Ray Ballard - Texas A&M University at Commerce

Professor: Ray Ballard

Department: TBD

College: Texas A&M University at Commerce

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ballard is very knowledgeable he is well intended but he needs some help with his classes set up. His equipment is either very bad or very cheap and it makes it very hard to understand any lecture. I spent most my time trying to decode his poor writing on the online class and replaying his recordings to figure out what he was saying.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ECON562
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

3 multiple choice exams, and 3 opportunities for extra credit. Dr. Ballard holds a weekly live lecture, and if you can understand the lecture there is a lot of knowledge to learn. I spoke to him on the phone once, and the interaction was pleasant, however, his recorded lectures are problem/theory based, and the exams are concept and multi choice.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible professor. Couldn't understand him during lectures at all. Sounded like he was mumbling or falling asleep. His lectures are all about the math aspect of eco, however tests are all concept based, and are extremely tricky. Worded completely different from book. Everyone in my class was worried.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Lectures are terrible. Prof should pre-record them for each chapter and then have class live to work problems. Should also have printable solutions to problems to make up for poor handwriting and for people that self teach (me). Worst textbook I've ever seen: poor example problems and Index is limited so test questions are impossible to look up.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

3 classes and extra credit opportunities. Not all that difficult, but the class live sessions were horrible!! He is a good guy and even gives his cell number for any questions, but it's 2 hours twice a week of nearly unintelligible lecturing. It is nearly impossible to understand what he's saying. If you have a mathcalculus background you'll breeze through.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Well, online lectures were torture, all they consisted of was working problems yet tests were all multiple choice concept questions. Seems like a nice man but would never take again

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Economics is not easy; Dr. Ballard made it manageable. He moves slowly through the online sessions to ensure deeper understanding. He encourages questions and gives students his cell number to call and ask questions. The course is only three exams and extra credit. He does give a review prior to each exam.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Just bad. The course content is not too difficult, but the presentation is seriously lacking. Exam questions are vague and unclear. Lectures are long and slow. Professor is inaccessible through email. I would not recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hated the class. couldn't understand a single word he said. stay away.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice and helpful, and the class wasn't too hard. But it's hard to take a professor seriously when the class is disorganized with an outdated syllabus. I had an issue with an exam question I thought was marked wrong, and he never responded to my email about it. A huge turn off. What's worse is he and his GA have such poor grammar.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not an easy course if you do not have a minimum of math and statistic background. Dr. Ballard was very helpful however it is difficult to understand what he says. Read the book thoroughly and do the extra credits if you want to get an A.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• 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:

Dr. Ballard makes economics tolerable. He is laid back, will always take your phone call for questions but does appreciate lecture attendance. He provides enough extra credit to bump up 1 letter grade. Economics is not the easiest class for me, I made an A and would definitely take him again.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is very nice, although he's probably one of the worst teachers I've ever had. He doesn't explain things very well. The online class meets twice a week and I just feel like I don't get anything out of it. I would not recommend him to anyone.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ECON562
• 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:

Took the 4 week online summer session. Dr. Ballard is very kind and does take an interest in his students. However, the course seemed so disorganized that it was more difficult than it should have been. He is very available, but seemed to overcomplicate the format of the class. I would not take him online again.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He does not give you the curve if you do not do the "extra credit " work. Do the extra credit work "or else". Attendance is not mandatory, but he holds absence against you when you miss. So I am told if you are dual track (5-year MBA) his demeanor toward you is MUCH better.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• 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:

Dr. Ballard is an extremely helpful professor and is always willing to help. He is one of the kindest people I have ever met and he truly cares about his students. I would highly recommend his class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• 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:

Great professor. Took the online class. Attend the live classes, do the required problems and you will be fine. He is always easy to reach and responses fast. Tests are tuff, but he does adjust the curve! I would take him anytime again!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ECON562
• 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:

Course is somewhat difficult, but not overwhelming. Fairly generous extra credit is offered. The online section offers a weekly lecture. Dr. Ballard is very nice, but explanations/instructions are at times hard to follow and, on certain occasions, contradictory to those given previously.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

took this professor for Managerial Economics. not too much work but the exams are not easy. You will need to study to pass the exam and watch the lectures. If you are looking for a class with very few assignments but two difficult exams - this is it. I recommend you do the extra credit.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ECO562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Nice man, easy class, but I wouldn't recommend. Dr. Ballard forgets what chapter the lecture is on half the time, does not communicate well by e-mail, can't use technology. He'll assign problems, but won't give you the solutions. When you ask him about it, he'll forget what problems he gave you. Take Swift if you want to learn economics.