3.7

Patricia Vacca

Computer Science - El Camino College

3.7
Quality
2.9
Difficulty
60%
Would Retake
85
Reviews
3.7
Quality
2.9
Difficulty
3.6
Helpful
3.7
Clarity

60%

Would Retake

85

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

44

4

13

3

6

2

7

1

15

What Students Say

She is not easy but she cares about her students

CIS13 - 5.0 rating

If you do you work and attend Vacca is great

CIS28 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

100%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

74% confidence
Based on 8 grades
Most common grades:
A (4)
B (3)
Drop/Withdrawal (1)
Grade Distribution
A(4)B(3)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 9 reported grades
A: 4
B: 3
Drop/Withdrawal: 1
A-: 1
Common Tags
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Gives good feedback (2)
Respected (2)
Clear grading criteria (2)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (2)
TEST HEAVY (1)
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
Caring (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.68 avg change
Dec
May
Nov
Dec
Jan
Aug
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CIS3441

5.0

(1)

CIS28

4.5

(13)

INTRO

4.5

(2)

CIS1328

4.0

(3)

CIS29

4.0

(2)
+10 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CIS4343

5.0

COMPUTERSCI

4.0

CIS3528

4.0

CIS1328

3.7

CIS

3.5

Reviews (85)
3.0
5.0
CIS28
Mar 8, 2003

No Comments

1.0
3.0
CIS13
Mar 11, 2003

No Comments

4.0
4.0
CIS13
Apr 4, 2003

No Comments

4.0
3.0
CIS28
Apr 21, 2003

No Comments

1.0
5.0
CIS13
May 8, 2003

The teacher is lame...can't teach at all..you can't understand her...demands are way TOO HIGH.

5.0
2.0
CIS13
May 8, 2003

She helped me realize what I wanted to do as a career. She has a good sense of humor and is more than willing to help you out. She is nice if you are nice to her.

5.0
3.0
CIS
Jun 5, 2003

We love you!!!!!

5.0
3.0
CIS1328
Jun 6, 2003

Her class is not easy, but it is worth taking it.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Jul 9, 2003

Fast talker but good teacher. Funny and really nice

3.0
2.0
CIS13
Jul 16, 2003

Sometimes it's confusing to figure out what she wants done, and her tests are bit nitpicky, but I learned a lot and her labs are generally pretty easy. The class is worth taking.

4.0
4.0
CIS13
Jul 17, 2003

She doesn't put up with stupidity. Do what is expected of you and you will have fun. I think she is funny and I enjoyed her class

5.0
4.0
CIS1328
Jul 28, 2003

She makes the class interesting but there is a lot of work and she is picky

5.0
1.0
CIS13
Aug 1, 2003

Do the work and turn them in on time and you'll do good.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Aug 3, 2003

She is great, just do your work. She is very funny.

5.0
3.0
CIS
Aug 7, 2003

I took four classes with Dr. Vacca. She is the best!!!

5.0
3.0
CIS28
Sep 20, 2003

She is great. A good sense of humor and very smart. Don't goof off in this class. She will know your name and call on you.

5.0
3.0
CIS28
Feb 2, 2004

She's a really good teacher and covers a lot of material. You will learn the subject well

4.0
2.0
CIS13
Mar 9, 2004

She is a very smart professor, just do all your lab work because you can't make them up later.Take her practice tests,she covers a lot of vocabulary.Do your and you'll get by.

4.0
2.0
CIS13
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Mar 12, 2004

nice, funny professor. she expects a lot from you and she goes fast. her labs and tests are nitpicky. she doesn't treat you like you're stupid though which is an improvement over a lot of professors here.

5.0
4.0
CIS28
May 1, 2004

This class is great. She knows her stuff and is excited to teach it unlike alot of professors about here. The tests are not easy and she is demanding on lab projects.

5.0
4.0
CIS28
Jun 8, 2004

This is a great class and covers a lot of stuff. She teaches you what you need to know. Take this one before other classes.

4.0
1.0
CIS13
Aug 23, 2004

She isn't the most helpful techaer, if you ask her to repeat her instructions, so make sure you listen up when she talks, and if you want to screw around , she'll make you feel really stupid, but overall good teacher.

5.0
5.0
CIS28
Sep 23, 2004

This class is very hard but she is GREAT!!! Do all your work and don't miss the lecture ever. She explains everything you will need. She is tough on everyone.

1.0
3.0
ACCESS
Sep 28, 2004

No Comments

5.0
4.0
CIS28
Nov 30, 2004

This is a great class. It is not easy. Do all the lab work and don't miss class. Her lectures are complete. You will learn a lot. She has a good sense of humor and knows the material.

5.0
2.0
CIS28
Dec 22, 2004

Vacca rules, she is the person that inspired me to be the major that I am right now (MIS). She is funny, smart, and the learning process is so easy. Her tests are challenging, but if you know the material, then you will do fine.

1.0
5.0
CIS
May 2, 2005

Needs to get a life. Dr. Grumpy is an old hag that never explains. Will call you stupid if you ask her a question. If you suck up to her, then you will do ok, other than that STAY AWAY!

5.0
2.0
CIS13
May 18, 2005

easy lab work, lecture tests can be a little bit hard, but if you study the notes and read the book you'll be fine, lab is easy you do the work at your own pase get there when u want, but u have to get the work done b 4 you leave, i got a "B"

3.0
3.0
CIS13
Jun 29, 2005

Professor Vacca is not all that great of a teacher. She is constantly in a bad mood and will embarress you in class. Her work is pretty easy in lab but the lectures are really long a boring it is a garenttee that you will snooze during lectures. She really needs to get some kind of personality to spice up the class.

1.0
4.0
COMPUTERSCI
Aug 21, 2005

No Comments

1.0
3.0
BASICMSACCESS
Sep 7, 2005

She will ridicule you in class. She is continually grumpy - if you don't kiss up, you won't make it. Take something else... She's the only one that does Access - Basic and Advanced.

4.0
3.0
INTRO
Oct 3, 2005

No Comments

4.0
2.0
CIS13
Oct 27, 2005

She is fine! But She don't gave you avy extra credits. Thats why I got B from her. Take her class and you will be fine. But many of my classmates hate her because she acts ridicule in our class. But its alright she is a great teacher eventhough she is ridicule on her attitude.

5.0
1.0
INTRO
Oct 30, 2005

Here are the rules in her class: Be attentive, show up on time and DON'T FALL ASLEEP. Don't try to be sarcastic with her unless you want a sarcastic remark back. If you fall asleep she will torment you. I loved her! The Class was easy and you just have to do your work to pass.... Just behave and you'll be fine.

1.0
4.0
CIS13
Nov 18, 2005

I did not have a good experience with her. She is very mean and makes fun of students. I would not take her ever again. She is a very very bad teacher.

4.0
2.0
CIS29
Nov 23, 2005

Great Teacher. Demands Perfection. You will definitely learn if you are serious about learning. If you are there to waste time, then you need to find another class. She is serious about teaching and doesn't need students wasting their or her time. I love her straightforward personality.

1.0
3.0
CIS
Dec 1, 2005

the most meanest teacher ever. horrible old hag. but class is still easy though.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Feb 2, 2006

vacca is a very straight forward jersey girl who don't take no mess. she is a cool teacher,knows her stuff. don't come to her lectures late or leave early without clearing it with her b-4 time or she will embarras you. she don't like her class to be interupted,which is good for serious students. funny gal once you get to know her personality

1.0
2.0
CIS13
Apr 26, 2006

She is the rudest teacher that i have ever meet. She is very unclear in her lecture and doesn't seem to know what she's talking about

1.0
2.0
CIS13
May 1, 2006

she is a horrible example of a college professor

1.0
2.0
CIS13
May 1, 2006

she is not helpful at all.... not a very bright teacher

4.0
3.0
COMPUTERSCIENC
May 22, 2006

She is a really good teacher and she's nice.

1.0
3.0
CIS13
Jun 4, 2006

For the love of God don't take her.... she is a horrible teacher. She'll embarass you in class and make you feel stupid if you ask her a question. She seriously needs to learn some teacher skills and some manners

2.0
3.0
CIS28
Jun 28, 2006

I learned what i was supposed to learn. but i dont recommend Dr. Vacca. She is very rude but her voice is entertaining if you like Laverne & Shirley!

3.0
4.0
CIS13
Aug 8, 2006

She is one of the worse teachers that I encountered in El Camino. Most of her students hates her. She is mean & she is like a high school teacher who keeps watching us every second. Actually she is nice to me. I got a B on her class not bad but I deserved to got an A. She dont give any extra credits, & she dont encourage us in our school activities.

1.0
5.0
CIS13
Aug 27, 2006

She is very mean o everybody. She doesn't act like a college professor, and instead she act like a High School Teacher. Please dont you ever take her class if you dont want to have the worse nightmare in your life. She only gave me a B. I dont deserved to get a B, and now she mess up my grades.

4.0
4.0
CIS29
Sep 4, 2006

Vacca knows her stuff and is very thorough. Sometimes, her "Flaws" are entertaining, even motivating. She's the Boot Camp Computer Teacher... Tough, but you'll be toughened and gain a wealth of knowledge from her. She's one of the best around. Learn from her and don't be so friggin' sensitve. Life will surly be much harder on you than Vacca.

5.0
2.0
CIS13
Sep 9, 2006

love Dr. Vacca. Smart, funny, intelligent. The lady is good at teaching - all you have to do is pay attention. I did also read the book meticulously. She does not write her own tests - the test questions are CHOSEN by her from the ones the book offers. Do the tests@the back of the ch, it helps, but you really have to read the book. EASYA if u study

5.0
3.0
CIS28
Mar 16, 2007

I was a little intimidated the first day, but once you get to know her style, she's very interesting. If you are a big baby and overly sensitive, she is not the instructor for you. If you are willing to attend class and do all the work, she's the best. This is college, people, not high school. Don't expect someone to hold your hand all semester.

4.0
3.0
CIS13
Jun 18, 2007

She's a good teacher and really knows what she is teaching. She can come across as being mean if you don't pay attention during lecture or don't take notes. Showing up late to class will easily get you on her bad side. I enjoyed the course and learned quite a bit. The class wasn't too difficult and she went over Word, Excel, Access & Power Point.

1.0
5.0
CIS4343
Jul 18, 2007

I took her online and she is terrible. Her directions are very unclear. Maybe she expects everyone to already know computers so she doesn't explain in any detail. Worse online class I have ever taken. Any other subject online was taught better than her computer class. Consider anyone else but her for online CIS13.

5.0
1.0
CIS13
Jul 28, 2007

Easy teacher, easy class as long as you do the class work which is really simple. None of the negative comments posted here were true of her, at least not from what i saw in my class. Would definately take another class with her!

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Nov 21, 2007

Took this class online- Everything is easy except the test. I considered myself computer savvy before taking this class. The tests have nothing to do with operating computers. Cool teacher though... definitely "assisted" me to an A

2.0
4.0
CIS13
Dec 19, 2007

not the best cis-13 teacher, try to take someone else.Three, 200 point tests in which she asks 110 questions.didnt learn anything from taking this course.be on her good side. she can be very rude.

5.0
1.0
CIS3441
Jun 8, 2008

no mid term or final, just chapter tests. Be at class and be on her good side and she is nice to you.

5.0
1.0
CIS13
Jul 12, 2008

She was very funny and easy to be on her good side. Going to the lab isn't that important as long as you are on schedule with the work, but still she could care less if you are on time and all. But Lecture you better show up and show up on time. overall easy and helpful.

4.0
4.0
CIS13
Aug 6, 2008

Online Class. Decent class. Assignments take time but are easy. Exams are hard if you have not used Excel and Word a lot.

2.0
4.0
CIS13
Nov 20, 2008

No respectation to Students.Rude n Slang.Strict Attendency cuz there is that days announcement w starting the class.Just saying w/o voting and posting on Bboard to change Computer Lab time which has some assignment due that day.And she expects her students to know a lot more then CIS 13 class is suppose to have,so she is hard The worst ever for me

1.0
5.0
CIS13
Nov 25, 2008

I do not know when CIS 13 came a class that thereare 2 parts-contents and a skill for using- for Power Points fullcredit. I know CIS 13 is a class for to learn how to use computer but I did not know contenst is as same as the skill to using powerpoints to get a full credit. Her saying she said in class. But i went into class ontime,it alreadstarted

5.0
1.0
CIS13
Jun 12, 2009

I absolutely love Dr. Vacca. She is very straight forward in her expectations of the class. Prior to taking her for CIS 13, I was interested in computers, but not overly. She helped me determine that it would be my major. She's really great as long as you put in the work and show up to class - on time. I'd definitely recommend her. :D

5.0
1.0
CIS28
Jun 12, 2009

I just finished the Access course with Dr. Vacca. I learned A LOT. It's a good amount of work, and if you don't follow her lectures, you may be lost. But she is very clear on what she teaches, the assignments and what she expects. I'm hoping the Advanced Access class does not get canceled next semester as I'm looking forward to taking that class

3.0
2.0
CIS13
Jan 15, 2010

Kinda rushes through material in lecture but study guides are helpful. Only uses lab book and labs are pretty easy if you have a basic understanding of the software. Also you get free software!

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Sep 28, 2010

Lots of work but entertaining and covers what you need to know.

5.0
2.0
CIS13
Oct 26, 2010

Very impressive memory

3.0
3.0
CIS11
Sep 6, 2011

Smart and knowlegable but not nice and bad tempered

2.0
1.0
CIS0474
Dec 12, 2011

GREAT TEACHER BUT TAKES POINTS OFF IF YOU DISTURB THE CLASS. NO TALKING, NO CHEWING GUM, NO USING RESTROOM. TAKE HER CLASS IF YOU ARE PATIENT FOR 3 HOURS!

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Feb 9, 2012

Dr. Vacca is great. You will learn a lot. She is not easy but she cares about her students.

2.0
4.0
CIS3528
Feb 23, 2012

Her attitude is this, Shes a doctor and your not. Its just that simple. soooo sad. Drives you down instead of building you up.

5.0
3.0
CIS28
Mar 1, 2012

If you do you work and attend Vacca is great. If you don't go to class and ask aide to do your work thenyou have problem. I had her for 13 also.

5.0
1.0
CIS13
Aug 9, 2013

She is smart, but makes bad comparison of materials bus lines to city buses ect. I came to class hung over or sleep deprived most days and was still able to finish her labs faster than most of her students and often came late to lab. Do the work as a question if you have one it really is that simple

5.0
2.0
CIS13
Grade: A
Nov 3, 2013

Clear and teaches the material. She cares about her students

5.0
1.0
CIS13
Dec 16, 2013

Really good class. She helps you get the work done and teaches more than others

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Jan 4, 2014

Dr. Vacca is a great professor overall. I walked into her class with little to no interest in CIS, and walked out wanting to do something with databases as a career choice. Her class is easy if you STUDY, if not don't expect her help you. She knows who studies and who doesn't it's obvious on the exams. One of the best professors I've had thus far.

5.0
2.0
CIS13
Apr 22, 2014

A lot to learn but she really tries to help you. I didn't know much when I started but learned a lot. She was really good.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Grade: B
May 1, 2014

Nice lady and cared about the students.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
May 15, 2014

I just finished this class and Vacca was great. There is a LOT to learn and lots of work. She is fair with students and covers what you need to know.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Nov 18, 2014

She really prepared me for the tests and assignments. She is nice and cares about the students.

5.0
3.0
CIS13
May 28, 2015

She helped me to pass, gave me lots of help in lab. She gave out study guides for tests

5.0
3.0
CIS13
Grade: B
Dec 9, 2015

I just took this class from her. She really tries to help everyone. You have to go to class or you get lost. She drops one test score. The aide helps in lab so you can get everything done. There is lots of work

5.0
4.0
CIS13
Grade: A-
May 9, 2016

She is really good. The best for CIS 13. She cares about her students. Drops the lowest test score and gives lots of study guides and practices.

2.0
4.0
CIS13
Nov 14, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Hard to explain but just kind of off-putting, as well as her aid. They really zoom through lectures not really caring if you keep up or not. The tests on the books are pretty random and some questions don't even make sense which she tries to remedy by giving you bonus questions. I wish I took someone else to really grasp the material.

Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
CIS13
Grade: A
Dec 12, 2016
Would take again

She was the best professor I have had at Elco. If you do,the work the class is easy. She cares about the students and tries to spend time with everyone. I had taken the class before with another instructor and am really happy I took Professor Vacca

Gives good feedback
Respected
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
CIS13
Grade: B
Dec 13, 2016
Would take again

I just finished the class this week and I learned a lot. She goes over everything you need and explains the lab work. I had no experience and I did well.

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
3.0
CIS13
Grade: A
Jan 5, 2017
Would take again

I learned Access and Excel really well. She gives a lot of work but prepares you for all the tests. I had taken the class before and had trouble with the professor. She was the best and the students all seemed to be involved.

Gives good feedback
Respected
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
2.0
4.0
CIS1328
Grade: A
Aug 28, 2018
Wouldn't take again

She is smart and knowledgeable, but mean and intimidating

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

100%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

74% confidence
Based on 8 grades
Most common grades:
A (4)
B (3)
Drop/Withdrawal (1)
Grade Distribution
A(4)B(3)C(0)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 9 reported grades
A: 4
B: 3
Drop/Withdrawal: 1
A-: 1
Common Tags
Skip class? You won't pass. (2)
Gives good feedback (2)
Respected (2)
Clear grading criteria (2)
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS (2)
TEST HEAVY (1)
LECTURE HEAVY (1)
Caring (1)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.68 avg change
Dec
May
Nov
Dec
Jan
Aug
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

CIS3441

5.0

(1)

CIS28

4.5

(13)

INTRO

4.5

(2)

CIS1328

4.0

(3)

CIS29

4.0

(2)
+10 more courses
Difficulty by Course

CIS4343

5.0

COMPUTERSCI

4.0

CIS3528

4.0

CIS1328

3.7

CIS

3.5

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