Very knowledgeable. Found his stories to always wrap back around to the topic at hand. He's hard but fair when grading.

He was on a soapbox all semester long. Extremely liberal biased, made the entire class uncomfortable. I came to school to learn my craft, not listen to his rants about what's wrong with republicans. Everything I thought my dad made up about college professors while in high school I see in him. I wanted to like him, but he kept making it harder.

Going to Dan's class always brightens my day. I love all the irrelevant stories, and the liberal bias but maybe that's because I'm a crazy liberal too. I really like the stand up act, much more interesting than boring lecture all the time, and I really look forward to coming to class. Love ya, Dan.

very knowledgeable, extremely concerned with each student's learning. Has been in the business for a long time, so he knows what he's doing. Very sexy.

He's got an ego of sorts but a no-nonsense professor that will teach you tons without overloading you. Follow his instructions and you can get A's...

A bit offensive sometimes but he is very knowledgeable. Once you get pass his shocking personality, you can learn alot from him. He tells alot of stories but that is the way he makes you remember the rest. Honestly, I can't get his voice out of my head.

Great guy once you understand his personality.Makes it an effort to learn your name :) His notes are very straight forward and posts them on his course blog during the semester.His grading rubic is very straight forward, do it and you get an A.Only thing this guy hasn't done though is go to the moon, but he still has time left. Prof. Grade: A

Here's a pepper for you, Dan, 'cause you're HOT!

Dan is awesome. Take any class you can with him. He cares about his students and legitimately wants them to learn and succeed. Plus he's funny and a total hottie :)

Excellent professor that really knows his stuff. You will learn a great deal more from his classes than most others in the program.

Absolutely fantastic guy! He make class so enjoyable with all his stories that some how find a way to be relevant. Yes, he's a tough grader, but he truly cares about his student's education....as long as they're as dedicated. Love ya, Dan!!!!

Guy is hilarious but does it over the top a little too much lol. Straight up with you if something doesnt go his way. (gives finger) Testing ehh sucks badly. Lectures are annoying and pointless but the hands on flash part is awesome and teaches me quite alot. So thumbs sideways

Tough class. He helps us out and doesnt want to see us fail it. When it comes to posting things on the website, He is so lazy to do it on time. Other than that, watch out for his insults towards the class, Hes just messing with us. Funny guy though. Only professor ive had who could entertain the class for 3 hous in one day.

One of the few who can keep the class going for an entire 3 hours of lecturing a day one day a week. He's Funny.

This dude is really amazing! I'd take any class he teaches.

Dans the man when it comes to teaching us code for three hours. Keeps us interested in the topic the entire time. I hope he stays with the Digital Media Program. If not, I wish him the best of luck wherever he goes. Prof. Rating: A

Dan is a great teacher. He really made hours of code fun and interesting. His test are basically photo-copies of his slides so make sure and study those. Also he is a stickler for minor details so make sure you name your files correctly or else you will loose points. Great teacher, great class.

Over all Dan is a good teacher, when he doesn't let his ego get in the way. Seems sometimes he spends more time trying to look cool rather than focusing on his work. He does clear things up and makes the class fun though. He's a tough grader, follow his directions!! He's pretty clear on what he wants from you. Just cut the ego Dan!

I'd strongly suggest anyone take at least one class with Dan, just for the experience. I promise you'll never find another teacher like him. A VERY tough grader but is also crystal clear about what he expects from you, so to lose points is your own fault. You'll work hard but he makes classes very fun. Has an unabashed, crude sense of humor =P.

This guy is great. He is very clear on what he wants from you. If you do assigned readings, go to his lectures, labs and tests are a snap. If people had problems in this class, they didn't do those two things. The lectures are very entertaining and funny. He does give us some off-subject stories, but does so simply to keep you actively listening.

Probably one of, if not my favorite teacher DIG has. Great sense of humor, explains points down to a detail. Class is really challenging if you don't know flash, and prepare to dedicate some serious hours to his final project if you don't know flash. Tests are easy if you read the material and goes off on tangents about what he's done (everything).

Prob the best prof in DM. Makes classes interesting and fun. Tests are bogged down with Q's that you never need to know (Like the exact location of his website), but he throws away bad Qs. The assignment rubrics are crystal clear on what he wants so its easy to ace those if you put in the effort- my lowest grade on the assignments was a 95

He is crystal clear with asmts, if not he'll answer questions quickly. Learned alot from this class. Dan was intimidating at first, but he's knowledgeable and keeps the class interesting. I thought he was funny. Be prepared to work, this isnt an easy A. Read the texts, take real notes and don't procrastinate. Will take again.

A very funny and informative teacher. He showed how to work with interesting way that I completely understood it. Yet, he is a hard grader and his tests are hard if you did not read the lecture notes carefully. He is a good teacher to take, but be aware of his ego.

He is a professor that clearly enjoys what he does. Lectures are provided online the day before class, and the lab assignments are up just as quickly. Tests are right from the lecture and book, and he lists all the requirements for your lab assignment. If you study and follow directions, you will get an A. I would definitely take him again.

Very structured professor, he tells you what he expects from you on Day 1. Very easy class to pass if you meet all the requirements that he gives you for assignments. Take the written assignments seriously. DO NOT attempt to cheat, this man WILL catch you. Very good about responding to questions, very helpful in his office hours.

Dan is no cakewalk. Like the others have said, if you follow his directions, read what he tells you to read, and show up to lab then you'll do well in this class. Just as a warning he will come off as arrogant in the beginning, but he's extremely knowledgable - dude knows his stuff. Good lectures too, he's funny in class.

BEST PROFESSOR EVER

This is my third semester having him. His lectures are always interesting, informative, and relevant. He's clear on everything he wants on projects. If you ever have trouble, you can always visit during his office hours, and it's a HUGE help. If you study and do everything on the projects, you'll get an A; it just requires a little hard work.

He looks like Tony Stark. He acts like Tony Stark. He knows as much as Tony Stark does. This man is a fantastic teacher and one of the best experiences I've had so far. He is Ironman.

It's the "Flash class" and so much more. Novatnak teaches students how to think as both designers and programmers, and while intimidating to some, he's very approachable and willing to help. Just put the work in, read the damn book, and stop being scared of programming—it's only a tool. He's by far the best professor I've had at UCF.

This class is basically self taught. I never knew when things were due and he doesn't teach. He skims over things then expects you to teach yourself. Everyone complains about the coding in Flash. I love programming, but not being taught the code isn't good. He just gave us a website with examples and we were supposed to teach ourselves.

You'll either love him or find him extremely unwilling to the students. However, if you actually do the work he requires, you'll get a good grade. Advice: read the book. You basically teach yourself in class. I didn't know how important it was until the end of the semester. Also, dont be afraid to ask for his help. I made the mistake in ... not.

He seems intimidating, but his lectures were really helpful and his examples really helped you grasp the concept of the content he taught. He has a way of making lecture interesting. Read the book. The chapters aren't that long. If you work hard, you can accomplish so much in his class. He gives you the tools you need and he encourages creativity!

At first I felt extremely intimidated (I swear this guy is Tony Stark, we just don't know it yet). After a few classes and understanding how he teaches, you get the hang of things. Attend labs/lectures and read the book. DONT PROCRASTINATE ON CODING. You'll need all the time you can get if you're new to it. Do the work, and you'll get a good grade.

Pretty fun class. Interesting lectures though sometimes they hit a lull. Respectable man who can seem abrasive from afar. Honestly, do your work- pay attention to the materials (READ your book so you don't complain about not learning code) and the class is easy-peasy.

Dan is a great professor who knows what he's doing and will help you out if you ask for it. He has a bit of an ego, but understandably so considering all he's done in life. After taking plenty of classes with him over the years, I can confidently say he's the best professors UCF SVAD/DM has and you WILL learn if you put forth the effort.

Dan is the most interesting professor I've had yet. He is very theatrical and in front of students has a persona that intimidates a lot of kids, but it's mostly for show. In person, Dan is kind and he will attempt to help you if you can show you've mad an effort yourself. Each assignments specifications are clearly listed. Be ready to work!

Dan can be hard. Dan is interesting. You will learn stuff from Dan.

Dan has so much knowledge and experience stuffed into his huge head, and sometimes his ego gets the best of him. Overall, I absolutely loved having him as an instructor and would take him again in a heartbeat. He is always willing to help if you ask and will joke around with you to make you less uncomfortable talking with him.

I've had Dan for the past two semesters now, and he is without a doubt, the best professors UCF has in the Digital Media/Web Design program. For E-com, he gives pop quizzes but he is fairly lenient on grading as along you understand the material in his lectures. You will have to put a significant amount of effort to pass but it is well worth it.

The class is tough so attendance is essential to make sure you're getting all the material. As everyone says he does have an ego but you get used to it. He jokes around in his lectures. Overall he's a really cool guy and wants his students to succeed. You do need to put the work in, and if you do you will definitely learn a lot. Would take again.

This professor is the best in the Web Design track, hands down. He does give pop quizzes, but they're easy. He explains the material really well, so if you pay attention in class you should do well. If you are not the best programmer you might get a 'B' and not an 'A', but that's not bad. He is a harder grader than most in the track, so work!

Dan can definitely come off as a bit pompous and arrogant when you first meet him, but is legitimately a good guy. His classes are tough, but you really do learn in them. I'm in all his upper level web classes this semester, and I've learned more than I have in the past 3 years. Goes out of his way to help and grades extremely fairly. Awesome prof.

He goes over the projects in class & details the skeleton of the work just enough so you know where to start. After you do, always go to his office hours if you've added time to the assignment, and don't be afraid to ask classmates and friends for help if they're in the same class as you.

Novatnak is tough, but towards the end the semester the subject matter does get pretty tough. It is hard to get 100% on tests and projects and he will make you work for it. Overall, he has a great sense of humor and is pretty approachable, although some other people said they were afraid to ask questions in class.

Dan is authentic. He is professional, respectable and invested in his students well-being and success. He has a great sense of humor, his lectures are just as entertaining as educational. He will take suggestions on topics, and provides deep dives into concepts. Projects are clearly defined and grading is fair.

Mr. Novatnak is rather straight forward, provides all of the content for the class in a well written manner and tells you what to read from the book and what movies to watch for the class. This class is not particularly easy but he is not an overly tough grader and I would recommend him.

Dan is....a one of a kind teacher who you either love or hate. I've always enjoyed his classes, but if you don't like sarcasm, tread lightly. Online exams and 6 projects. Exams are easy to get A's in using powerpoints, and he grades fairly for assignments. If you can't do it, configure your database and submit valid code.

Professor Dan is one of the most straight forward and genuine instructors on the UCF campus. He has tons of industry experience and is willing to share his expertise/is an open book. I can only imagine the complaints come from students with under practiced coding abilities. I do not understand how you can fail Dan's classes when you actually try.

Pretty easy class overall. Clear structure and well organized. Very quick on email replies, which is unusual for most UCF professors.

Don't buy book or movies. I didn't watch or read a single thing and got a 96. I put 1hr a week into work. Google your test questions, you'll find them. I did ALL quizzes day 1. Just DO the discussions and other assignments and you'll get full credit even if they suck. Final is mostly questions from the midterm and weekly quizzes.

The class is essentially one long group project, with multiple checkpoints for grades. Groups are randomly assigned, and final is written. Establish a group leader early and don't procrastinate on the project. If you do the work, it'll be an easy A.

Mixed feelings. Sometimes he could be empathetic if you reached out to him early, gives good feedback, responds to emails within less than an hour & even lets you work in groups. However, he could come off as condescending and snarky. Takes points for the smallest error (file names, etc) even if code is functional and wont let you resubmit.

A bit aloof, but his assignments helped me understand and apply what we learned. Try to figure things out on your own and ask him specific questions. I used a lot of sources online to help me understand the material more. A VERY picky grader and will deduct points for minute things he specifically asks for. (i.e. capitalization)

Attendance isn't mandatory, but if you don't go you'll fall behind. The class was tough and he is very picky with grading. I still ended up with an A in this class and I felt like I learned a lot. I went to almost every class, didn't procrastinate and asked questions when needed to. His feedback is helpful but he can come off as a bit rude.

The best professor that I personally had so far. PROS: Fun & helpful lectures; Attendance isn't required, but you'll struggle if you won't come; Textbook is available online for free; Reach out to him early and he will be a great help. CONS: Strict and seems rude/narcissistic sometimes; Picky grader; Difficult if you have no experience in JS

Novatnak is great I recommend his class. The work is definitely tough and I struggled a lot, but if you need help, attend class mostly and go to office hours. He's really helpful and will sit with you to figure out your stuff, but you need to try. Start assignment 2 early. Exams are open note/book and online. Weekly labs/lectures. Would take again

Weekly quizzes based on lectures and lab assignments. Attendance is not graded but he takes attendance and will refuse to help if you don't attend class regularly. The only downside is he can sometimes come off as extremely arrogant and will boast about the people he knows for no apparent reason. Other than that, attend class and you will get an A.

Tough grader, but really cares. Showing up to class really matters, you get info you wouldn't know otherwise. Projects are simple and clear and are outlined in the assignment page but they are detailed so pay attention. Lectures are engaging and he is always willing to help.

He has a great personality. He is a tough grader but as long as you read the textbook you are fine.

You will have a bunch of peer reviews, but it also helps you see your classmates work and give feedback on all the assignments. You will have to read the textbook for the quizzes.