Robert Balling Jr. - Arizona State University

Professor: Robert Balling Jr.

Department: TBD

College: Arizona State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

No attendance, no homework, no notes. Just 3 exams and a lab. Worst teacher I've ever had. Doesn't explain anything and everyone fails the tests. Only good thing is he curves them so people end up doing ok. He makes no sense and often talks about irrelevant topics, but sometimes in class he gives test questions so attendance is rewarded.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEO111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

the tests are tough. there is no book for this class and it was difficult to make notes. I would not recommend this class to anybody.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very hard class. Moves threw lectures to fast to follow. Without the curve most of my class would be failing.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Balling is good at geography, but his lecturecommunication skills are NOT good. Most lectures include half-explained slides with weather maps on them, and sentences like "and you look at this map and it's just obvious that there are pressure changes." Like, okay.. ? He's endearing, but you're going to need to work on your own. A lot.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing professor that is funny and cares about every student. He gives out test answers in class, so attendance is incredibly helpful. He only gives 3 tests the whole semester, so you have to do well on them. Fortunately, he curves all the tests, so if you know the right material you can pretty easily get an A.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: BS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Data is good.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are pointless other than to receive extra credit. Balling is a nice guy, but he often side tracks you with stories and talks really fast. The labs are very easy and the TA's was super helpful. Points of emphasis at the end of the powerpoint slides and the labs helped a lot.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Balling is a nice guy who likes to talk and get to know his students. His lectures are some what difficult to understand and his tests are hard because of that.He curves, I had a 72% total after the final and somehow after his curve ended with a B. Lab is supper easy, just make sure to get an A. And go to class for extra credit.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEO111
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The BEST teacher at ASU. Down to earth and a very nice guy. Study hard and you will get an A. Go to his office hours.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Learned nothing in this class... Didn't really lecture.. Just showed a slideshow with a bunch of photos with barely any explanation to them.. Tests are hard because he doesn't explain the material. Avoid at all costs!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GPH799
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Top notch. Knows his stuff and presents GIS concepts and geography with energy that is very motivational.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Balling is a good guy, class is pretty easy, he tells you what all the test questions are going to be related to. I never went to class, never studied and still passed. He curves the test grades and they are true and false, with some multiple choice with 3 and 4 answers each. I did not have the book either, if there was one.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I am an international student. It is harder to understand his accent than other professors. The test is also very hard. If u are an international student, absolutely not take his courses!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Fun and super knowledgeable teacher. Class attendance was not mandatory and tests were just 50 question multiple choice. My lab was easy as well.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• 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:

You don't have to go to class but I thought they were interesting. Class attendance is low except on test days. Really easy and fun class. No textbooks and he likes to talk to the students that attend class consistently.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, really knows his geography. Tells you what he expects on the exams, gives you test questions in every lecture and then goes through each test question the lecture before the day of the exam. He has 'points of emphasis' on his ppts (that he posts online!) that are usually on exam. Take him if you just need to fulfill science credit!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• 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:

Very helpful.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• 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:

Easiest lab class at ASU. Balling is extremely helpful and understanding to all his students. The material gets tricky at some points but if you attend class and read the points of emphasis at the end of his powerpoints then you should be good. Lab always gets out early, no book (except lab manuel), 3 tests (no final), and no homework. Fun class

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• 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:

Good teacher! He knows his stuff. You have to go to class to really understand the material. He gives 3 test during the whole semester and they aren't too hard if you study the points of emphasis on the end of the powerpoints. I recommend taking him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: GPH111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I rated it as hard because I absolutely suck at Geography, but don't let that deter you because he's actually very helpful, funny, and his classes are very focused. I recommend taking this class for Geography.