I read all of the written comments from student evaluations and take them very seriously, whether or not they say glowing things about my performance.  The conversion of lectures to Power Point was one example where I acted upon students' comments and concerns ("We'd like to see what you're talking about in lectures!").  Posting these positive comments is not meant as an ego boost for me (well, maybe a little!).  I have done it to illustrate what the overall student evaluation statistics hide.  How does one reconcile the unsolicited comments below (often in excess of twenty percent of the total written comments submitted) with "below average" numbers of me as an instructor?  Perhaps it's the above average level of difficulty my courses are assessed at by students.  In fact, lest you think that these are the impressions of "A" students alone, let me point out that the number of "A"s in my classes usually does not reach ten percent of the total.  As long as the student evaluation numbers are used as the sole measure of teaching performance in this department and at Longwood as a whole, I will continue to post a sampling of the positive comments I receive.

Identify topics or activities in the course that you found beneficial

GEOG 201 - Spring, 2000

• "I feel like I really learned a lot from Dr. Hardin and was very pleased by the amount that I actually learned.  He was an excellent instructor, probably one of the best I've had at Longwood.  I'd definitely take another course from him."
• "I thought that Dr. Hardin was a very enthusiastic instructor that knows his stuff and loves his stuff.  I would always make eye contact with him because he had my attention.  I learned something new every day whether about geog. or something else."

• "Pretty much everything"
• "The lectures were so informative, I learned a lot"  ["so" was actually double underlined]
• [One student drew a smiley face in place of words!]

• "Overall I found this class most interesting and I learned a great deal about our world..."
• "Your lectures are well done...I think you are one of the better professors at this institution."

• "You are very enthusiastic...keep it up"
• "He visually represented ideas so they were easy & fun to learn"
• "The way he taught the class made me want to come to class; it was very interesting topic-wise & information-wise."
• "I think everything was beneficial - he explained everything in detail very well and always added interesting stories or other facts about the topic to keep the lecture interesting"
• "Lectures were wonderful, subject matter I thought would be boring was extremely interesting because of your presentation of it.  Loved this class!!!"
• "The guy is a great teacher and he really wants you to learn.  For our first exam he put a practice test and an outline of what we should have in our notes on his web page.  This guy really just wants us to get good grades and he keeps you awake in class with his lectures."

• "Topics: the weather.  Now I know what I'm seeing and why when I watch the Weather Channel!  Everything was beneficial because I saw how everything in the world is related to geography and each other!  I learned more than I expected to and now have a thirst to learn more!  Thanks for challenging me to think!"

• "Dr. Hardin is a great instructor & very enthusiastic about his work.  He is great in tying his subject matter in with other releveant courses like history, poli sci & English.  Thanks!"

• "The PowerPoint presentations were/are wonderful.  I think every student at Longwood should be required to take this class.  I really learned alot."
• "This was a really great class & you are a wonderful teacher.  It was one of the few classes that were interesting & educational at the same time.  I learned so much. Thank you!"

• "I really liked learning about the atmosphere.  I can actually understand the weatherman now!"
• "Simply knowing the material presented in this introductory geography course is very beneficial, especially to a history major."
• "He used a lot of technology, especially PowerPoint.  They kept me focused on what was being discussed and added depth to his lectures."
• "The topics we studied were beneficial because they related to current issues.  Dr. Hardin is an excellent teacher and he is very enthusiastic about the subject."

• “He is a great speaker; knows his stuff.”
• “I enjoyed your outlook on America’s place in the world and believe more people at this school should accept your ideas as the truth.”

GEOG 352 - Fall, 2001

• "All.  I learned much about the political & physical state of the world I live in.  Plus, I learned how to create a webpage!  Thanks, Dr. Hardin"
• "Everything was beneficial for me.  I have learned a lot this semester and it's been my favorite class."

• "I found GEOG 352 the most rewarding experience of my college career.  Dr. Hardin is obviously a learned man; combined with his knowledge and practically sinister sense of humor, I have truthfully enjoyed his class more than any other....GIVE THIS GUY A RAISE!!"

• "This was the most interesting course I've taken at Longwood."

• "Loved Power Points & web page.  Thank You!  Great lectures.  I really enjoy coming to class."
• "It's been great learning about different parts of the world and what really goes on and why things are the way they are."
• "Rock on with your bad self!"

• "This class was amazing!  One of my favorites at Longwood.  Dr. Hardin is incredibly knowlegeable and makes the information interesting and exciting to learn about!"
• "Everything we talked about was beneficial.  We learned so much about other cultures and countries that I would not have had a chance to learn about otherwise.  Also the explanations about situations in the world today were really beneficial."
• "Learning about other countries & their cultures has helped me in some of my other classes and I'm sure will help me in the future."
• "PowerPoint - pictures enhanced class (much better than PowerPoints from other classes where teachers just read off them!!); lectures - very interesting."
• "The PowerPoint is wonderful!!  The combination of a very interesting lecture & beautiful full color pictures, charts & graphs meant that I have retained a lot of what was taught this semester."
• "You used interesting slides that really helped me remember the info.  The maps helped me understand where everything we talked about was & how it fit together."
• "PowerPoint images were wonderful.  It's about time a professor used it appropriately."

• "Your PowerPoint presentations are wonderful. . . I like the way you use the PowerPoint to supplement the lecture (instead of just having loads of words on slides & reading them to us). . . I liked the way you split the course up. . . It was very well organized."
• "I enjoy Dr. Hardin's courses because I learn something important every day."
• "Though challenging, it was a great learning experience."
• "Dr. Hardin is a brilliant man.  I learned a lot from lecture."
• "This course was challenging but also rewarding."

• “The PowerPoint presentations that are available online; the quizzes on B[lack]B[oard] are actually quite interesting and the notecards for tests [are] awesome.”
• “I liked the effectiveness of the technology.  The visual helped me understand the information better and I enjoyed having something to look at while the lecture was going on.”
• “It was great having the maps on overheads so I could tell what you were talking about, also the PowerPoints were great.  The PowerpPoints were really beneficial, so I could follow along during the lecture.”
• “The sections on religion were really interesting.  I was also taking a religion class this semester so your information was really helpful.”
• “All of the random stories & experiences that you share.”
• "I enjoy your stories/enthusiasm.  I feel like I am learning a lot from your lectures.”
• “I found all information interesting and exciting and really feel good about the subject.”
• “Use of technology was excellent.  The slides help w[ith] retention, but, more importantly, make the material more interesting.”

• "What can I say?  I absolutely loved this class!  It is like experiencing the Travel Channel.  The great thing about Dr. Hardin is that he has been to almost everywhere he talks about & his first hand knowledge made this class so much fun!!!"

GEOG 201 - Fall, 2000

• "In no way"
• "Everything was fine."
• [Another smiley face!]

• "More discussion, but would need a longer class, so nothing, it was a perfect class."
• "It can't; good class"

• "Fine like it is.  Excellent teacher"
• "It's perfect"
• "This is the best class I've taken this year; I don't see how it could get any better."

• "I don't think there is any need for improvement.  I loved this class."

• "It was a tough course but it was taught pretty well; not much room for improvement"
• "I loved it"

• "Great lecture.  I have learned more in this class than any other class."

• "It's great as it is"

"This course could not improve any more.  Dr. Hardin is an excellent professor who is so enthusiastic and dedicated to geography."

• "There is absolutely no way that this class needs improving."
• "You are awesome!"
• "I would just like to say Dr. Hardin is a wonderful, interesting professor.  I have taken two classes under him and I hope to take more.  He makes geography interesting because he is so enthusiastic.  I love this man!!"

• “No suggestions.  I thoroughly enjoy this class.”
• “I think its great the way it is.  You improved the view that I have of geography.  Thanks J”
• “Loved it!”
• “I think this course was great – no suggestions.”
• “Keep it just as it is; I think it’s great.”
• “Excellent course.  Different reading would make it better.  Also, the course should be broken up into two semesters.  My guess is most students would be happy to sign up for both.”

GEOG 352 - Fall, 2000
"I just wanted to take the time and say 'thank you' for being so enthusiastic about geography!!!!  I can honestly say that each time I walk out of your classroom, I have learned something useful!  You obviously love to teach, and I just wanted to say thank you, because I know not all educators get the recognition they deserve.  I took the Elements of Geography course with you in the Spring of 1999, and since then, I knew I wanted to take another from you before I graduated this coming May....  Coming form a home where both of my parents are teachers, I appreciate and understand the importance of educators.  Every now and then I come across a professor that makes an impact on me and that I really enjoy listening to the knowledge they have to share.  So, THANK YOU for being one of them!!!!  You are truly an inspiration!!!!"

GEOG 352 - Spring, 2001
"Thank you for being a true Professor.  I enjoyed and learned more in your World Regional Geography class than any other class I have taken @ Longwood.  You challenged me more than any other teacher there and I am a better student for it.  I truly enjoyed learning about the world from you....  I hope to have the opportunity to take another of your classes."

GEOG 201 - Fall, 2001
"I wanted to let you know that I really have enjoyed you class this semester.  I learned a lot and have a new improved attitude about Geography now. Most people don't seem to get your jokes but I thought they were very funny!"

"I wanted to let you know that your class is amazing.  I only had a few classes that I actually enjoyed this semester and yours was one of them.  Your class is hard yet extremely enjoyable.  I just wanted to let you know that I learned so much from you and your class, and wanted to say THANK YOU!!!!!"

GEOG 352 - Fall, 2001
"I am in your geography 352 class.  I love going to that class.  I have never attended a class that was so much fun and informative at the same time.  I like how you take your time to tell us about the country and some interesting facts.  This is the only class where I have actually learned something new here at Longwood.  The topic that I enjoyed the most would have to be when we talked about Islam.  It was good learning some facts about the religion especially at a time like this when there is [so] much going on in the U.S.  I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your class and if I could I would definitely take another class with you.  Having the maps online was very helpful and made it easy for me to be able to color them.  Thanks for making geography fun and interesting."

GEOG 201 - Spring, 2002
"I thank you for a wonderful year and I really enjoyed your class.  It opened my eyes to some of the things going on in this world that I was unaware of."

GEOG 352 - Spring, 2002
"I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated your class.  Sadly, for the first time in 3 years, I felt challenged to learn because I desired to learn.  I will tke a lot more away from your class than just basic knowledge of geography.  Thank you for the challenge and your drive that has inspired me!"

GEOG 352 - Fall, 2003
"I would like to tell you that I really enjoyed your class this semester. It was really amazing to listen to your lectures. I was really impressed about how much information you knew and how much experience you had dealing with geography."
 
 

• "I'd like to thank . . . Dr. David Hardin in the Geography department for preparing me for life after Longwood."
• "Thank you Dr. David Hardin (Geography) for your example of dynamic presentation of information.  I use it daily in my occupation."
• "Mr. Hardin (now Dr. Hardin)   Thanks for everything that you passed on to me.  The information you conveyed was great, but what was more important to me was the medium in which you presented it.  And remember, its 'puh-kahn, NOT pee-can' (inside humor).  Thank you for what you offer to those willing to listen and learn."

As of January 12, 2006, I have 41 ratings (which is four times the Longwood average) and an overall quality rating of 3.6, which nets me the coveted:

Alas, no chili pepper

• This guy knows his stuff, an[d] makes it interesting for his students as well. He incorporates technology and visual aids into his lesson plan and puts an emphasis on acquisition of the subject matter. (7/9/05)
• Loved the class!!! Dr. Hardin is the best!!! I learned so much and would definitely take another class from him!!! (3/27/05)
• One of the most interesting teachers I've had here at Longwood. Dr. Hardin is a great professor and the only thing you need to do in order to do well in his class is go to class. He's very interesting and you can tell he loves the material he's teaching. I recommend him. (3/23/05)
• AWESOME! He loves the topic and teaches it so well. I loved his class and wish I could re take it or fit another of his classes in my schedule! (1/14/05)
• It's sad when you're as business major in your senior year, and the only class you look forward to going to is Dr. Hardin's geography class, which is not a requirement for my graduation. I have found his class to be very interesting and fun. (12/13/04)
• Dr. Hardin is a very well rounded professor, he made the class humorous as well as helpful. The most helpful tool in this course was the fact that he related the lectures to every-day life instead of just babbling for an hour. (12/12/04)

I still can't decide how to take this comment:

GEOG 352 - Fall, 2000