What Others Are Saying about our Visits

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Below is what some of the teachers we have visited have to say.
Teachers were asked:
      1. On a scale of 1(poor) to 10(excellent), how would you rate the presentation?
      2. What was your overall impression?
      3. Any suggestions for improvement?
      4. From your perspective, did the presentation help interest studen ts in Computer Science?   
          (No) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (Definitely)       [Question added Spring '09]

Over the past few years, we at Northside Prep High School in Chicago have openly and excitedly invited Dr. Reed to present to our Computer Science students. The presentations have been engaging, exciting, and the students love them. Dr. Reed helps put a human touch to the notion of studying Computer Science at the college level. The students feel like they are experiencing a little taste of college. Our collaboration with Dr. Reed has grown over the years to include everything from curriculum discussion to our work towards overall policy changes in the Chicago Public Schools. I encourage teachers of all grades to invite Dr. Reed to visit their classes.
         - Jeff Solin      National Board Certified Teacher, Computer Science Department, Northside College Prep

10 (on a scale of 1 to 10) - Professor Reed brings a certain charisma to his presentation that keeps the students mesmerized. Many of my students didn't want to leave after the bell rang because they had so many questions for him. His presentation was both dynamic and packed full of useful information. It was nice to have a guest speaker that was able to relate to the students and get them excited about programming and technology.
      After sharing the Alice programs that his college students had done, our sophomore students left excited about the possibilities of programming within Alice. They are currently learning the basics of Alice so this was a wonderful experience for them. Also, the juniors that are learning Java really benefited from hearing a college professor talk about why things like comments are important. Professor Reed also shared emerging technologies such as the 3D rendering algorithms available in websites like Microsoft's Photosynth. His presentation left students with a sense of magical wonder in technology which is exactly what we need to instill in this future generation.
         - Stirling Crow      Von Steuben Metro Science Center

Presentation was a 10, very engaging. You were able to connect with students very effectively. They thought your presentation was 80% fun and the majority can now seriously think about the computer science field in concrete terms.
Suggestion: Show more of your students' work in presentations as that gives them concrete examples of the field of computer science (after seeing your students' Alice files my students were able to relate to them and were asking me if they will be able to create worlds like that). Also emphasize that all that amazing work needs hard work in learning programming.
        - Summia Akram      King College Prep

On a scale of 1(poor) to 10(excellent), [I would] rate the presentation as a 10+. The presentation gave the students a good overview of technology. It also showed how technology relates to many careers (medicine, engineering, etc.) without being too focused on recruiting for UIC. The activities were extremely engaging and all of my students enjoyed them.
        - Deborah Wilson, Lincoln Park High School, Mathematics and Computer Science Instructor

From what I experienced of your presentation, I believe it is a 10. Scope and sequence are very strong and you keep students engaged. ... Long after the enthusiasm generated by your visit, a number of students (months later) come in with questions they have from exploring college CS curriculums on line.
        - Sam Polki, Lane Tech High School, Computer Science Teacher

Thanks for such a geat presentation.  It's been a while we had students so involved in presentation from guest speakers we invited to our classrooms. Our students found your presentations very interesting, educational and informative. We are looking forward to inviting you again next school year.
        - Adeola Adegoroye,   Mather High School, Education to Careers Department Chair

On a scale of 1(poor) to 10(excellent), [I would] rate the presentation a 10. Overall impression is very positive, you have a way of making technology fun for the students.
        - Ann Winterhalder     Von Steuben Metro Science Center

Great presentation. I was impressed that you remembered the students from last year. They also liked your presentation. You kept them engaged, especially since it was so early in the morning. You actually made them think. It gave students another option to consider Computer Science as a major. I look forward to seeing you again next year ... You have a great sense of humor and your interaction with the students is GREAT!!.
        - Ms. Teriah Abrams, Mather High School, Education to Careers Dept.

Presentation was a 10 out of 10. It was great.  You showed some real intesting sites and held the students attention.  I'm sure more will consider a computer career. The real question though is how many.  Most of my students probably will not but they will all have a better impression of those that do choose it. Suggestion: at a neighborhood school students are often not real good at math.  Either change the math examples or make the math simpler.  I think it was the one with whole galaxy and mentioned trig!
        - Earl Strassberger, Senn High School, Computer Information and Computer Programming Teacher

Presentation was a 10 out of 10. I feel that you immediately grasped the students attention and then kept it for the entire time. We have never had a speaker for two periods before because it is hard to keep the students attention. Plus the fact that there were two different classes in the same room is proof that you did a great job! I can't wait until you come again next year. The students didn't feel that you were just selling your school, they could tell how much you love the career in Computer Science and teaching that you have chosen. I really enjoyed the presentation and so did my students.
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely):     7
        - Maureen Hagen, Curie Metro High School, Business Department

Presentation: 10 out of 10. Great presentation... the best presenter that I have had in any of my classes. The students felt the same way...they said they "wanted a presenter like Dale more often"...Very informative, gave some students interest in the major and the school. Kept everybody's attention and it flowed well... Wish we had more time.
Suggestions for improvement: Especially for a senior class, I would've liked you to present earlier in the year before they apply for schools...Maybe sometime in September or October.
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely):     7
        - Leon Kim, Curie Metro High School, Business Department

Presentation: 10 out of 10. Wish we had longer to learn much more in detail.
Suggestions for improvement: We only had about 35 minutes today, but you opened everyone's interest from beginning to end. The wide versatility of studying this was made apparent, and the statistical data on hiring vs. number of BS majors was a stark reality check that EVERYONE should benefit from getting comp sci courses!
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely): 6
        - Susan Labadi, Assistant Principal, Islamic Foundation School Villa Park

Presentation: 10 out of 10. I think the students really enjoyed what you had to say.  It was very entertaining and informative. Your knowledge of computer science is definitely one of your strong points.  I enjoyed watching your performance.  It was very interesting and I would definitely like for you to come back 2nd semester.
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely): 6
        - John Madden, Business Department, Lake Zurich High School

Presentation: 10 out of 10. Excellent examples of computer science applications for the students to see. Fun presentation--both for me and my students! Students enjoyed participating in the activities. Wished we would have had more time. ...I thought this was one of the best presentations I've seen for these kinds of kids.
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely):  7
        - Rose Hopkins, Computer Science, Naperville North High School

Presentation: 9 out of 10. Moves at a good pace, is dynamic, gets students' attention.  Helps the students develop an idea of the value of what they are learning in class.  Several parents came into parent-teacher conferences telling me that their students are now considering pursuing computer science in college.
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely):  6
Suggestions for improvement: I don't think it would be a bad thing to talk more about UIC.  I think it could be valuable for students to see how a typical college course sequence could progess (how it links to the course they are sitting in now), and how different pathways branch out. 
        - Doug Allee, Computer Science, Oak Park / River Forest High School

Presentation: 9 out of 10. I think the vast majority of students were really engaged, and I appreciated your ability and willingness to tailor the content to the grade level.   The seniors are thinking much more about career prospects than are the freshmen.  I think the mix of "magic", cool stuff, UIC CS info, and job prospect info is good.
From your perspective, did the presentation help interest students in Computer Science (1=No . . . 7=Definitely):  6
Suggestions for improvement: More iPod's to give away! The "which of these things has the least to do with CS" slide and discussion fell a little flat, I think.  These kids know there are chips in lots of things.  What they can't understand, from their youthful vantage point, is how rapidly things have changed.  Maybe a slide comparing chip speed over time, or smart phone adoption rates, or computing power on Apollo 11 vs. computing power on your phone or desktop, might be more interesting and could be the basis for a short discussion of the fact that things will continue to change at an ever-increasing rate.
        - David Hayes, Computer Science, King College Prep High School