3.7

Jongnam Choi

Geography - Western Illinois University

3.7
Quality
2.2
Difficulty
83%
Would Retake
92
Reviews
3.7
Quality
2.2
Difficulty
4.0
Helpful
3.3
Clarity

83%

Would Retake

92

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

35

4

29

3

13

2

9

1

6

What Students Say

Choi is honestly my favorite professor at Western

GEOG120 - 5.0 rating

Used the book maybe twice

GEO120 - 4.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

33%

Textbook Required

82%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

86% confidence
Based on 12 grades
Most common grades:
A (4)
A+ (2)
A- (2)
Grade Distribution
A(6)B(1)C(2)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 14 reported grades
A: 4
A+: 2
A-: 2
B+: 1
Common Tags
Skip class? You won't pass. (5)
EXTRA CREDIT (4)
Caring (3)
Lecture heavy (3)
Accessible outside class (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (1)
Respected (1)
Amazing lectures (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.23 avg change
Jan
May
Nov
May
Jun
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

GEOG

5.0

(1)

GEOGRAPHY

5.0

(1)

METEOROLOGY

5.0

(1)

GEOG327300

5.0

(1)

GEOG110

5.0

(1)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GEOGGEOG

5.0

GOEG120

4.0

METEOROLOGY

3.0

GEOG110

3.0

GEOG425

2.8

Reviews (92)
3.0
3.0
GEO120
Mar 3, 2003

i don't understand what he said for a semester. His english is very poor.

4.0
1.0
GEOG120
Oct 29, 2003

Fun class. Choi is hilarious. He is hard to understand but he realizes it and gives great notes.

5.0
2.0
GEOG425
Mar 25, 2004

I took Dr. Choi's radar meterology course my last semester as an undergrad at WIU. At first it was somewhat hard to understand what he was saying, but after a while, it started to fit together. He is also very fun to hang with at the bar and drink beer.

3.0
2.0
GEOG120
Grade: A+
Mar 18, 2004

Dr. Choi is very funny, and it's a good thing he is because I'd probably fall asleep otherwise.

2.0
2.0
GEOG327
Apr 14, 2004

pretty easy on students and grades, but very hard to understand his english alot of the time.

2.0
5.0
GEOG120
Apr 14, 2004

No Comments

1.0
1.0
327
Apr 15, 2004

took his climatology class. hard to understand and i dont think he really knows what hes talking about. Not a good teacher good.

4.0
1.0
GEOG120
Apr 15, 2004

Dr. Choi, while hard to understand, makes meterology fun which is a very difficult thing to do. His english wasnt a problem once we was into the class and begun to grow accustomed to his accent. Overall excellent teacher and seemed like a gret guy.

3.0
3.0
WEATHER
Apr 20, 2004

Choi is a great guy. He really means well but his english is horrible. One you get use to it its bareable. Makes lame but funny jokes. Class is all notes but tests are taken straight from them. Give him a chance, you might really like him.

4.0
3.0
GEOG120
Apr 21, 2004

Great Guy, Funny as hell!

4.0
2.0
WEATHER
Apr 21, 2004

just talk to the guy and game on! fun class with good jokes and other important skills that will help you understand. Give him a chance

4.0
3.0
WEATHER
Apr 27, 2004

Choi is bad ass. Funny as hell and great to drink with on the weekends. Hard to understand at times but the notes he gives are excellent. Tests can be a little hard but it all comes from the notes. He is highly recommended.

4.0
2.0
GEO120
Apr 29, 2004

One funny SOB. This Korean cracks me up, "can I go. Oh of course" His power points are very good. You don't have to take notes, you can print everything. Take his class. call him Maximus he will get off on it.

4.0
4.0
GOEG120
Oct 3, 2004

a great teacher, funny as hell. a great pearson to talk to. makes class fun while you learn. can drink more beer than anyone ive met. a great class, give it a try.

5.0
2.0
GEOG
Nov 10, 2004

Was one of the best teachers I have ever had. Talk to him and make sure he knows who you are and you'll do fine.

5.0
2.0
GEOGRAPHY
Nov 15, 2004

What a cool guy! As long as you go to class and talk to him once in awhile, you will do fine. If he gets to know you, your grade will definitely reflect!

5.0
3.0
METEOROLOGY
Nov 16, 2004

If you fail every single test but go to class, you get a C at the very lowest. He says that the first day of class and it's true. Funniest guy I've ever met. Makes class fun to go to. A+++++ teacher. Asset to WIU. Get used to his english and you'll do just fine.

5.0
2.0
WEATHER
Nov 17, 2004

I just loved this guy. he made weather soooo intersesting. I sat near the front and got to know him and he gave me an A even before the final! we need more teachers like him at WIU. you even get extra credit points for coming to class! great man!

5.0
3.0
GEOG120
Feb 27, 2005

He is easy as long as you pay attention and come to class you are guarantee a passing grade nothing below a "C"

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
Feb 28, 2005

He is really cool - took his class two years ago and he still remembers me and i still remember what he taught me.

5.0
1.0
GEOG327300
May 17, 2005

A very very good teacher. He explains everything in simple terms, so he is very easy to understand, and he provides printable notes for his students so that they need only listen (and perhaps jot a few ideas down to the side) during class. Being in his classes has been entirely my pleasure.

4.0
1.0
GEOG120
Aug 31, 2005

Funny teacher. Makes class interesting even if you aren't into it. Easy A. I would suggest taking him if you have the choice.

4.0
1.0
GEOGRAPHY120
Sep 6, 2005

Really Nice guy, kinda hard to understand sometimes, because of the accent but still a really good instructor

4.0
1.0
GEOGRAPHY120
Sep 9, 2005

Really funny

4.0
2.0
GEOG120
Oct 18, 2005

Really nice and funny...

5.0
3.0
GEOGRAPHY120
Nov 17, 2005

Really fun and a grreat teacher. Helps you understand material really well and keeps you interested.

4.0
3.0
GEOG120
Nov 17, 2005

He's really funny. You print out your notes online and bring them to class and he goes over them. You will have online quizes for each chapter and you can retake them as many times as you want (print the answer and reuse them) and the tests are the same questions so just memorize them and youll be fine. makes u sing if your cell phone goes off!

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
Nov 18, 2005

Awesome guy. Great teacher. Class is fun and easy. Tests are easy if you study for about 10 minutes. Online quizzes which you can take unlimted amount of times. Never stayed for full 2 hours in the lab. Highly recommended

4.0
1.0
120
Nov 30, 2005

good teacher

5.0
2.0
GEOGRAPHY120
Dec 12, 2005

This teacher is AMAZING.... hes so wonderful.. take his class!!! :)

4.0
2.0
GEO120
Dec 14, 2005

Amazing teacher. Great guy. He's from South Korea and has an accent, but you'll get used to it. He accidentally started talking in his language in the middle of one of his lectures once. Hilarity ensued. He's very dedicated and loves his job. Take his class.

3.0
2.0
GEOG120
Mar 24, 2006

funny teacher, as well as a good teacher. classes were rather easy, just sit there and look a power point. Labs were even better, he would only keep us for 1/2 the time, and it was never anything more than reading through a packet and answering a few simple questions....great class.

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
Apr 11, 2006

Choi is the man. very easy class if you go. he makes class fun and interesting. hell talk about drinking and the bars and will show funny pictures and quotes during his powerpoint. TAKE HIM!

5.0
2.0
GEO120
Apr 13, 2006

TAKE THIS CLASS!!!! Amazing guy, always helps you out and is hilarious!! Tests aren't horrible, and he gives you extra points for attending. He even makes it interesting...just a great teacher!

5.0
1.0
GEOG120
Apr 20, 2006

definately take this class!!! he is the best teacher i've ever had. uses humor to keep you interested during the class. show up and you get tons of extra credit

5.0
1.0
GEOG120
Apr 27, 2006

One of the best teachers at WIU. A little hard to understand at first, but that becomes easy after the first week or so. His tests have exactly the same questions and answers as the online quizzes. Do the quizzes a few times before tests and you will average 90+. Be sure to go to class every day too ebcause he takes off points at the end for misses

3.0
3.0
GEOG120
May 4, 2006

First word that comes to mind is KOREAN and that means he his difficult to understand at times. Although he is funny. Class is pretty interesting and relatively easy. He gives a few days off a tons of extra credit for attending class. BEWARE-if your cell phone rings, he makes you sing!

4.0
2.0
GEO120
Nov 15, 2006

Choi is the easiest prof @ Western! He takes attendace almost everyday and gives out bonus points for coming to class. His accent is a little rough, but after the first week or so you get used to it. His curve is usually very generous and it's very hard to fail!

4.0
1.0
GEO105
Nov 20, 2006

Weather and CLimate, Awsome class, Very Fair teacher, Easy tests. online test u can take unlimted time. Lots of breaks during lab

5.0
1.0
GEOG120
Dec 11, 2006

go to class, earn extra credit. talk to him, and he will help you when you need it... probobly the best professor i have had yet.

3.0
2.0
GEOG327
Dec 13, 2006

He's a fun teacher ass long as you attend class, otherwise he will pick on you in a good way, not like a hard ass though.

1.0
3.0
GEO120
Dec 15, 2006

He sucks, dont be fooled, if you dont go every single day he will go insane. You cant understand anything he says. Instead of saying Oklahoma, he says Okama. That's ridiculous and makes me question my university. If your blonde and from burbs your ganna get an a. If your a guy your screwed, he wont help you at all. He shouldn't be teaching and that

3.0
3.0
GEOG120
Dec 16, 2006

He's a nice guy with a hard to understand accent. Go to class, do the online quizzes till you get a perfect score, talk to him and read the notes he tells you to print and you will do very well.

3.0
1.0
GEOG120
Feb 18, 2007

Makes class fun, even if you're not a weather geek. Tells lots of jokes on PP presentations. You don't really have to take notes, just print them off WebCT and follow along in class. Sometimes gives EC for just showing up. The only knock on him is his thick accent, which takes getting used to, that's why he gets a low clarity rating.

2.0
2.0
GEOG300
May 21, 2007

This class was a JOKE!! Not only did HE not even know half of the instruments he had on his PowerPoint presentations, but he had the most particular questions on the exams! NOT a good teacher, NOT a good class.

5.0
3.0
GEOG110
Jun 8, 2007

very good teacher and is very understanding!

4.0
2.0
WEATH120
Nov 15, 2007

extremely easy class, just print notes and do the online quizzes. you memorize the questions and the tests are very similar. show up to class even though you don't have to, it's crazy the extra points he'll give out towards your next exam. our last one we had 15 points. oh yeah, if your phone goes off in class, you have to stand up and sing a song.

4.0
3.0
GEO120
Nov 30, 2007

Sit in the front of his class and get to know him if you plan on coming. It's a really good idea. Very funny and uses stories to break up long discussion. Buying the book is useless and a waste of money but make sure to have the lab book.

5.0
1.0
GEOG105
Jan 12, 2008

very attractive man

2.0
4.0
GEOG425
Mar 17, 2008

Very poor instructor, you should consider someone else

2.0
4.0
GEOG425
Mar 17, 2008

He used to be a great instructor. Lately, he has been falling apart. He has been making life difficult for his students. Take someone else if possible.

4.0
2.0
GEO101
Mar 19, 2008

i had an intro to weather class with him. Very good teacher, gave lots of extra credit. Labs were a joke. Just take the online quizzes till you ace them all. Know those quizzes and you'll get an A

2.0
1.0
GEOG425
Apr 14, 2008

What a joke.Class is SUPPOSED to have a lab,but instead he lectures for 2hrs.Impossible to keep up w/PPT lectures,just rushes through them & often refuses to post them online.He also frequently skips around and the versions he does post don't match up.Multi-multiple choice test ?s are ridiculous.Once took 1/2hr saying how bad our presentations were

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
May 14, 2008

Excellent professor. I learned a lot. Walked into class late one day thinking I missed a bit of the lecture, no, he was showing the class tricks done between a beer and a shot glass. Choi, although an excellent, kind, and caring professor is still a college boy at heart. You will see what I mean! DO NOT BUY THE TEXT BOOK unless you like to waste $

1.0
5.0
GEOGGEOG
Jun 4, 2008

A terrible teacher - and dishonest.

3.0
2.0
GEOG120
Oct 23, 2008

He is by far my favorite teacher yet! He gives tons of extra credit just for showing up and he jokes around in the middle of class. Class is almost never the full length either. Hes a great teacher and I highly recommend him

2.0
1.0
GEOG105
Nov 9, 2008

First I don't actually remember the class # but the classes were meteorological instruments and climatology. Next can't understand a word he is saying. Third, we actually made him cry because he didn't know the instrument he was trying to teach us, then blamed it on us. If you are female it is an easy A and he hates guys. Stupid girls = good grades

5.0
1.0
GEOG300
Nov 18, 2008

He is a easy-going person but has a warm heart. The class is easy. If you don't get "A" or "B", you are stupid. Anyone who complains about this quy, please behave yourself.

1.0
5.0
GEOG120
Dec 3, 2008

The tests are very hard and incomprehensible.

2.0
5.0
GEOG120
Dec 20, 2008

Tests, although he said they are easy, are very hard. It is very easy to fall asleep in class unless he shows us a you-tube video. Recomendation-do not take this class unless you need it, or cannot think of a better lab science to take.

5.0
1.0
GEOG120
Jan 6, 2009

Took this class online. Quizzes were unlimited tries so you could keep taking them until you got an "A." The tests were basically from the quizzes, but harder questions. I did the requirements and got an A.

5.0
1.0
GEOG121
Jan 6, 2009

this an amazing guy between your hands. if you have a chance to take this cource with him, just take it with out thinking. it is easy A cource and very intersting.

5.0
1.0
GEOG120
Mar 5, 2009

Easy A. One of the best teachers here. There is no excuse to not get at least a B

4.0
2.0
GEOG300
Apr 6, 2009

Dr. Choi is very knowledgeable about the class material, and he makes the class fairly easy. He goes way off topic at times, but he has his ways of making most of the class laugh. The project is not too bad.

3.0
3.0
GEOG425
Apr 16, 2009

He has no clue when it comes to sat/radar met. Anyone with prior knowledge knows more. He has admitted he does not know that much. Study up on velocity and then quiz him and see how much he knows. Not much. Then he might storm out of the room, embarrassed. It happened.

4.0
1.0
GEOG120
Apr 14, 2010

Best teacher I have ever taken. Very helpful..if you go in a couple days before test he will give you what is on it. You dont have to go to class, but if you do he gives extra credit randomly. Very easy and you should not get under a B!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND

4.0
2.0
GEOG120
Apr 21, 2010

He is a little hard to understand, but not bad. Nice guy who is willing to help. Tests are decent, not easy though. just do the work and you should be good.

5.0
3.0
GEOG120
Dec 20, 2010

GO TO CLASS! He gives out a ton of extra credit for attendance and these points will help you in the end. Plus he is pretty funny so at least class is entertaining. He is very reasonable if you go in to talk to him.

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
Dec 23, 2010

He is a nice guy. Go get help, he will help you out. His exam is straight from the note. One of the best instructor in this school.

4.0
2.0
GEOG120
Jan 17, 2011

He is absolutely hilarious. When first joining the class I was worried about the language problem but he is pretty easy to understand. Attendence isn't mandatory but there are a lot of days that he gives extra credit for the people who showed up that is applied directly to your tests. All the notes are posted on WesternOnline.

4.0
1.0
GEO120
Sep 12, 2011

He is pretty funny and a nice guy. Class is very easy. He gives out tons of extra credit for showing up to class. He tells you exactly what you need to know for the tests. Half the time the labs get cancelled. Probably the easiest lab class out there.

4.0
1.0
GEOG120
Oct 18, 2011

He is so funny! He makes class fun but his accent is hard to understand. After a while you can understand him pretty well.

5.0
3.0
GEOG120
Nov 22, 2011

funny guy but very helpful, i learned a lot in this class. He gives bonus on tests and always print out your notes!!!!!

4.0
3.0
GEOG120
Grade: B+
Aug 18, 2013

He is a great teacher! Always keeps the class interesting with his humor! He truly cares that you get the material and you can tell he is very passionate about teaching. He gives extra credit. If you attend and put some effort you should do well.

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
Apr 17, 2014

Very good professor. PAY ATTENTION! He is sometimes hard understand but he is so nice. He tells you exactly what's on the test so if you study you will do fine. Highly recommend him.

5.0
1.0
GEOG120
May 20, 2014

LOVE THIS CLASS! There is a lot of info to learn but he makes it interesting and is a great professor. If you show up to class, you will get a good grade.

4.0
1.0
GEOG120
Grade: A
Apr 1, 2015

Easiest class I'm taking. He gives so much extra credit, I got a 90 on my test but with the E.C. I ended up with a 105%. Show up, and he hands you points. Don't show up, and you're missing out on exactly what'll be on the test. Only problem is that he isn't the most helpful when you have a question, just kinda repeats what he's said...

5.0
1.0
GEO120
May 2, 2015

Recommends, he is best and easy to talk, but he is sentenced to manner if you behave bad in class. you may get a little trouble. Act appropriate!

5.0
2.0
GEOG120
Grade: A+
Jul 31, 2015

Dr. Choi is honestly my favorite professor at Western. He is unbelievably kind and as long as you follow his rules of no phones and you pay attention, he will like you. Even though we never used the text, he still gave me a copy for free for the semester . He almost always cancels lab and sometimes cancels class. He makes things very interesting.

3.0
3.0
GEO120
Apr 20, 2016

His English is very very choppy, but he likes to make jokes and tells you what exactly is on the test. Dont buy the book. Skipped over alot of labs as well.

4.0
1.0
GEO120
Grade: A-
Dec 15, 2016
Would take again

Super easy class. Used the book maybe twice. Took class online, opens up all material. Super easy grader too. Gives a decent amount of EC. Each test can be taken 7 times. Different questions each time but there is no reason to not get an A. I actually did learn a lot from this class as well. Not the most helpful teacher but I can't complain.

GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
5.0
3.0
GEO120
Grade: A
Dec 26, 2017
Would take again

I don't understand why people here complained about his accent. English is not my first language, either. However, I understood what he was teaching. Knowledgable professor, and truly cares about his students, but you have to get to know his. Sentence to manner good in class, otherwise he might dislike you. Respect is all.

Respected
Skip class? You won't pass.
Amazing lectures
2.0
1.0
WEATH120
Grade: A
Jan 13, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Honestly, he's a pretty nice guy who obviously loves what he's teaching. However, for the love of everything DO NOT TAKE OUT YOUR PHONE. He will actually stop class to lecture you in front of everyone. Also, spends way too much time lecturing, labs are just extended lectures. Although as long as you show up you know exactly what's on the tests.

Skip class? You won't pass.
EXTRA CREDIT
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
2.0
METR120
Mar 26, 2021
Would take again

Hard to understand. Content is easy, I don't like him too much. When you have your laptop in your class he seems to think you are playing games, when you actually have your notes out. Always thinks he's right. When you ask him a question about the material, he will just restate what he said before which doesn't help. I would say he's okay.

1.0
5.0
WEATH120
Grade: C
Nov 21, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I am normally a straight-A student, work hard to get the grade, and attend every class on time. This professor is one of my least favorites at WIU. It is a level 100 course and it is like taking a level 400. He is difficult to understand, when you ask questions he does not answer clearly. Many topics to cover for each exam, difficult to remember

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Lecture heavy
4.0
2.0
WEATH120
Grade: A-
Dec 1, 2021
Would take again

He gives extra credit to those who come to class. Tells you exactly what you need to know for the exams.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
EXTRA CREDIT
3.0
3.0
WEATH120
Jan 18, 2022
Would take again

Choi likes to give long lectures a lot, but if you continue to show up to class he'll most likely pass you.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Beware of pop quizzes
Caring
5.0
2.0
METR120
Grade: C+
May 17, 2022
Would take again

This was a fun class to take. Professor Choi is so passionate on what he teaches. The class is very easy to pass. He does have a thick accent but it's still to a point where you can understand him. He's very funny and lets the class participate and engage in his lectures. I would take this class again.

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
METR120
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 11, 2022
Would take again

The class itself is difficult, so make sure you use every opportunity to ask for clarification and take good notes because his tests are unbelievably hard. On the other note though, he is very understanding and is always available if you need help. You just HAVE to show that you care and that you want to learn (don't go on your phone during class).

Tough grader
Caring
Accessible outside class
5.0
3.0
GEOG327
Grade: B
May 6, 2023
Would take again

Just do the work and you will pass. He wants his students to pass.

EXTRA CREDIT
Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
5.0
1.0
GEOG121
Grade: A
Jun 3, 2023
Would take again

easy summer class

1.0
3.0
GEOG121
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Jan 15, 2024
Would take again

Dropped because was not going to deal with this from the start/will retake. I went to him about issues concerning his material not loading and signing on to pearson and he didn't even answer with support or any advice, basically telling me to figure it out on my own even though he says in his initial email to come to him with any questions.

Get ready to read
Lots of homework
Online Savvy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

33%

Textbook Required

82%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

86% confidence
Based on 12 grades
Most common grades:
A (4)
A+ (2)
A- (2)
Grade Distribution
A(6)B(1)C(2)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 14 reported grades
A: 4
A+: 2
A-: 2
B+: 1
Common Tags
Skip class? You won't pass. (5)
EXTRA CREDIT (4)
Caring (3)
Lecture heavy (3)
Accessible outside class (2)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (1)
Respected (1)
Amazing lectures (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.23 avg change
Jan
May
Nov
May
Jun
Jan
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

GEOG

5.0

(1)

GEOGRAPHY

5.0

(1)

METEOROLOGY

5.0

(1)

GEOG327300

5.0

(1)

GEOG110

5.0

(1)
+17 more courses
Difficulty by Course

GEOGGEOG

5.0

GOEG120

4.0

METEOROLOGY

3.0

GEOG110

3.0

GEOG425

2.8

Similar Professors