THIS IS A REVIEW OF EDUCATION 104A: INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS

Professor Wood is just about the most accommodating, understanding, and kind professor I've ever had! Any comment, concern, or question brought up in class was always answered with the most gentle, helpful, and accommodating response. He genuinely seemed to care about us as students and individuals. He did a great job of getting students to participate and engage with the material, by talking to classmates, sharing ideas and personal experiences with the class, and deeply thinking about in-class written responses. Lectures incorporated videos, articles we'd read, and graphics, and it was super engaging. For a two-hour lecture, this class would always breeze by and I'd genuinely learn a lot and feel like I was becoming a better, more understanding person from what I was learning. His teaching and lecture structure was amazing!

The assessments for this class were more than fair. We were graded on a reflective essay based on a documentary we watched, in-class written responses (a few sentences responding to a question about class material), quizzes which were about 10 questions (M/C, short answer, and then a 1/2 page single spaces written response). The exam format was online, per students' request, and we had plenty of time to complete the completely reasonable and fair questions. We also have a term paper (5 pages) due for finals. It is a fair, holistic assessment system for this class. I like the diversity in graded material. Professor Wood really did take into consideration the comments and requests of students when it came to assessment methods and I felt very supported and cared for in this class. Students who take this class will feel respected.

During lectures, this class was a collaborative space. We would talk with students sitting next to us about material and question prompts, then share our thoughts and things we talked about with partners to the whole class. We really had some great discussions in which students shared opinions, personal stories of experience, and more! I learned a lot from my peers in this sense.

Would recommend this course to others with an interest in the subject and even to students who, like me, did not know much about students with disabilities and their educational experiences beforehand. I learned a lot and personally feel that anyone with an interest in education or who is thinking about a career in teaching or the education field should 100% take this class. It's a game-changer! I feel way more prepared to be a better teacher, friend, or member of society from what I have learned.

He's extremely understanding and kind, and prioritizes student learning above all else. If you get the chance to take a class with Jeff Wood, don't pass it up.