Mitchell Pumar: A Deep Dive into Teaching at Pierce College
Mitchell Pumar is a professor in the Math Department at Los Angeles Pierce College. Student reviews paint a multifaceted picture of his teaching style, workload, and overall impact. This article synthesizes these diverse perspectives to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective students.
Teaching Style and Clarity
Many students praise Professor Pumar for his ability to break down complex concepts clearly. He "clearly explains even the most difficult concepts," and some find his lectures "amazing." Several students highlighted his use of real-world examples and stories to make the material more engaging. One student mentioned, "I love how he mix his lecture with some of his hilarious stories."
However, a contrasting viewpoint exists. Some students find his explanations unclear, even stating that "his examples never make any sense and he does not clarify." One student claimed that "he teaches math like it is literature," implying a disconnect between his teaching style and the subject matter. A common complaint is that his lectures primarily consist of "solving the homework and examples from the books." Some students feel this approach isn't helpful, especially when faced with test questions that deviate from these examples.
Workload and Assessment
Professor Pumar's classes are generally considered demanding. The consensus is that there is a "decent amount of homework," and the "workload is solid, but not insane." One student described the class as "one of the hardest yet most rewarding classes I've ever taken." The heavy workload is often seen as beneficial, with students acknowledging that it "definitely helps with the understanding of the concepts."
Tests appear to be a significant source of stress for some students. One student described the tests as having "few tricky questions in them and they are usually not from homework and not even explained in class." Another student emphasized the high stakes of each question, noting that "for every exam its 5 questions on each exams and each one is worth 10 points so if you dont understand a question or make a mistake on one there goes a big chunk of your grade," leading to a concern about GPA. This led some to label him a "Tough Grader" and advise against taking his class due to the "TEST HEAVY" nature.
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Accessibility and Support
A significant number of students commend Professor Pumar's accessibility and willingness to help. He "is available to go further into anything during office hours," and holds them "4 days a week for more than 3 hours," even offering "daily office hours." He is described as "Accessible outside class" and as someone who "truly cares about his students, holds daily office hours, and talks to you like a person."
One student shared a particularly moving anecdote, stating that when they were "falling apart for weeks after escaping an abusive relationship," Professor Pumar "was there for me, and gave me the time & tools I needed to get back on my feet." This highlights a level of care and support that goes beyond the typical professor-student relationship.
However, there is a contradictory view regarding his availability. One student claimed "he literally does not give a damn about his students. Hence, the no office hours." This stark contrast suggests that individual experiences may vary significantly.
Extra Credit and Participation
Professor Pumar offers extra credit opportunities, and participation is often factored into the final grade. Students noted "EXTRA CREDIT" and "Participation matters" as positive aspects of his courses.
CourseKata Integration
Professor Pumar utilizes CourseKata's interactive textbooks in his teaching. He is quoted as saying, "This textbook will definitely educate students with an enriching understanding of statistical concepts. This is not a book that requires formula memorization or number crunching. The use of R commands eliminates the need for that…I will definitely use this book again." He also stated, "I found the CourseKata curriculum refreshingly modern. It completely transformed the way I teach statistics."
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CourseKata emphasizes deep thinking and data analysis skills rather than rote memorization. The curriculum includes online textbooks for homework, in-class discussions of key concepts, and analysis of new datasets. Supporting materials such as formative assessments and Jupyter notebooks are also available. CourseKata also provides professional development and support for instructors, including daily virtual "office hours."
Overall Recommendations
Student opinions on Professor Pumar are divided. While many praise his knowledge, accessibility, and caring nature, others criticize his teaching style, the difficulty of his tests, and perceived lack of clarity.
Recommendations for prospective students:
- Be prepared for a significant workload. Success in Professor Pumar's classes requires consistent effort and engagement.
- Utilize available resources. Take advantage of office hours, study groups, and online resources like Unstuckstudy.
- Actively participate in class. Participation is often a factor in the final grade, and engaging with the material can enhance understanding.
- Consider your learning style. If you thrive in a lecture-heavy environment and are comfortable with challenging assessments, you may find Professor Pumar's classes rewarding. However, if you prefer a more hands-on approach and struggle with abstract concepts, you may want to explore other options.
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