Elaine Koffman - Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Professor: Elaine Koffman

Department: Education

College: Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: EDFN313
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Robert Altman once stated that the films that taught him the most about film-making were not the ones he admired but the ones who disliked. Thus it is with Dr. Koffman. I am glad I took this class only as an example of what NOT to do as a teacher. Terrible, terrible lectures based on literally tens of thousands of bits of info. Unnecessary depth

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: EDFN407
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She's awful, but my advise is: 1.) Write down everything she writes and says during lectures. She will want HER words on the test, not an interpretation of them, 2.) Get comfy with APA and do it EXACTLY as she describes for the paper assignments, 3.) You will have to answer a TON of questions before the tests, DO THEM! They will help you pass.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: EDFN307
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

AVOID AT ALL COSTS, SHE FAILED 90% OF THE CLASS I WAS IN ON THE FIRST TEST, GRADING IS RIDICULOUS. ALMOST THE ENTIRE SECTION DROPPED THE CLASS, BURN $1300 AND SMASH YOUR FACE AGAINST A WALL, YOU LL GET MORE OUT OF IT THAN ATTENDING HER CLASS

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: EDFN307
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Here are my tips: 1) Bring a computer. Copy Dr. Koffman's topic outlines into a Word document and take notes on it. She goes in perfect order and is very organized. 2) Write what she says word for word. This is what she expects on the test, not your own interpretations. 3) Go to every class. If you can't, GET THE NOTES. 4) Participate A LOT.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: EDFN313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is the toughest grader I've had. Even if you answer the test questions correct, she still marks it wrong because it is not how he wants it. It seems like nothing you do will please her. I do not recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: EDFN407
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Papers are difficult to get an A on, tests are the same. Both because of her ridiculously unfair grading. She's a cute little 70yo lady, but due to the grading, avoid at all costs.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: EDFN407
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unless you can recite the answers verbatim out of the book, you will not do well in her classes. I thought I would do well in the class. I read, went to class, studied for the tests, but alas it was pointless. If you look at her syllibus it doesn't look that bad, and it's not the assignments it's the way she grades.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: EDFN406
• 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:

She is a funny woman. Yes, she is always 5-10 minutes late, but at least one other person was also late at each class. To make up for it, we never took off early like my other classes AND we made up for a holiday for which we missed class. Koffman is pretty much "by the book." Classes are not structured around the book nor are the tests. However, s

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ELAD109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Koffman is very nice and understanding if you have a problem, but her classes are extremely boring and she is constantly 15 to 20 minutes late to class. I would not recommend taking any of her classes if you can help it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: EDFN406
• 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:

Dr. K is a harmless old woman who may be a bit set in her ways, but her syllabus outlines what needs to be done. Do it, and you should get a good grade in the class. Her tests are a bit rough, but if you take good notes in class you get to use them on the test, so no worries there! Also, she uses the overhead projector still and it's quite comical!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: EDFN307
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Infuriating. I am a highly- motivated student who enjoys learning, and she is killing Ed. Psych for me. She is never any less than 15 minutes late and never apologizes or even addresses it. She does nit-pick on papers, and tests consist of word-for-word regurgitation of lectures. Which are mind-numbing as well. Waste of money & time.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: EDFN307
• 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:

I am in class now. I have a 4.0 GPA but i'm afraid that will change after this class. she has been consistently 20 min. late for every class we've had, waisting my time and $$$, both very precious since i have little of either. her notes & lectures make no sense & she never post materials on BlackBoard on time or when she says she will.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: EDFN406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

HORRIBLE!!! I would rather perform open heart surgery on myself than ever have to sit in her class again. Always LATE! Very unclear, embarrasses students in class and unhelpful. Impossible tests and harsh grader. I went to her office hours for extra help... I wished after I hadn't! DO NOT take this class if she is teaching it, I learned nothing!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: EDFN407
• 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:

(+) Very kind & sweet. I feel first 2 lines of 7/31/08 comments are false; last 3, true (?) 15-25 min late, EVERY class. Has clearly NOT internalized content she teaches. Ridiculous critique of work. Think U?ve done well on an assign? Just wait! Illust. & examp. used in lectures VERY poor. All tests & some papers = word-4-word regurg.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: EDFN406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'm on my last few classes towards finishing my MA degree and this woman is by far the worse professor I've had. She can only give dictation and hides behind her lack of ability by being picky on inane information. It's funny that she's teaching this course because she is a constant reminder of how NOT to teach. I can only guess that she's tenured.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: EDFN307
• 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:

It is possible to do well and rarely attend class. This woman is the most boring teacher I have yet encountered at NEIU. She does not like when you disagree with her and is consistently late. She is EXTREMELY picky on papers, marks every comma you missed etc. I would try to take Wheeler for this class if given a choice.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: EDFM307
• 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:

Worst ever. Very rude! she won't allow students to say anything she disagrees with in class and shuts them out. She embarrases you when you try to participate. Also Very Biased, she says it and asks you dont write your name on the front of tests. Horrible grader.Can't believe tecahers like her still exist! head of dept, so u cant complain!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: EDFN407
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She is a picky grader and does come late consistently, but I enjoyed the two classes I took with her. She is pretty clear with her expectations. I did not find her to be horrible at all.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENFN313
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

When you take professor koffman's class it is easy to gain an understanding of why the college picks who can take the class and when. They are making sure she has someone in her class. She has a bad personality, consistently steals time by being at least fifteen minutes late, she has students to buy the book then gives tests from her lectures.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ELAD109
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Koffman isn't that bad of a teacher. I find her to be really nice but you have to get on her good side right from the start! She grades hard but she is really understanding! She is really nice but do not sit in the back of the class, dont talk while she is talking, dont sleep in class... just be respectful!