Ronald W. Mayer

I think that plenty of classes can be taught online. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. At least, not the way Prof. Mayer structures it. These past few online courses have made me lose faith in taking classes online, and this certainly adds to it. Prof. Mayer strucures his classes (both Psych 200 and 601 online courses) as having 10 units (chapters/lectures). Within each unit are “modules”, usually three for each unit. At the end of each module are multiple choice questions in review for the test. At the end of each unit is a unit test, also multiple choice. I don’t think you could make an online course any duller than writing out in size 10 font a page full of boring information about the theoretical “background” of psychology. I think anyone interested in the topic would be better off taking a philosophy course. Like others have said, I doubt I’d retain any of the information I’ve read.

The final consists of coming to campus for the 100 multiple choice exam. He allows you three chances to earn a grade (there are three different forms of the final) that's acceptable to you, because basically, *WHATEVER GRADE YOU EARN ON THE FINAL IS YOUR GRADE FOR THE CLASS*. I suppose the final would be fairly straightfoward had you done the work as expected, but there's so much information packed into each unit, it's impossible to remember almost all the details. You are expected to complete at least one unit a week on average and earn at least an 80% proficiency on each unit tests (meaning, you can only miss 4 questions out of 20) before he'll allow you to take the final, but he's a bit lax on this (i.e., he won't be anal if you miss 5 questions on a unit test).

It's too bad we weren't able to do an evaluation for the course, because Dr. Mayer could do a few things to improve the course:

1. Reread the material and EDIT it for typos, use larger fonts, and add links where they should be (e.g. to answer key's at end of unit, instead of always having to click on the BACK button or having to have separate windows open) 2. Condense the units

3. Add why the answer is right or wrong after the "computer" grades the unit tests--sometimes there isn't an explanation for every question. State specifically, next time.

4. Incorporate links to informative pages into the units, and have it be a necessary part of the unit and not just an option; it'll give your students a break from having to read paragraphs worth of boring material that you have created--Geez, I can hear the monotony of the words eminating from the page!!!!! For God sakes, add some humor into the lecture...Do something! I wouldn't be surprised if someone fell asleep reading your units!!!

His "scantrons" definitely show his age--I've never seen that sort of answer sheet before. It's extremely similar to a scantron (mark the correct answer between the lines), but it's on a regular sheet of paper, so he has to hand grade each one of them. You'd think if you had students taking a 100 multiple choice test, you'd make the grading easy on yourself. But whatever. I hope you don't have to take the final more than once, or else you'll just have to get used to him hovering over you every 15 min. to check and see: a) you're not cheating, and b) what question you're on. I mean, really; it's so obvious that we aren't cheating. For one, both people from his 200 and 601 class are taking the final, and second, we're not all taking the same form anyway. Dr. Mayer is old enough to be my grandfather; maybe it's about time that he retire...

Overall, this class is BORING--Don’t recommend. There are plenty more intriguing Psych classes worthy of taking on campus, regardless of how busy your schedule might be. It's obvious that his course is too dull and complicated. Why else does he give his students three chances to earn a decent grade on the final? As a side note, if you even know a little bit of HTML, you know that the answers to each the unit tests are embedded in the page (right click and go to "view source"). It really shouldn't matter much though, because if you don't do the readings and cheat on the unit tests online (they're not timed), you're not guaranteed a very good grade.

the online class is great...if psychology interests u his class will be a breaze. the "progress check" and "excersize" at the end of each module (chapter)is made so that the stuff you just learned gets implemented into ur head. only problem was the many errors in the text. but if u ever have a problem just email him and he wil be more than glad to help u.

For an online class by a PSY teacher very well organized, and really well geared towards self-pacing. The syllabus lays everything out, and there is no variance during the semster ( a good thing).

The online notes lack a little professionalism, but the review questions do actually cement the stuff into your head.

This is a self-paced course. Although Dr. Mayer is willing to meet with you, he rarely answers your questions. The course was interesting, but I can honestly say I don't remember a thing about the material. There was too much material and not enough support. I give Dr. Mayer a "B" because he's a nice guy and he means well. My advice if you take this class is to form a group and quiz each other. It is the only way to do well. Good luck!

Dr. Mayer is awesome. He is one of the few professors who offers a self-paced course and like others before me, I will also say you must be self-disciplined in order to do well in this class. I found the experience to be very motivating, personally, because generally classes move to slowly for my taste. However, Dr. Mayer was available for any questions that I had and explained things when they were not quite clear to me. I wish more classes were offered in this format and would definitely recommend Mayer and this class for anyone who thinks they will stay focused and do the work without being pushed. Good luck!

Professor Mayer's Psychology 200 earned a minimum performance beacuse it was a online class. Attendence wasn't required as long as you kept up with the work. Basically your teaching your self eveything! There is no teacher- student interaction. When your feeling unsure about a certain topic, then you just e-mail the professor!

The course is broken down into 13 units! Every week your expected to master a unit and keep on going! If you fall behind its up to you to catch up. The final is everything you have learned and that is your final grade. What you earn on the final is it!

There is no text book beacuse everyting is on the internet. I don't recommend this course because you don't get enough interaction with your professor, which may get in the way of your comprehension of the material and your final grade is what you earn on your final exam. I would think twice before takig this online course.

Dr. Mayer has a very interesting teaching style- few lectures, ocassionally talks off subject, which frustrates many students, and gives test retakes up to three times each. If you keep up, you have a test every week. If not, then you have a lot of make-up work to do. If you keep up exceptionally well, you can finish the class early. I persoanlly had a problem keeping up because the class was self paced and I got off track. Fortunatley I was able to catch up- it is possible! I would recommend this class only to very disciplined students who are very serious about their studies. I admire Dr. Mayer for allow students to be thoroughly responsible for what they learn. Everyday he asked if anyone had any questions about the material, and when someone did, he went over the question well. He only lectures on what students ask him to! Even after you take a test, he will ask you again personally if you understood everything, or need any clarification. Dr. Mayer is an excellent teacher, and only excellent students should take his course.

it was one of more challenging and interesting classes I've taken as an undegrad. his style fits me well: few lectures, self-paced, ready- go. warning- it is not for everyone; if you can not force yourself to study on your own, do not take him; he did fail a number of people. by the way, i took his class 2 years ago; things might have changed. i wish more professors gave students self-paced option; for me it was learning iducive and effective

just wanted to mention; since i know a lot of people are really critical of mayer's teaching style: if you are good at taking multi-choice tests and memorizing material on your own, it's a great class. while he doesn't do much in the way of actual lecturing, he's one of the few professors on campus that has gone out of his way to make it possible for those of us that are able to motivate ourselves to get 3 units and an "a" without sitting in a classroom for 3 hours a week at a university-scheduled time. I'd also like to mention that i put in about the allotted time committment (6 hours a week or so) and got an "a" in the class.

Dr. Mayer's class is an "online" class. The text is online and you take all the tests except the final online. This class is really boring and a waste of time. The only good thing about this class is that you don't have to go if you have access to a computer. The class is done at your own pace as long as you have all the units done by finals time. Basically you have to be able to read and understand the material without any lectures. I personally am not able to read and just magically remember all the material. I learn better through lectures supplemented with reading. This class is very difficult for me since I have to teach myself all the material. Many of the units also have typos in them which makes the reading more difficult. I do NOT recommend this class!