Knight, Jolynn  

This was a tough one to decide on. Definitely mixed feelings...I have to say, her lectures defninitely were disorganized, appearence sloppy, and often the problems she worked on the board had mistakes...that is bad. Especially since i am from out of state and paying close to $800 for this circus. Technically the school requires at least four hours of office hours a week...do two hours on campus and two "online hours" via yahoo messenger really count? I mean commeon...how am i supposed to get help on a math question that way...This is where the mixed feelings come in. You see, I am horrible at math, so i made an effort to schedule appointments and office hours as much as possible. Outside of class she is totally different. She was nice, helpful, and understanding. I stopped by after the final to go over my test and turns out there were close to 10 points worth of grading mistakes in my test...Bottom line...Not half bad of a teacher if you make an effort and DOUBLE CHECK HER WORK!

I hate math, and this class was actually interesting. It's applying basic math concepts to the world around you, and for someone like me that is into liberal arts, and has a significant weakness in the math area, it's awesome. She is very relaxed, yet she gets her point across well. She's very straigh forward about what will be on the test. Homework load isn't bad, and she's very fair when it comes to grading. She is very easy to relate to, and is more than willing to help you. I highly recommend taking her, she's great!

Ms. Knight was actually a pretty cool teacher. I hate math. I only took this class because it was the easiest math class you can take to fulfill your requirement for GE as an English major. The book is great, I liked showing it to my engineering friends because it had more pictures in it than problems. Basically, anyone could teach this class, but Ms. Knight is cool because everyday she would come to class with a different color of hair. That's what kept me coming to class! The lectures can sometimes actually be interesting, but mostly they were boring cause they were so simple. If you don't like math too much, this is the class to take. You get to learn about fractals and barcodes and do brain teasers! Oh, and the tests are a breeze. There is a final paper, about math, but it shouldn't be hard. If you can ever convince her to take you on a field trip instead of teaching, do it. She caves easily.

She is a very nice person. She really enjoys math and teaching but I didn't think she was a very good teacher. She was by far the most unorganized teacher I have ever had. She wasn't very good at explaining the material either.

This teacher has no skills whatsoever to teach a college level class. Granted, she is a nice lady, as other people have said, but she cannot explain material and is not able to recognize student difficulties. The material that I learned in this class could have been better explained by my little sister. She is late all the time and does not put in the effort to grade anything in a timely manner. If there was an award for Most Disorganized Teacher at Cal Poly, she would win with flying colors.

She is pretty a cool lady. I don't know what everyone's problem is. They all complain about the course material and her not explaining. Look at the damn classes they're taking. If you need that shit spelled out for you maybe you shouldn't be in a university. She does have office hours and there are such things are studying in you own and even seeking oustide help. She even envited us to her house to go over material for the final. I suggest you take Ms. Knight when you can.

Come on guys, give me a break! If anyone here is looking for a -good- math teacher, let me set you straight: TAKE JOLYNN! Unless you are mentally incompetent (in which case, how did you even get into Cal Poly?), you will learn the required material and do just fine. Honestly, most the people taking this class hate math, so of course she's not going to be very enthusiastic about teaching a bunch of math-haters. She presents the material very clearly (very very clearly). If anyone has a question, she does her best to clarify it. She writes countless examples on the board, so I would strongly suggest copying everything down if you're not a math person. Furthermore, actually do the homework and read the stuff out of the book. I just kills me when someone in her class says "she doesn't present material well and I just don't get it" when they don't bother doing the homework and never ask any questions. Her tests are also very easy, if you have a brain. She basically tells you what's going to be on the tests, and yet, amazingly, people still do poorly. Maybe I'm just being too harsh on the anti-Jolynn crowd, but I suspect that they didn't put any or very little effort into doing well in the class. Oh yes, some of the things they said are true, such as the lateness of her returning papers, but hey, if you were a college instructor, would you want to grade papers all night long? There is also the possibility of her having a grader who is very very slow. It's happened before. All in all, Jolynn is one of the best math professors I've had here. She's very personable, and extremely understanding. If I've made it seem like her class is hard, IT'S NOT! It's one of the easiest classes at CP, bar none. I just find it interesting that people actually bash her for giving them slack and making the class atmosphere relaxing. Oh, and on a side note, if you've ever had the opportunity to take a class from Jim Mueller (it's pronounced Miller, duh), she's basically the female equivalent of him. Just shave his beard, dye his hair a new color, and wham! You've got Jolynn!

Oh my god, she rocks. For those of you who love math, you will have a blast. For those who hate math, she will make a lover out of you. How you ask? First, she sympathizes with math haters because she confesses she didn't like it when she was younger, but found it to be fun and shows you how math haters can at least tolerate it, if not love it. She makes it into a game with her puzzles which are fun and help you learn. Rule of thumb, a slong as you bust your butt, you will pass and probably get an a or b. If you are ever confused, don't worry she is more than happy to answer an infinite number of questions. She knows her stuff!! And once you've taken her, stop in and say hi. She'll make time to have a nice chat and even help you with another math class probably as best as she can. I assume she'd help you with your other classes becuasde she is that nice.

Jolynn is such a cool teacher and she's really kick back. She makes the class fun and interesting and I actually look forward to it. If you dont have to take all the hard math classes take 112 with Jolynn because its fun and not at all hard and if you dont understand she is always happy to help. There are only 5 exams including the final and there not that hard. They are pretty straight foward and no surprises. Take Jolynn because she soo nice and very helpful!!

Holy shit. Okay...at first I thought "I'm going to suck at this class because I suck at math"...hmmm what a concept. But it was totally the opposite. I learned stuff...but nothing that's going to help me with my major. why the hell did I need to take this. It was so easy. I never even had to go to class. But i would recommend going because she gives points for group activities/attendance. However if you really suck at math there's no way she can help you. I couldn't even find her office...supposedly it's across from the bathrooms upstairs in the math department??? I don't think so. But anyways maybe I'm just stupid. It's just that she can't explain things in a concise manner. And lectures were really boring. I'd have fallen asleep but she's a really odd person. She doesn't wear shoes, barefoot. I pulled off an A, but it's not because i'm smart or anything. I just came to class everyday and listened, and did homework. If you want to take this class take it. It's an easy A or B.

This class was rediculously easy, and I've never been one to enjoy math. Really all you have to do is show up and take a couple notes, and beyond that feel free to doodle or compose poetry or whatever. Also, be sure to drink an energy drink beforehand, because I was falling asleep every day. Interesting topics, but you definitely don't need the book unless you feel like doing some of the homework assignments, or look into checking a copy out from the library or from a friend. The subjects were simplified to the point where you'd want to beg for it to be harder (we actually studied Ven diagrams for 3 days). Jolynn is an awesome person, but if you're looking for a challenging class then this is not the one for you.

She at first seemed absent minded but after a week or so, I decided I was wrong. She presents the material clearly and can show a couple of ways to think about a topic. She wants us to do well and is really nice. I haven't had the final yet but both midterms were hard. I think the class average was 60 or something but she gave us a chance to earn up to 20 % on that grade. I didn't do so well but she did a good job of trying to help. Overall, I'd say not to get frustrated if you don't do well on the exam, she curves if needed.

JoLynn was a really cool teacher and I would definitely recommend her. She goes out of her way to help students and the class itself wasn't that bad. She gives you lots of time to do homework and gives a couple quizzes as well as 2 midterms and then the final. I found the midterms to be pretty easy and got Bs on both but the quizzes for some reason were harder for me, even though I did my homework. All around she was a good teacher and liked talking about her partying days as a grad student...she kept a math class that could have been boring pretty interesting, and she always let us out early. Definitely take her!

Jolynn is a really nice person. She makes you feel relaxed in her class and keeps the mood up. She is pretty decent at explaining math and prepares you well for the tests. Also, if you know your 80's trivia you can usually score a few points of extra credit on the exams. Take her if you can, I recommend her

Her lectures are completly unstructured and nearly impossible to follow. She seems like a nice enough person but if you're not a math wiz DO NOT take this class.

This proffesor is completly absent minded and sould not teach. If you want to learn anything do not take this class

This prof. was the WORST TEACHER I've had EVER. She shows up class late about 95% of the time, and sometimes not at all (without any notice.) Once she IS in class, she speaks about irrelevant topics, makes many errors in examples on the board, and stands at the chalkboard staring at a problem that she can't solve. When asked a question she often responds with an "I guess..." or a "Uhhh...whatever....well... (blankly stares out into the class)." Her teaching speed is random, so be ready for about two or three chapters to be stuffed into the last couple of days of class (ouch!) All in all, SWITCH OUT!!

Jolynn can explaine math topics in a way I can understand. She cares about us and wants her students to dfo well. I have met with her outside of class and she has added office hours since the quarter began. I had a shitty teacher in high school and Jolynn is deinetely better and one of the best math teachers I have had. If you have the chance, take her. She is good and nice and easy to talk to.

DONT TAKE HER!!!!!

Jolynn is a very nice person, but i dont think she should be teaching at college level. She would be great for high school math. She seems to care for her students, but just isn't very good at teaching them. She gets constantly distracted while teaching. I would not recommend her unless you have no other choice. If you have taken precalculus before and did ok in it, you shouldn't have too many problems academically in this class, it is just going to seem like a big waist of time.

Jolynn is a very nice lady, but unoganized. I had taken Precalculus before so I did pretty well in her class. She presented the material ok most of the time, but some times she would tell us stories that were way off of the point and not helpful. Sometimes also, she had a hard time explaining the material to students with questions. If you do well on the final, the lower of your two midterms is replaced with the final grade. Also, the lowest quiz is dropped. She is an understanding person and helps if you ask her. Overall the class was pretty easy, with studying required. Study and read the section in the book before doing the homework and you should be fine.

jo lynn turned out to be a better teacher than i though. theres going to be homework every day and sometimes too much but its all to help you out. she tries to answer all the questions the class has and really wants everyone to understand. since most of the material i knew from high school, this class was easy. make sure you do the homework and turn it in on time. oh yeah, jo lynn also gives practice test that are practically the actual test. not a bad class to take. i recomend it.

nice lady and all, but i learned pre cal in high school so it was a lot easier. but she's very helpful if you ask. oh an she also nderstands that we have lives outside of school. that was cool. if you just need a math class for GE, then you probably want to take jolynn. but if you need to move on to calc or something, i'd consider someone else.

Jolynn is a pretty chill Proffessor, which is few and far between at Cal Poly. While able to have a relaxed learning environment, she is able to convey the information clearly. She'll present the lecture, then if you have questions she'll answer them, if not, you get to leave early! I highy recommend Jolynn...she is younger and knows how it is.

She teaches the material clearly and will let the class out early (mostly because it seems like she doesn't want to be there). The homework load is a lot but not unbearable. She is a total flake though. It took two months to return our first homework assignment and three weeks to return our first midterm. We never got back our second midterm. We didn't get study guides or even the homework back to study from. And even though I did all the homework, went to every class, got an A- on the first midterm and was totally comfortable with all the material, I still failed. I don't know why and she is yet to respond to this. Okay so I'm a little bitter.

ok, so a lot of people are right about her not being organized-atleast as far as grades are concerned. She took forever to give hw back but her lectures were straight forward. She did a good job lecturing. Her lectures were clear and she really wanted us to learn the concepts, not just memorise the material. In office hours, she was killer-one on one. Her exams were not easy but if you really knew the material, you would be ok Over all, she is not easy and her tests are rough as hell but she cares and if you ask for help she will go out of her way to give it to you. If you are looking for an easy A, do not take her but if you want to work hard and actually learn something, she is a good choice.

Dr. Knight is totally cool. She's a bit hippy but will always be there for you. She totally hooks the class up with points on exams if the averages is low. Expect a decent grade with the boring lectures.

Jolynn had a way of explaining material that made sence and connected everything together. I would reccommend her.

she was better than my last teacher and explaned why instead of making us memorize everything

I cant believe Jolynn is still on this thing. I had her as a freshman (i\'m now a senior). I never got math but she explained it so I got it and she showed how not to memorize everything but to learn it from the unit circle. I thought she was full of crap at first but it really did all come from that damn circle. She had alot of energy and we could all tell how fun it was to her. She is energetic and loves her subject but she still understood that we didn\'t all feel the same way. She was way patient with people who didn;t get it. I still remember the \"song\" she taught about how to remember one of the equations. If she\'s still around take her. She isn\'t easy if u r lazy but she\'ll put in alot of effort to help u if u\'ll do the same.

Jolynn is a nice lady but is not the right teacher for Calc141. She teaches remedial math classes and this is her attempt at moving into higher math. She NEVER answers quesitons students have directly and she always presents math in the phylisophical thinking manner, and not the straight forward algebraic way. She is more about the idea's of calculus, not how to do the problems. VERY confusing to me as an ME. She is quite sexist in favor of females, so if your a guy you get second seat. She always calls on the girls first and when using examples in class women are always the "boss" of the job, or the character int eh word problem. It might be subconciuous to her but us guys will notice. She does not know the material well enough to teach it. Thank god i took calc in highschool, we are 3 weeks behind right now and still on the limit! If i was learning it for the first time this wowuld be the WRONG teacher. She comes to class in torn stained jeans, a dirty black sweatshirt, and she has an eyebrow ring and dyed hair. Truth! Not professional at all and I would NOT recommend her beecause your class will NOT get through all of the material for calc 142! Stay away! Ask your friends you'll thank me. pz!

Do not, under any circumstances take Ms. Knight. she does not know the information well enough to teach the course. On a regular basis she is not at her office for office hours. She is unable to cover all of the material necessary to move on to the next level of calculus. Do Not Take Her. She is a pathetic professor.

Whatever you do do not take her for calculus!!! She seems like a nice enough person but she can not explain calculus.She goes off on tangents regularly and because of this we are 3 weeks behind other calc. classes. Her lectures consist of the definition and then examples. She gives you the easiest examples but puts hard ones on the test. She gives you points for HW as long as you complete it. She rarely ever answers a question that was asked and does not understand what students are asking her. I have taken calculus before and I would not recommend her to anyone whether you have taken calculus or not. This is her first semester teaching calc. so she has a lot of room to improve but I doubt she will. Hw is given every class period and is due one week from the day it was assigned. Every assignment is worth 10 points which is given to you as long as you do the assignment. She says she gives quizzes weekly but we only have had two by the eighth week. Tests are different each time and she prepares them 5 minutes before class starts. Our tests were still warm from the copier and they were hand written. She is unorganized and if u are going on to calc 142 definitely stay away from this class.

I am sure she is a nice person but she goes off on tangents and rarely answers the question being asked. Many times she will not answer the question and say to go to her office hours. I have gone to 4 office hours and she only has showed up for one, she even missed an appointment i made with her. She goes off on tangents and then never has time to answer your questions. I am sure she does a great job at teaching remedial math courses but not calculus. She does not teach you and when most of the class fails the test which happened in my class she does not see that there is a problem with either the way she teaches or the test she prepared. This class was a joke. I have taken calc before and I would not reccommend this class to anyone.

Theres all these evaluations for math 141 and they all whine about how ms knight wears torn jeans and that she doesnt know what shes doing. These evaluations probably come from people in my class because i am in the most annoying whiney class ever. Everyone loves to correct the teacher for no reason and act like because they took calculus in high school they are now experts. Ms knight is clear enough during lecutres and is super nice, and her tests are stinking easy. lots of picture drawing and stuff, but if you get the concepts it is way easy. I would recommend her.

man she is ridiculous.. i cannot believe that calpoly let her teach her.. she is a smart lady, but lemme tell ya, my first impression is that she is as organized as a brick.. she has nothing typed out, she writes everything, gives homework carelessly, regardless of if we went over it or not.. and the homework she gives, she just randomly assigns, 5 min before we leave the class. sure its great not to have homework, but especially in math class, how are you supposed to learn anything without practice.. luckily for me, ive taken calc before so i know whats going on.. however students who havent taken calc yet are probably soo lost.. the finals are sooo stupid, she gives like 10 questions each worth a bunch of points.. she really cannot teach.. i sleep for the first hour every class cause she doesnt say anything important, and even if it is important, she doesnt present it in a manner that i can understand. .. she focuses on the stupidest parts of calc, managed to get us behind, (probably because she took off so many classes for lame reasons) and we had to do a whole whole chapter in a two hour time slot. she takes forever to give us back our tests, cause shes soo lazy... not a good teacher..

I am going to go easy on her, being as she never taught Calculus before, but this class was awful. Since I had Calculus in High School I had nothing to worry about, but I do feel sorry for the others who will be completely screwed come next quarter. Knight didn

jolynn explains things well. if you don't understand one way, she will figure a different method to help you learn. of course all the poly dollies and pseudo bohemian frat losers would be complaining about her attire since this is such a superficial school. jolynn wears what she wants and doesn't give a damn. she wants to help students, and i know from talking to her that 99% of the time not one student comes to her office hours. even her online IM office hours, which is disrespecting and a total waste of her time. she is not disorganized, and she has a rule that if she makes a mistake on the board and a student catches it, they get extra credit points, so i dont know what people are complaining about. best teacher i have ever had!!

This teacher is nice, but does not have the training to teach this class. This class is to help the future teachers prepare them to present math to their students. Unfortunately, this class nor this teacher really do that. We had reading questions due every day that weren't difficult. We had two midterms that were excessive in problems for the amount of time we had to take the test. The final was not that difficult other than she tested on some stuff she taught us in class, but was not in the book. She's an okay teacher because she's nice, but it got hard to go to class when you know that your not really learning anything. Although, she is a good alternative from Fisher, who is the WRONG teacher to take!

Jo Lynn was an awesome teacher!! She is so cute and sweet and explains everything incredibly detailed and clearly. I felt like I really and truly learned every concept that we were supposed to. She also makes herself very available in office hours and even came in on the weekends for study session!

Finally!!! Agreat teacher in the elementary math series!!! She should be head of the department! If you want to learn and even if you are a math dummie this is the taecher to take! She also makes you feel good about your self unlike some other math sries teachers.The best teacher I ever had!!!

What the guy/gal below said. Amen. I too took this class and have long since graduated from Poly, but I was cruising Poly Ratings for a kick and thought that I should pipe in and let you know how much of a joke this prof is.