Selected Student Comments:
"The instructor was very educated and knowledgeable. He engaged the class a lot which made it more interesting. He also encouraged students to still answer and to not be worried if they got the answer wrong."
"Enjoyed listening to the lectures, and I normally hate lectures. He grades based off of understanding vs basic memorization. He also had the class go up to the board and demonstrate their knowledge or learn. It was nerve wracking but helpful in the end. "
"Probably one of the most engaging professors I've had so far."
"Dr. Smith is an amazing economics professor. (HE IS VERY SMART AND KNOWLEDGEABLE!) He is always willing to meet before and after class to talk about things and help you understand the material better. He really cares about his students and the way they learn the material. He made students think about things that they would have never thought of. He would always play videos to help his students better understand the content. He did this so his students could see it visually. He also now and then tries to make his students laugh so they stay enticed into the topic and not sleepy and bored while he is lecturing."
"I think Smith is very Knowledgeable in his field. The course is very rigorous."
"Able to teach a course on economics and make it so much more interesting than I thought it would be at first. While I wanted to learn about the principles to begin with, Professor Smith helped us learn why they were important and how to evaluate claims in a way that will be useful for years to come. Professor Smith allowed everyone to learn at their own rate, and was able to help students learn concepts they didn't understand at first in excellent ways. Knowledge about the subject was very helpful in the progression of the course, and it showed in the ways the class was able to digress from the topic at hand and explore different aspects of how economics work."
"Best professor I have had so far. Homework was minimal, lessons were involving, and I never felt pressured to do anything I didn't feel comfortable doing."
Selected Student Comments:
"I really enjoyed Dr. Smith's class, it has helped fill so many grey areas in my economic knowledge. The part of his teaching that I appreciate the most has to be his bipartisan approach to his lectures and his efforts to not show any kind of favoritism to any party or group. Overall, this course has spiked my interest in the study of economics immensely."
"The instructor was very down to earth and very knowledgable of the subject. The way in which our assignments were issued allowed for me to learn a fair amount on my own and not have to purely rely on class."
"Professor was well educated and passionate about the course work"
"He made the class interesting and encouraged student involvement and worked towards it despite the current state of the pandemic.
Dr. Smith was always very effective in communicating the material we were learning and was always happy to ask any questions we had.
He was very understanding when you had to miss class, weather that be COVID related or not. Great professor."
"It was clear that this professor is passionate about what he teaches"
Selected Student Comments:
"Knowledge of the subject, clear notes that explained the material we needed to know, fun and safe learning environment,his energy made me want to learn more"
Selected Student Comments:
"He made the coarse interesting and engaging. He made economics applicable to real examples."
"Dr Smith know economics, and does well to explain each concept and ensure everyone’s understanding."
"Dr. Smith is a great instructor. He was clear on the concepts he was teaching and explained it in great detail if we didn't understand it"
ECON 3420: Public Finance (2019 Fall Semester, MTSU)
Selected Student Comments:
"The whole class experience was good. The professor was always there to help and encouraged healthy discussions in class. I mostly enjoyed the assignments he assigned to us after each chapter."
Selected Student Comments:
"The critical thinking required for discussions engaged most of the class; the instructor was constantly looking for critiques of certain topics and could effectively start these discussions"
"His PowerPoints were helpful and the videos he showed in class were always fun and interesting. He seemed to know the subject well and enjoy ed talking about it."
"Well-learned on the subject and willing to communicate."
"Dr. Smith is a great professor. Is consistent and fair with his expectations and grading, and does whatever he can to help student succeed. 10/10 recommend."
"Dr. Smith is very knowledgeable and I really enjoyed his class. He really goes into detail about with all of the topics. He is really easy to reach out side of class and will reply to your emails. Also, I like the way he utilizes the videos in his lectures."
"It is obvious that he really enjoys teaching and has experience in the field making him extremely knowledgeable."
"Very organized instructor. He is always prepared and find many tools like video, many YouTube links to make his lesson understandable in class. I overall rate him as an organized instructor."
"Very clear explanations and applies the knowledge to the real world"
Selected Student Comments:
“Great class!”
“Macroeconomics is not a class I would take if I had another choice; however, this professor actually made the class interesting, and the way the information was presented helped me to learn. I especially liked the use of Launchpad because it allowed me to practice at home and ensure that I understood what we were going over in class on my own time. Although macroeconomics may not be my favorite thing, I really enjoyed this class!”
“The way this class runs is slightly different from other classes that I've attended at Troy University. Smith manages to present information related to the course in a plethora of ways that could possibly relate to college students. This manages to lighten the mood of the class making it a little more humorous and easier to pay attention to.”
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 5.36/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Among an Economics department full of excellent professors, Dr Smith might be the best. He has an obvious mastery in the subject matter and is equally as interested in developing the student's capacity as a scholar as he is in his own."
"Dr. Smith's Econ and Moral Foundations class was one of the most enjoyable and interesting classes I have taken thus far. He is an excellent professor who makes relates Econ to many different topics and promotes thinking about things in new ways that you wouldn't have before. Having a discussion-based class is fun. The academic paper presented a challenged but will prepare me for my future as an Economist doing research."
"Dr. Smith is one of my favorite professors. He is devoted to student learning and is always helpful. More importantly, he is real and honest. His influence on my life has helped me get through this semester even though I struggled to retain my sanity with my heavy workload. He is absolutely wonderful and made an impact on my life."
"Great Class!"
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.71/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith was an outstanding teacher whose interest is strongly rooted in his students' success. I thoroughly enjoyed the
class discussions as well as the assigned reading material for the class. Dr. Smith represents, to me, how the role of an
effective teacher should be carried out. He challenges his students, yet is always available for assistance. When class is in
session, it is obvious that Dr. Smith is following a career he has a passion in."
"Dr. Smith is one of the top professors, the way he designed the course was very effective."
"Dr. Smith is, hands-down, one of my favorite teacehrs. I always look forward to his class as they promote a high degree of student involvement and discussion. Particualarly in regards to this class, the discussion was crucial... Furthermore, I love how he constantly provided us with additional resources for areas of study in which we might be interested."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.42/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith is an excellent professor who really cares about this student's success in and outside the classroom. The class was full of discussion and it provided a very energetic environment especially for an 8am class. It was a fun econ elective where as got to apply the economic principles to everyday scenarios in sports. I will never look at sports the same again, that is for sure."
"Fantastic professor"
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 5.72/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith is a GREAT professor and passionate abount Economics! I would definitely take this class again"
"Dr. Smith is an EXELLENT proffesor here at Troy! His course was indeed difficult but I learned a lot I would otherwise not
have learned on my own. It is clear that he has passion for his subject and he shows that passion in his lectures in a way
many proffesors do not. As said, his course is very difficult since we have only two tests and if we blow those, we blow the
class. But overall, his course is one I would take again."
"I absolutely loved taking his class. He would use examples that college students could releate too. He also used media in his
presentations. He would thourougly go over each topic in detail. He is probably one of the best if not THE best professor I
have had at Troy University. I am taking Microeconomics next semester and I am upset that he is not teaching it."
"Just one semester in Dr. Smith's class has made me want to pursue a career in economics. Even as a junior, I want to change
my major. Wish I had taken an economics class sooner!"
"awesome professor, awesome class. 10/10 would reccomend. very econ. such logic. many wow."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.02/7
Selected Student Comments:
"I changed my views on several things because of this class and feel I understand a little more about the world of economics. I really enjoyed the class."
"Mr. Smith is a great instructor, and did a great job of connecting microeconomics to everyday life. His method of engaging
the class in lecture really help myself, as well as my classmates, understand."
"I feel that you really made the course easy to understand, and also made it interesting."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.28/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith is a good teacher. He is always available and willing to help his students."
"Dr. Smith is a wonderful professor; I'd even say that he is the best I've had yet. The slides were helpful, and the required
online homework gave me the basic information that he would exand on in class. The questions helped to give examples of
the subject. His examples were hilarious and kept me interested. The test I've taken so far was tough, but I now understand
what he is looking for in his questions and will be prepared for the final."
"I love Dr. Smtih he's the best!"
"Probably the best teacher I've ever had. Very good, rational thought process that logically proved all the learned material. I
would reccomend Dr. Smith to anyone. Great class material as well. Easy to follow and learn if effort is given."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 5.89/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Great teacher who brings energy to the classroom. You can tell he is really passionate about the subject he teaches"
"Smith is a very good teacher! You can tell he is truly excited to be here and eager to teach his students about what he loves so much. His excitement is contagious, he's one of those teachers that makes you consider majoring in his feild because he seems so happy. He is funny, but not distractly so. He is friendly with students, will talk to you outside of class. Overall a really nice guy."
"Professor is a great guy! I thouroughly enjoyed participating in this class. I not only learned the subject matter, increased my knowledge of economics, but also enjoyed the course. I would highly recommend Dr. Smith to anyone."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.57/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith is one of the best college professors I've had so far. I went into this course thinking that the material would not only be difficult but dull, based on another past class experience with economics, and I came out of it loving economics and with a strong interest in learning more. He was one of the most helpful, dedicated, and entusiastic [sic] teachers I've had when it comes teaching the subject material in a way that it'll not only make sense, but also how it applies to the "real-world" and your everyday life! Wonderful!"
"Great professor when it comes to teaching and very relatable [sic] as a person. I thouroughly enjoyed having Dr. Smith as my professor for this course."
"I like my professor so much. In his class I have learnt a lot. Such a good experience. Sometimes even in my dream, I was listening his lectures."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.38/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith is by far the best professor I've known in my college life. He is fun, smart and very helpful. He may has some strict rules but the reason is that he cares about us and want the best things for us!"
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.64/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith and his Moral Foundations class embodies the future of higher learning and modern intellectual development."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.34/7
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.09/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith was an excellent teacher! I will be taking him again for the next course. He did an amazing job relating the subject to everyday life and matter that was currently a global issue."
"Professor Smith is an exceptional teacher. He has vast knowledge& [sic] he's able to convey this knowledge to the students in a very unique way using different styles than the traditional ones. It was a very interesting course, and because of this course I decided to pursue a degree in Economics. He's one of the best teachers I've ever had in my whole life, and they were very good ones. I wish to enroll in other courses that he teaches in future. I believe Troy has the cream of the crop. Thank you"
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 5.82/7
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.91/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Daniel Smith is the best teacher I have had at Troy. He is a genius at economics and is so passionate about his subject that he makes the students interested and want to learn more. He was very helpful when we had questions and wanted us to love economics. GREAT CLASS!"
"Dr. Smith is a great teacher with a love and enthusiasm toward his teaching. He used great everyday examples in class that helped to tie our lesson into real world situations. His class will help me to become a more successful person in this monetary world. Great teacher and great class."
Great teacher! I encourage everyone to take his classes!"
"He is an excellent professor! My favorite in Troy University. I purposely did not take Micro economics last Fall so I could have him again this semester. He makes Economics interesting. I enjoy being in his class."
"If you miss Professor Smith's class you're missing more than just a dry lecture. Current events, opposing opinions, real-world applications and extracurricular activities are all fair game for any given class day. Professor Smith is extremely passionate, exciting and occasionally humorous."
"Very enthusiastic and helpful teacher. Made learning boring things more interesting with real world examples. Excellent teacher."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.53/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Dr. Smith is such an amazing econ professor. He makes economics so easy to understand, even though I only am taking this class as an elective. I would definitely take more classes with him."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.90/7
Selected Student Comments:
"After a rather rocky start, Dr. Smith stepped in and made this class one of my favorite (albeit challenging) ones yet. He clearly has an enthusiasm for the material and for educating. The extra readings and educational videos challenged us to think independently and reason out what we were studying well beyond a mere rote exercise. I only wish there were more Econ classes available online. Thank you, Dr. Smith, for an excellent term."
"Professor Smith is awesome! I am glad he took over this class. I don͛t know what I enjoyed more the class or the interviews on EconVersations. I can see that he has a true love for the material. I am glad he got rid of the research paper. Instead, he added more to the weekly discussion board postings, many of which were YouTube videos that really got us talking. I would love to assist in any research you currently have in the works. Please let me know."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.91/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Best course I had in Troy! His way of teaching is great and you can retain lot of information! A+"
"He is the best professor in Troy university. I hope to take his class again."
"The best teacher i have eved had and the best in Troy! I loved economics science because of this teacher!!!"
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.67/7
Selected Student Comments:
"A really cool guy and a great teacher. Good class, good teacher."
"Great teacher. He pushes you and wants you to succeed."
"I love the way he teach. He takes the material and break it down with something we can relate to."
"Overall, an amazing teacher. His research was extremely well incorporated into the class and it made for a really interesting class. Compared to my teacher for microeconomics, this guy blows the other out of the park. Shows what competition and proper employee incentives do for quality."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.24/7
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.73/7
Selected Student Comments:
"Great teacher that sparked an interest in the subject for me. He has a great way of explaining the material in a way students can comprehend."
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.71/7
Instructor Evaluation Mean: 6.86/7
Overall Rating of the teaching: 4.62/5
Overall Rating of the teaching: Mean 4.83/5
Overall Rating of the teaching: Mean 4.59/5