last assignment...

1) What did you most enjoy about the class? Why?
2) What did you least enjoy? Why?
3) If this class were to be taught again, what would you do to improve it if you were the instructor?

1. I most enjoyed the evolution of a new tribe, the evolution of a new country, its fundamental developments as well as the pure knowledge gained from facts. I have always enjoyed history classes. I believe history classes are a glimpse of our past and realizing the evolution of Canada is something unique and learning about this evolution was a fascinating experience. I also enjoyed the creative jokes, the comments made by both Dr. Ruane as well as some of our candid classmates in a bid to make the class that extra bit interesting. Learning about a new civilization is exciting in its own, the mentality of the people in those days reflects on our characteristics today and the they they lived their daily lives without the technology available to us today was simply genius-like. I loved the homework assignments, because it gave me an opportunity to explore Canada and its people, culture, events and construction from an out-of-class perspective and it got me learning a lot form a non-note-taking-basis, which really benefitted me. I believe I learnt more about Canada from the research I did to get my homeworks done than I could grasp in class. Of course, an overview of the notes meant that I understood the basics of the revolution.

2. I had a problem with the quantity of notes being given on a daily basis. It isn't so much of a problem as it is a hassle when studying for the exams. I would have definitely preferred slides, maps, movies, visual aids of the sort that perhaps could have aided my fellow visual learners like myself in the class. I appreciate the professor's efforts in trying to better the class by asking us what was wrong with the class. Indeed, very few professors take the time out to interact with their students and Dr. Ruane did a splendid job at addressing the problem. I also did not like the quiz methodology. I think it would have been better if we had essay questions since i believe I can score better and it is a flow with no exact correct answer. Most history exams have essays as the testing method and remembering exact pinpoint dates, names and events can be tedious for the amount of notes being given in class. Nonetheless, with the quantity of material to be covered, it was essential that notes be given, and I understand that, but defintiely, the bulk of notes was on the high side to memorize for a quiz.

3. I would improve on the visual aids for sure. I would also improve on the quantity of notes in teh class, perhaps skim over the bulky areas and concentrate on the more interesting aspects, like the living conditions of the people instead of concentrating on the method of governance of the Canadian government. Being the modern student that I am, I would love to know more contemporary Canadian history compared to the really archaic, and monotonous French rule over Canada. Yes, it is imperative to mention it, but it was done in excess, in my view. I believe also that the quizzes need to be shorter and a variety of questions need to be asked. Both True / false, multiple choice and an option of maybe 5 essay questions, with the student having a choice to answer maybe 2 out of the 5. The methodology for the midterm was fantastic, because it covered almost everything before the midterm exam itself and Dr. Ruane also told us what exactly to study because with such a bulky, quantity-heavy class, it is essential to realize that being a senior in college, it is very hard to memorize all the material being given. I remember i averaged over 8 pages per class in note-taking and that is simply a whole lot of notes.