2.5

Kevin Cole

Science - Grand Valley State University

2.5
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
20%
Would Retake
104
Reviews
2.5
Quality
3.8
Difficulty
2.8
Helpful
2.2
Clarity

20%

Would Retake

104

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

14

4

18

3

19

2

24

1

29

What Students Say

THE MOST MIS Understood professor

GEO111 - 4.0 rating

Kevin is a brilliant man and extremely patient

GEO211 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

80% confidence
Based on 10 grades
Most common grades:
A (3)
Not_Sure_Yet (3)
C+ (2)
Grade Distribution
A(4)B(2)C(3)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 14 reported grades
A: 3
Not_Sure_Yet: 3
C+: 2
B: 2
Common Tags
Lecture heavy (3)
Tough grader (3)
Lots of homework (2)
Skip class? You won't pass. (1)
Hilarious (1)
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
So many papers (1)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.03 avg change
Apr
Aug
Nov
Apr
Mar
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

111

5.0

(1)

380

5.0

(1)

GEO211

4.0

(7)

GEO10040

4.0

(1)

GEO

3.7

(3)
+8 more courses
Difficulty by Course

2492

5.0

101

4.0

GEO100

4.0

GEO111

4.0

100

3.7

Reviews (104)
4.0
3.0
GEO111
Nov 29, 2000

Nice guy, shows too many slides. I'm not a big fan of geology, so...

4.0
1.0
GEO111
Dec 7, 2000

This guy might be the smartest professor on campus. He really digs what he teach

3.0
3.0
GEO111
Dec 12, 2000

To many questions for a 50mn. test. Many slides, 0 field trips. Bad study guides

4.0
3.0
GEO111
Jan 7, 2001

Poor Teacher. Lecture has nothing to do w/ exams. Books/notes allowed w/ tests

3.0
4.0
GEO111
Feb 1, 2001

Lectures very boring and has nothing to do with tests.

3.0
4.0
GEO111
Feb 13, 2001

goofy,but hard to follow. tests impossible.

2.0
5.0
GEO100
Grade: C+
Feb 26, 2001

Environmental Geology is supposed to be interesting...Cole is out in left field!

3.0
2.0
GEO111
Mar 12, 2001

You don't need to really to do much because open book tests

2.0
4.0
GEO100
Grade: A+
Mar 13, 2001

The only thing that matters is the homework. Tests are over homework

2.0
5.0
GEO100
Mar 27, 2001

Lectures are pointless, tests are imposible, very strange guy, try to avoid

2.0
5.0
2492
Mar 30, 2001

pointless lectures - assignments hard and tests (based on assn.) are impossible

2.0
5.0
GEO100
Mar 31, 2001

He teaches a 100 class bad!! his lectures are so boring and pointless

2.0
4.0
GEO111
Mar 31, 2001

Its a snore class, bring a good book to read to the lectures.

3.0
5.0
GEO100
Apr 2, 2001

He seems like a nice enough guy, but he simply cannot teach.

4.0
4.0
GEO100
Apr 4, 2001

makes a gen. ed. class impossible - rediculous tests buy very nice guy

4.0
4.0
GEO111
Apr 10, 2001

Very smart but can't teach.Field trips are awesome and recommended for everyone.

2.0
5.0
GEO100
Apr 12, 2001

STAY AWAY! He is very boring...tests are impossible! Lots of homework

2.0
4.0
GEO100
Apr 13, 2001

Difficult gen. ed, lectures have nothing to do with exams, impossible homework

2.0
5.0
GEO111
Apr 16, 2001

He likes to show off how smart he is, talks over student's heads.Hard tests!!

2.0
5.0
GEO100
Apr 16, 2001

Doesn't teach material. Homework/tests impossible. DO NOT TAKE

2.0
5.0
GEO100
Grade: A
Apr 18, 2001

Word of the wise, DO NOT TAKE HIM!!!!! Lectures boring and tests impossible.

3.0
5.0
GEO111
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Apr 19, 2001

I am a 3.2 GPA and I thought that this was the hardest class ever. Do not take!

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
May 2, 2001

He is the worst Professor that I have ever had! His test are impossible!

3.0
1.0
GEO100
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
May 9, 2001

do your homework in class! class avr. was C, only cause he moved them up himself

3.0
4.0
GEO100
Grade: B
May 10, 2001

study the even #'s, the ones that you wouldn't think would be on the test.

2.0
4.0
GEO100
Sep 26, 2001

Looks like Greg Brady

1.0
4.0
GEO111
Oct 8, 2001

Worst teacher ever had. Avoid!!! Never makes any sense .lectures are miserable!!

1.0
4.0
101
Oct 16, 2001

aweful.boring.too many slides. lectures cover nothing. tests impossible.

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Nov 8, 2001

Worst prof ever had!! Boring class. Test impossible. AVOID!!!!!!!!!

5.0
1.0
111
Nov 8, 2001

Craziest Prof. on Campus 2001 - the man is a genius. kind of spaced out though.

4.0
3.0
GEO211
Nov 9, 2001

Kevin's crazy but cool. Mineralogy is a hard class but he made it really fun.

5.0
2.0
GEO
Jan 18, 2002

If you're lazy & don't care about learning avoid but kevin's awesome if you care

5.0
2.0
GEO
Jan 18, 2002

anyone that says that Kevin Cole is a bad prof. is either stupid, lazy, or both

3.0
4.0
GEO100
Apr 15, 2002

in his own geological world, spaced out , means well

3.0
5.0
GEO111
Apr 21, 2002

Impossible instructor. Don't bother studying. Kind of funny though.

4.0
2.0
GEO211
Apr 26, 2002

No Comments

5.0
3.0
GEO111
Apr 29, 2002

Like his subtle sense of humor, really smart and makes you work.

2.0
3.0
GEO111
Apr 30, 2002

crazy guy. class is tough but tests are open book open note...

1.0
5.0
GEO100
Jun 10, 2002

Stay away! His tests are immposible! Never get an A!

5.0
3.0
380
Aug 27, 2002

Go on a trip with him. It's crazy. He's a fair teacher, always willing to help.

1.0
5.0
100
Sep 24, 2002

No Comments

2.0
4.0
GEO111
Sep 24, 2002

I had no idea what he was talking about in class. Tests don't pertain to lectur

5.0
2.0
GEO101
Nov 7, 2002

crazy guy , but Not bad at all

3.0
4.0
GEO100
Nov 17, 2002

No Comments

3.0
2.0
GEO100
Nov 19, 2002

Lots of homework but easy class. Doesn't explain much just watch slides

4.0
1.0
GEO100
Nov 19, 2002

A lot of homework, but very easy class.

2.0
4.0
GEO100
Dec 9, 2002

Weirdo, tons of homework, Exams R Ok, talks about nothing, boring

5.0
1.0
GEO211
Dec 11, 2002

This class should be required for all majors!!! Kevin is great!! CANADA + BEER!!

1.0
5.0
100
Dec 12, 2002

DON'T TAKE IT!!!

2.0
4.0
GEO100
Jan 8, 2003

Totally boring! Assignments are VERY time consuming and confusing!

1.0
5.0
GEO100
Jan 14, 2003

run!, voice sounds like Ben Stein, Buehler, Buehler. Ferris Buehler

1.0
5.0
GEO101
Jan 31, 2003

nothing he teaches has any importance to class, tests are impossible

1.0
5.0
GEO
Feb 19, 2003

never showed up for scheduled appointments, never available during office hours

3.0
5.0
GEO111
Feb 21, 2003

Tests are very hard! His Labs are good though!

3.0
4.0
GEO111
Mar 17, 2003

Do not take this class for an easy Gen Ed. Test are crazy but Labs are OK. VERY HARD.

1.0
5.0
GEO100
Apr 15, 2003

It was the WORST class I have ever taken. He talks about nothing and the test are so hard. There is a ton of homework and he is not helpful at all. Lectures about his trips and not text.

4.0
2.0
GEO11
Apr 16, 2003

Nice guy, helps if you ask him questions. Labs are really fun. Easy to get good grades in lab.

1.0
4.0
GEO111
Apr 18, 2003

Very important mineral my foot! DROP HIM QUICK FOLKS! He rambles on and on about nothing and actually thinks that people are listening to him. Most of my clasemates didn't even show up for class, just the labs and test days. He is absolutely the worst!

5.0
3.0
GEO111
Apr 25, 2003

GEO is a hard subject. Cole does a great job presenting it so students can understand. Very interesting class. Test are hard but open note/book. Labs will help raise the grade. Stick it out you'll learn a lot

2.0
4.0
GEO111
Jun 21, 2003

Quite disorganized,students don't really listen,duration of lecture is always not enough for Kevin.Really tough tests,but open-book.

2.0
4.0
GEO111
Jul 23, 2003

Tests are openbook but hard. Talks too much-not any easy GenEd. Labs ok if you read some of book. He can't lecture-very boring and disorganized! Don't need to go to lectures-don't learn anything. Doesn't use Blackboard much. Try to avoid!!

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Grade: Pass
Mar 29, 2004

The worst professor Grand Valley has ever hired! The sad part is he's the head of the department! Never explains a thing, yet expects you to understand some really complicated things! Never, I repeat NEVER take this guy!

5.0
4.0
GEO111
Mar 29, 2004

He is a very intelligent man. It's almost intimidating. I am glad I had this professor. He actually makes me think.

1.0
5.0
GEO100
Apr 6, 2004

worst professor ever

5.0
1.0
GEO111
Apr 14, 2004

all you 111 kids don't know crap!!! this dudes rocks the campus down!!! smart as heck, funny as heck, and shear genious!!! just ask for help and joke back at em!!! peace!!!

2.0
5.0
GEO111
May 2, 2004

hes a funny guy,BUT he does NOT have good teaching skills, very disorganized lectures, dont even take notes cuz he jumps around on the board so much. He was a better Lab prof then lecture, i would NOT recommend him as your Lecture prof.

1.0
3.0
GEO100
Aug 11, 2004

He maybe a nice guy, but he was confusing and hard follow. The class is supposed to be easy, but he is too complex on the material... change profs if you can!

4.0
3.0
GEO111
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2004

Kevin is an awesome guy! a lot of people diss him but trust me...he's way funny and SOO smart! joke with him and talk to him out of class...you'll love him and his humor. OH and dont take it personally.

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Jan 26, 2005

He's been teaching this subject WAY too long because he expects you to know every last detail and know what rocks and minearls you are looking at without referencing the book (cuz we know the names of every mineral and rock!) just because he can. It's easy for him so it must be easy for you too! :(

2.0
5.0
GEO111
Mar 18, 2005

RUN!!!! run and dont look back. hes very knowledgable but he expects too much for a 100 level class

4.0
4.0
GEO111
Mar 25, 2005

The labs and homework aren't too bad. His tests are very difficult, however you get to redo the questions you get wrong. So you can recover half the points you missed. However, it should be easier for a 100 level class.

2.0
4.0
GEO111
Apr 13, 2005

willie wonka needs to get a new wardrobe. no doubt this man is a genius, however, he's so smart his people skills lack. homework isn't difficult, tests are open book/note, be prepared to name every single rock to ever grace earth with it's presence. change profs!!!

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Apr 26, 2005

I would have to agree entirely with the last comment. He is genuinely a nice guy but expects you to be able to identify every rock on the planet, and thinks that you must know everything he does. In lab, he and the TA made me feel like I must be the most unintelligent person alive. Chert rocks...

5.0
4.0
GEO211
Dec 24, 2005

For all of you crybabies out there, you SHOULD know your rocks and minerals! That's what 111 is about! Kevin is a brilliant man and extremely patient. He is a tough teacher, but really makes you learn your stuff. He also gives you plenty of opportunities to redo assignments until you learn it properly. Good man...

5.0
1.0
100
Jan 12, 2006

Good teacher. Good looking. Good sense of humor.

5.0
1.0
GEO100
Apr 21, 2006

Easy class. Turn in your homework and you'll do fine. Good looking...easy going. Good pics of diffrenet places he's been.

4.0
5.0
GEO111
Aug 26, 2006

This was one of the hardest classes that I took in my college career at GVSU (rocks aren't my thing) but I will never forget his willingness to help me. I would never have made it through without him!

2.0
4.0
GEO211
Dec 5, 2006

bancroft is awesome!!

4.0
3.0
GEO100
Jun 19, 2007

I think geology is incredibly boring, but I enjoyed this cl****. Kevin has a great sense of humor, though he is a bit on the wacky side. But it makes things interesting. If I had to take another GEO cl****, I would try to take him again.

3.0
5.0
GEO111
Sep 20, 2007

he is a genious, however sometimes he makes everything just as complicated

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Feb 18, 2009

Probably smart, but unable to communicate. Thinks everyone cares about rocks.

3.0
5.0
GEO111
Feb 18, 2009

Nice guy, but has a hard time communicating his knowledge.

3.0
2.0
GEO111
Apr 9, 2009

Kevin has some major communication issues and that make his class extremely difficult to enjoy and difficult to follow. His wife/assistant sometimes trys to teach and she really shouldnt. I think that the two of them put together make one very low quality prof. They know their stuff about geology, but arent fit to teach it maybe just practice it.

2.0
3.0
GEO111
Apr 27, 2009

Overall this class was a joke. It was the most un organized class ive ever had. His Wife is just annoying!! Does not teach well at all, Kevin will say one thing and his wife will say the opp and over time it gets you all messed up. Im just not rating him because he did bad i would say good if there was some. Geology 111

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Jun 29, 2009

Kevin has good intentions, but essentially fails at teaching. His class is incredibly boring and is impossible to pay attention in. Thank God he puts the notes on BlackBoard. Susan, his wife and assistant, is mousy. I found her fun to talk to and she always was helping me out any way she could. I wouldn't suggest taking this class/prof.

1.0
5.0
GEO111
Aug 11, 2009

HORRIBLE CLASS!!! Do not take it. I am not kidding when I say that more than half the class is sleeping in their seats during his lectures. Nothing he says applies to his exams or quizes. Prof. Cole is a very nice man, but a horrible teacher. He can not communicate very well. I eventually gave up in the class. The exams are IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!

4.0
1.0
GEO111
Jan 10, 2010

BY FAR..THE MOST MIS Understood professor.. I studied very little , did the homework and got a B. Whomever is complaining about his teaching skills is a whining freshman and needs to get over themselves.

4.0
4.0
GEO111
Feb 26, 2010

His lectures were a little hard to get through but if you read the section before class it made it so much easier to understand. His tests were very difficult but not impossible. And is wife is a very nice women. I talked to her all the time, every class.

1.0
4.0
GEO111
Oct 5, 2010

TERRIBLE! His class is extremely boring and impossible to get through. 2 hour lecture and then a 3 hour lab made each of my days absolutely terrible. I do not recommend taking this class. He tries hard but is just not a good professor. His wife is annoying, although much more helpful then him. I don't recommend taking this class with him.

1.0
4.0
GEO111
Oct 6, 2010

I have been at this school for almost 4 years now and have never had a professor as terrible as this. He never answers any questions, mumbles over his words and makes sure that the class is very boring. His tests are impossible and he is no help. If you get stuck with him I recommend dropping the class and taking it next semester with someone else

2.0
5.0
GEO111
Oct 12, 2010

He is possibly the worst teacher at GV. I never understand what is going on. His wife is horribly annoying and I only learn when she is not there. The class material is actually interesting after you spend four hours reading it yourself because you don't learn in class. Nice person but horrible teacher. Take geology just not with him.

3.0
4.0
GEO211
Jan 29, 2011

Overall Kevin is very knowledgeable. But, it's one thing to know something it's another to be able to communicate effectively to the students. THAT is where a majority of the confusion and dislike comes from. His wife is also VERY involved in the class and that creates more aggravation, confusion, and stress more than the actual class.

4.0
4.0
GEO111
Jun 29, 2011

Challenging class, great professor! Take Cole's GEO111 class in the summer if you can. Field trips were a blast! Yes, the material is hard, but prof Cole (and Mrs. Cole) are nice people and are more than willing to help you out. Prof Cole may not be the best teacher ever but is VERY knowledgeable and VERY enthused about his subject.

4.0
4.0
GEO111
Oct 16, 2011

Incredibly knowledgeable & enthusiastic. Tells interesting stories about personal experiences in the field. Made me care about geology & ended up finding it fascinating. He's strange, but I liked that, has a great sense of humor & entertaining quirks. Would love to take another class with him in the future. His wife was always sweet & very helpful!

4.0
2.0
GEO10040
Apr 6, 2013

Professor Cole is definitely a professor with a lot of experience. He really knows his stuff and can elaborate on almost anything geological. If you're into geology, then I definitely recommend him. He also has a great personality and is pretty funny. I had a blast with him. :)

1.0
5.0
GEO100
Apr 16, 2013

Terrible. Avoid at all costs. He's useless.

1.0
4.0
GEO100
Apr 27, 2013

He is a terrible professor. He is very knowledgeable in his field, but he can't relate it to students and his wife is at every class period and she is not useful at all.

1.0
4.0
GEO100
Apr 24, 2014

Terrible class. Avoid at all costs.Very knowledgeable, but this class is WAY too much work and the tests are WAY too difficult for an introductory class. He doesn't give you a study guide, and his wife is at every class period. She is very rude and useless. Avoid this class

1.0
3.0
CRN30229
Grade: C+
Apr 26, 2016

Geology 100-50 absolutely sucked. Dr. Cole didn't know how to teach any of the material; while he may know it, he didn't know how to communicate any of it. Worst class I've ever taken.

5.0
4.0
GEO211
Grade: A
Aug 29, 2016
Would take again

Kevin Cole is a great geologist, who knows the field as well as any. He is brilliant and you can learn much from him. With that said, sometimes he has difficulty communicating the information to the student. However unless you are the type of student who is unwilling to put in work, you will do fine in the class.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
5.0
GEO111
Nov 5, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He isnt ever prepared and doesnt ever seem present in lectures. If you want to struggle with a class dont take this class. He assigns last last last minute assignments, says one thing in class and a complete opposite on BB but forgets to mention it in class. I do not recommend taking his class.

Lecture heavy
So many papers
Tough grader
3.0
3.0
GEO11
Grade: A-
Apr 6, 2022

Cole is a very goofy guy, I had him for lab which was generally easy but he was not much help if you had a question. He also grades super weird so you never know what grade you are going to get. He is a super nice guy but is unorganized and makes things kind of awkward. I would recommend if you just want an easy lab.

1.0
4.0
GEO100
Grade: B
Mar 31, 2023

Lectures the whole class time every single class. SO BORING. Did hw for other classes in this one bc he posts the slides and only like 1/4 of the information is useful for tests. Weird grader. Took 5/10 points off movie notes that I literally copied directly from the movie??? DON'T TAKE, there are much easier gen eds offered.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
GEO100
Grade: C-
Apr 10, 2023

Professor Cole does not know how to teach. He throws information up on slides and has "lecture notes" but none of it is useful on tests. Doesn't explain clearly when asking questions, and adds random homework over weekends. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! Grades weirdly too, and will say one thing in class but it's completely different on a test or on BB.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

50%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

80% confidence
Based on 10 grades
Most common grades:
A (3)
Not_Sure_Yet (3)
C+ (2)
Grade Distribution
A(4)B(2)C(3)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 14 reported grades
A: 3
Not_Sure_Yet: 3
C+: 2
B: 2
Common Tags
Lecture heavy (3)
Tough grader (3)
Lots of homework (2)
Skip class? You won't pass. (1)
Hilarious (1)
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
So many papers (1)
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.03 avg change
Apr
Aug
Nov
Apr
Mar
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

111

5.0

(1)

380

5.0

(1)

GEO211

4.0

(7)

GEO10040

4.0

(1)

GEO

3.7

(3)
+8 more courses
Difficulty by Course

2492

5.0

101

4.0

GEO100

4.0

GEO111

4.0

100

3.7

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