I had KB several years ago now. He's a nice guy. He generally cares about students. He doesn't put up with people who try to use him. Speech classes are generally lame to begin with, so given what he had to work with he did a good job. I'd say he's an above average prof.

Kevin is a cool guy. He's really tough, unlike the other speech teachers. You do learn A LOT from him though. Practice your speeches like a mofo and you'll do just fine. :-)

He is really tough and doesn't put up with people being lazy. On the other hand, he probably cares more about students than any other teacher I have had here. If you cheat he will probably catch you. He assumes you read the book, if you don't his lectures seem unclear at times.He plays devil's advo

Good teacher, had him for speech my first semester. Unlike other teachers he expects students to come to class and hand in work on time with effort put into it, students that don't like him often miss class and are lazy. Hard exams, but speech's are fun and easy in his class. You learn a lot about communications to.

i have mixed feelings about backstrom. he's really picky, but he wants you to do the best you can possibly do. he expects a lot. some class days were very entertaining though. he says the word "that" out of context all the time...it's funny.

He tends to focus on things he KNOWS rather than things his students need to know. He's an easy grader, just study and make sure you read your book and take the online quizzes!

SWEET!

Kevin is the best, take speech with him. He will scare away the slackers!

a fairly good teacher. gave you the material to help you succeed.

Backstrom is an interesting teacher. He is a very tough grader first of all. If your looking for a breeze class this is not it. If you are a bad to moderate speaker you will struggle in this class. He expects close to perfection on his speeches. but his class is easy day to day and not a bad guy, a little old but okay person, very opinionated.

Backstrom also has a hard time teaching things in class. He talks about nothing in class most of the time. Will simply ramble about what he's done in his life. His tests will catch wou off guard since he covers NOTHING that the tests are on in class. You have to read which sucks. So again an interesting teacher but by no means a very good teacher.

I hate public speaking but i love this class. I've learned alot about how to cope with my speech anxiety. Good teacher, Funny, you've got to be an idiot not to understand what he's talking about. Rarely use text book, short speeches, Highly recommend him

I had a great time in his class. He does tell a lot of stories but they always seem to tie back into the subject. He makes it easier to give speeches in front of people and they are all on easy subjects. Overall great teacher.

Good Professor but he actually expects you to do some work. You will need to read the text to do good on his exams. In our class he dropped lowest quiz score. Stories sometimes irrelevant but discussions are fun.

I love this guy!! Get to know him and he will respect you. Tells some good stories to pass the time. Great guy!!

If you get to know Professor Backstrom he will be more eager to help you. I think he was a fun professor to take and even gave our class a pizza party at the end of the semester!

This class is E-A-S-Y! There are two quizzes and three speeches that are relatively simple. You have to read the text and show up to class otherwise he gets pissed! Kind of a weird man, personality wise but I'm doing well in the class.

I am one of the few that like Backstrom. He does exactly what he says he will. He is a bit of a tough grader, but we only had three speeches all semester. You have to read the book to pass the quizzes Sit in front and talk to him before class and you'll like him a lot more. Doesn't like to lecture and will get off task which is actually fun

This guy is the hardest teacher I've ever had.I'll be fair, he does exactly what he says he's going to do and tells you what chapters you need to know on exams.However he is the hardest grader I've ever met and he definitely plays favorites to the people who sit in front.Stories are entertaining, attendance is a grade.

Backstrom is not an easy man to write an outline for. He is a very tough grader and he uses the text almost to the letter on quizzes and tests. He goes on tangents that help you understand better but he mumbles a lot. This is a class where you have to do a lot of work, no easy time here. Overall, he is helpful if you can stay off his bad side.

I took class during interim and thought the professor was great and cared about his students. Was very nervous about speeches going into the class but he made it easier than I had expected. He got the class involved and made it very interesting. Overall I really liked this professor.

Overall great professor that really knows what he is talking about and has had much expieriance in the media industry. No matter what class you have with him you can expect stuff out of the book to be on the exam.

He isn't as hard of a professor as some have said. When I heard stories about him and actually had him in class, I thought they had been talking about a different guy. Very easy class. All you have to do is follow what he says to do! He only wants you to succeed. READ the book and you will be fine!

I thought he was really interesting and funny. He made the class easy and bearable. Perhaps his stories took away from the ability for him to get his message through.

He's a great teacher and a sweet guy! Everyone misunderstands his counter arguments in disc.s, but he's not attacking you!Just trying to show the counter arguments to prepare you better.He's a funny teacher, his disc.s are interesting, what he wants is clear, its not very hard and if you have trouble he's understanding and more than happy to help!

Be prepared to stand up for what you believe and have a real argument. He LOVES to play devils advocate and will disagree with you on everything. If he is constantly debating you, don't worry that just means he likes you. His stories are funny and the class is interesting. READ THE PAGES HE ASSIGNS, theyll be on the tests. Good guy.

In 111 you have to practice your speeches for your grade, but he's a great professor with lots of interesting stories to offer. Some people cannot stand him, but he is not mean; he just went to college during a time where professors were way more honest then they are now. Only 3 speeches; don't let reviews scare you out of taking his class.

He gets off topic a lot, but overall he's an awesome teacher!

Professor Backstrom works quite well with this course. It is a bit of a tough class but extra credit goes a long way. My public speaking skills are vastly improved because of this course. I'd arguably say he's the best speech teacher at this school. It really comes down to wether or not you prefer the easy way out or an educational experience.

People say he's a terrible teacher, but in all honesty I thought he was a really cool guy. He likes to challenge you and make you think, and because of this I learned tons. He also loves to play devils advocate so make sure you can back up what you say. He opened up a whole new way of thinking to me, and overall made me a better speaker.

I'm graduating in August. He made me work harder than ANY of my Economics profs. If you are prepared to work hard, you'll get a lot out of this class. He IS always ready to help if he can see that you care and want to improve.

The first few weeks of class he will come off as grumpy and strict, but he just wants you to know that he means business. His class requires you to put in a lot time and effort. Even after all that effort, you may not get the grade you wanted but you will know the course material very well. Overall he's a quality professor and I would recommend him

Backstrom has high expections, but what else would you expect at a college level? He does have a list of topics students can't write about, but it's for the student's benefit, not a method of torture. If you want an easy A, choose a different professor because Backstrom will make you work for your grade.

I'm glad I had Backstrom. He makes you work your butt off, and he can be grumpy, but he doesn't waste class time with BS. Both my roommates had other instructors who were very popular AND SO EASY! they also wasted time with lame and chilildish class exercises. If you want to be treated like a child, don't take Backstrom.

Honestly he's one of the best teachers I've had so far. He makes you think a bit more in depth and critically and it sticks with you. He can get off topic easily, but it all ties back in with that days lesson. Some people think he's grumpy but it's just the way he comes off- if you ask for help he will always stick around to answer questions.