have discovered that I am more capable of teaching myself the material at home than he ever could in class. Though he does say that attendance is not mandatory if you miss more than three classes he will put you on "academic watch" no matter how high your grade.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: BIO1114
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS. He is a "flipped classroom" so all lectures are pre-recorded and you have to watch them online outside of class. There are no assignments except lab and clicker questions. In class he gives maybe 3 clicker questions somewhat relating to the chapter and then asks for questions. I was lost the whole time.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BIO1114
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor French is amazing. I was told his class would be extremely hard, but it's very doable. I enjoyed his flipped classroom because he forces you to really learn the material, not just for exams but for future classes. Choose this professor if you are willing to work hard and study hard for the grade you want. He's also pretty funny.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took the honors version. He really knows what he's talking about, he makes the tests, but he doesn't really teach. He just expects the students to figure it out themselves. He has a flipped classroom which is hard to learn in. I found that my grade improved after I stopped going to class and just studied on my own. DO TONS OF PRACTICE TESTS!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is very challenging, BUT he is by far the BEST prof in the department!! It is a flipped classroom so you have to watch his lectures outside of class because you do mostly discussion in class and activities to actually LEARN the material, not just memorizing. You must study LOADS for the test, but he is very willing to help you if needed!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's the best biology professor at Okstate (highest test average), I definitely recommend taking his class. He is hard and you will have a lot of videos to watch outside of class, but if you attend his lecture and participate you will do fine.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: BIO1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. French is very sarcastic and can be hard to get along with. I did not like his "flipped classroom" teaching methods because the videos took up an exorbitant amount of my time and I had to teach myself all of the material. However, he writes all of the biology 1114 tests, so listening to the topics he stresses in lectures can be advantageous.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I hated his flipped classroom, I felt like it took too much time and I personally learn better by reading rather than listening. But, he's one of those professors that genuinely wants you to understand the material. He'll put you on the spot sometimes, but he has your best interest at heart. USE HIS PRACTICE TESTS!! sole reason I got an A.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I didn't like the flipped classroom (videos outside of class, discussion in class). It takes up a lot of outside class time. Dr. French is very knowledgable on the subject but I didn't personally mesh with his teaching style/personality. Study for the tests or don't pass.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

You watch the lecture videos outside of class and class time is spent talking about the material that was discussed on the video. At first the sistum seems crazy and you won't like it. But as the semester goes on it gets better. He really does want you to understand and is very smart. His test averages are above the rests of the professors

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was in the honors section with Dr. French. You watch his lectures online, and go into class to discuss, ask questions, and check your knowledge of the subject. After spending time with him in class, you understand his personality and realize his goal is to make sure you understand the material. Tests are tough, so study a week ahead!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: BIOL1114
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. French was a great professor, lectures are online and you come to class to discuss. More helpful than you think, make sure to utilize practice exams on the course website. Wouldn't have passed without those! Also holds study sessions before exams, really great guy.