Student Feedback - 2015

At the end of each term, students fill out the IDEA Survey.  Students are asked to rate the course readings, assignments, and competencies as well as the instructor.  Students are also asked to rate themselves and what type of student they consider themselves to be.  At the end of every survey, students are permitted to leave additional comments about the professor and the course in general.  Below are a few of the comments that I have received during the last year with the IDEA Survey:

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Towards the end of a term, students typically leave feedback in the classroom or via e-mail:

Noted by one of my PH312 students in February 2015: “…I wanted to thank you for all of the help you have been during this course.  You pushed us to be the best we can be. I have enjoyed this course and I have learned a great deal…

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In April of 2015, one of my PHOA113 students sent me an e-mail stating, “This lighting class has been a very fun and informative class! I have been in a rut with some of my classes lately and this class was just what I needed. Professor Fiander you are an awesome instructor! I hope to have you again in some of my future classes”.

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In another PHOA113 course, a student wrote a nice memo in her final assignment thanking me for a positive learning environment: “I have been (taking) classes with AIPOD for quite a while now and I feel that every classroom should be run the way that Instructor Fiander did (in hers).  She answered questions in a timely manner, she gave us plenty of information for what we were working on and/or websites (resources) that would help us.  She also took the time to make videos that we can learn from.  I just have to say that this has been the best classroom environment thus far for online.  I want to thank her (Fiander) for that and also thank all of my classmates”.

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This past year, I had a number of students ask me if I taught the “next level” of the course. It’s always great to have students inquire about a future class they could take with me.  I find that working with “repeat” students is extremely beneficial for them but also for the class.  The “repeat” students usually help “set the tone” in the classroom as they already know what I’m looking for as an instructor.

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One of the most rewarding things is to receive positive feedback from a “soon-to-be” alumni of the program.  Below is a response from one of my recent PHOA109 students, who recently completed the Certificate in Studio Photography program.  She writes, ” As nervous as I am sending my final project, I would like to thank you for all of your critiques and advise. I learned so much from your classes that I wish I had you in all of the courses. You were tough and I benefited from that immensely… If possible, would it be okay to run images by you for professional critiquing in the future? I would love to keep in touch. Hopefully, pick more of your brain and become better acquaintance”.  The student enjoyed the course, improved her photography, and wants to stay in touch in the future. As a professor, this is the highest form of a compliment.  I’ve always maintained that the “real” education occurs after the course has ended when all lighting and photographic theories are put to test.  Naturally, I always like to hear what the alumni are up to:

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From time to time, I also have the pleasure of hearing from our alumni through e-mail, the Bēhance network, and/or Skype:

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