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Laver, Gary

Cumulative GPA: 2.23/4.00 with 32 evaluations
Presents Material Clearly: 2.39
Recognizes Student Difficulties: 2.03

Psychology and Human Development Department, Cal Poly, SLO
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PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: B General Ed 11:22 am, Dec 24, 2011 Report Evaluation		Laver is solid. His 202 course isnt really taught by just him (the 500 person lecture anyway). There are many guest lecturers and the online student tools are excellent review tools. Many exam questions come right from the online study tool! Overall, a good class. Easy to get a B is you do the average work. If you study and review frequently, an A would certainly be do-able.

PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A General Ed 1:19 pm, Mar 7, 2011 Report Evaluation		I am SHOCKED by people's ratings of Professor Laver! I am starting to believe that PolyRatings is a totally inaccurate way to determine whether or not to take a professor. I think that Professor Laver is an extremely clear, organized lecturer and I really enjoyed and understood material when he presented it. I haven't had him for an entire quarter, but from the little experience I've had with him in PSY202, I feel that he is knowledgable and truly wants his students to succeed.

PSY 333 Junior Grade Earned: A Elective 1:00 pm, May 8, 2009 Report Evaluation		A late eval, but Laver is better off not teaching. He is much more suited as a butt kisser in administration. As the old saying goes, if you can't do what you were trained to do, be an Administrator

PSY 457 Junior Grade Earned: A General Ed 10:41 am, Feb 27, 2009 Report Evaluation		I cannot understand how Cal Poly thinks this guy is effective and now he is the Department Chair!!!??? Well better him kissing butt in his office then messing up student's education. Simply stated the most awful experience I have had in class at Cal Poly so far!

PSY 457 Junior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 1:34 am, Mar 22, 2008 Report Evaluation		Personally, I would avoid taking this Dr. Laver if at all possible, although I couldn't. I felt that as a teacher he was very boring and sucked all the excitement out of Memory and Cognition, a subject that could potentially be really interesting. He doesn't involve the students very often, uses an overhead the whole time. There are four 60pt mc tests and you drop one and some papers throughout the quarter. His tests are hard because he tests on the researchers and the experiments rather than the topics/key terms which was hard for me because there are a TON of names and they often conflict. He talks fast so be sure to remind him to slow down a little and he will. Do all the papers it will help your grade.

PSY 457 Junior Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 11:22 am, Feb 27, 2008 Report Evaluation		A darn right shame this felloe calls himself a Educator.

PSY 333 Junior Grade Earned: A Elective 9:04 am, Dec 24, 2007 Report Evaluation		RUN! What the hell was that!?



PSY 457 Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 3:11 pm, Oct 4, 2007 Report Evaluation		Dude is a f#@king robot! Hands down the worst Psych Prof I have taken in my 4 years at Cal Poly. or anywhere for that matter. Not to mention the Psych department is much better off without his Wife running around thinking she knows what she is talking about. So be prepared to be bored out of your mind. I received an A, but I'm really smart. So you lower "COGNITIVE" IQ folks will not do so well. Laver will tell you that, just ask him, he knows everything.

PSY 457 Senior Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 6:44 pm, Apr 3, 2007 Report Evaluation		Memory is a pretty tough course, since you have to know names and some dates about research. He gives four exams in the quarter and you can pick three or use the best three scores. I took all of them and found that the final was the easiest test to take, since the material was familiar from the other exams. I barely read the book and got a B-, partly due to my good scores on the three journal summaries which are easy and a research paper in which I actually didn't do the research! Yay. Anyway, pretty tough class, especially the exams.

PSY 457 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 8:41 pm, May 31, 2006 Report Evaluation		This class does not have to be as boring as he makes it. I don't know if there are other teachers teaching this class, but try to take it with someone else. The workload is hard- there are three midterms, three papers, and a research project. He also has the papers due on the same day as the midterms "for review" he says, but it just makes it harder and more work to do the days before. He doesnt really take any questions or involve students at all.

PSY 333 5th Year Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 1:05 pm, Apr 5, 2006 Report Evaluation		Laver does an amazing job explaining the information for this class. He has a system that works wonderfully. Take LOTS of notes during lab about how to access certain types of tests and why because it will be very useful for the exams. I never read the book. The only reason you need it is because he uses it for homework questions. Buy one with someone else and split the cost...or photocopy the pages of a friends book! Never miss the lab (there are two offered a week, so make sure you go to at least one of them) since it is very hard to copy someone else's notes from lab...lecture is better to miss. I really didn't like him for Memory & Cognition, but this class changed my mind about him.

PSY 333 Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 10:55 am, Mar 27, 2006 Report Evaluation		This class is based on statistical concepts, so if you have a background in stats you should be fine. Four homework assignments, which are easy and everyone works together anyways. A midterm and a final taken in the lab using the program he teaches you about. He is very straightforward and clear. if you are willing to put the effort you are looking at an easy A.

PSY 333 5th Year Senior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 12:07 pm, Mar 21, 2006 Report Evaluation		So I admit that any stats class is not easy for me. This was no exception. It is just a class you have to suck up and take for the major. As much as I took notes and attended all lectures, I still didn't do so well. But attending office hours did help A LOT. He is good at clarifying lots of stuff in his office hours, better than in class.The book didn't help much at all, that stuff you could figure out by asking him, so save some money and try to borrow off of a friend or something for the book. The only reason you need it would be for some homework.



PSY 333 Senior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 3:28 pm, Mar 15, 2006 Report Evaluation		For details regarding class points see comments from March 21, 2004; details still the same. I admit that I struggled with STAT 217. At first 333 seems very boring, a repeat of STAT 217. But, soon after the first two weeks, I was lost. The book helped me, some. I also used my notes from STAT to get me through. I felt he was heavy-handed with the homework assignments. He knows his stuff and is excited about the topic, but I learned almost nothing in this class. This is my last term and I can't say that about any other class I've taken. If I could do it over again, I'd...go to EVERY lecture and lab taking notes as thoroughly as humanly possible, ask questions in class ALL the time (he was good at giving clarification if someone asked), go to him for advise before doing any analysis for the research paper, find someone to study with that did well in STAT, and go to an open STAT lab for advice along the way - if they will help you. Oh, and on the last day of lecture he gave a good overview of the class, but it was too late and was only an overview of 1/2 of what would be on the final. I think it's just something you have to grin and bare. Good luck!

PSY 432 Junior Grade Earned: F Elective 3:42 pm, Feb 21, 2006 Report Evaluation		The tests are IMPOSSIBLE! I have never taken such difficult multiple choice tests before in my life! The homework assignments and paper are easy. He knows his stuff but is a little biased and can be rude if you are outside of the bell curve.

PSY 457 Senior Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 1:39 pm, Oct 21, 2005 Report Evaluation		I think that Laver liked to hear himself talk. He didn't acknowledge students when they had questions. His overheads were a bit chaotic/confusing. I found his lecture very boring. The text really pulled me through. You have to read and study EVERYTHING. Laver tests on names and dates of all the various studies more than the concepts. There are a couple short papers in response to journal articles that were easy to do. The lab study paper at the end seemed pointless, but work really hard on it because he grades it harshly. I only got a B+ in the class because of the low grade he gave me on my paper. Probaby the worst class I've had so far as a psy. major.

PSY 432 Junior Grade Earned: N/A Elective 2:33 pm, Aug 30, 2005 Moderated Comment		He hides behind his teaching job and his PHD in Psychology degree by using it to categorize and stigmatize those who he feels do not belong in his precious little world.

PSY 432 Junior Grade Earned: C Elective 5:02 pm, Aug 2, 2005 Report Evaluation		There are three 20 point homework assignments, which are easy to score A's on. There are two m/c midterms and a m/c final, which are pretty fair. You need to study even though they are m/c tests! He is a really interesting guy for lecture: enthusiastic, funny, friendly and intelligent. Additionally there is a 3-5 page paper for the project. Overall he's well worth your while and as an added bonus he's approachable when you have a question.

PSY 432 Senior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 11:25 am, Jul 18, 2005 Report Evaluation		The tests suck! Laver mixes in so many different facets of Psych Testing that it's dificult to get a handle on all the material. Homework is a cinch. Lectures move quickly. You will need to study, study, study if you want to do well in the class.



PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: N/A General Ed 7:50 pm, Mar 21, 2005 Report Evaluation		A really nice guy who has a lot of interesting information if you're intrigued by psychology. Recitation periods are a breeze. One handout/worksheet a week, an easy multiple choice definition matching worksheet. Easy points for his recitation period. You get most of your points just by showing up to class. I recommend Laver as your recitation period professor.

PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: C General Ed 2:03 am, Mar 14, 2005 Report Evaluation		Take Professor Lewis...she gives out the answers. As for Dr. Laver, he did not even mention any of the tests. Psy 202 was by far the worst class I have taken at Poly. The tests are all multiple choice and do not reflect concepts or ideas in the book, just obscure facts. Take any other class besides this one, or at least get a different recitation instructor.

PSY 333 Junior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 6:32 pm, Jan 25, 2005 Report Evaluation		by far.. worst teacher EVER! I feel so bad for anyone that has to take this class with him..

PSY 333 Senior Grade Earned: N/A Required (Major) 12:31 am, Dec 10, 2004 Report Evaluation		Ok first thing's first: what's with the constant snapping and gesturing in class?? If you've taken 333, you know what I mean. Taking Laver was really a painful experience. He expects you to get every concept perfectly the first time, and gives you no room for mistakes on homework, even if you tried your best. He is awful to sit through...I really don't even know how to explain it. He talks to the class as if we are a bunch of five year olds and overexplains things to the point of complete confusion. I think he is awful....just awful. NOT an easy A by any means, Laver is soo picky and anal about everything. NO DICE.

PSY 333 Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 3:29 pm, Mar 21, 2004 Report Evaluation		Dr. Laver probably teaches one of the most difficult classes in the psychology major. The class consists of four homework assignments, each worth 15 points, one midterm and a final, each 50 points each, and a term paper, which is worth 50 points as well. The homework is time-consuming and should be started early. Also it helps if you download a version of SPSS (the program you use in the class) for your computer at home. The tests are open note and open book, but don't let that fool you because they are HARD. Reading the book is not necessary, but can be somewhat helpful for outlining procedures and studying for exams. Going to office hours to get advice for the term paper is a must, but not too helpful for homework. When Laver checked homework, he usually looked it over for two seconds and said something vague like "Looks like you're on the right track." Be prepared to study and work in this class...not an easy A.

PSY 210 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Elective 7:26 pm, Jul 30, 2003 Report Evaluation		The tests were fine if you read the book and go to class. They are basically right from both. This guy is awesome, the whole crew that teaches is awesome. The course is interesting and they make it real enjoyable. I suggest it for sure, Breaux is a great teacher also!



PSY 432 Senior Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 1:34 pm, Nov 15, 2002 Report Evaluation		Dr. Laver was, by far, the most knowledgable professor I've had at Cal Poly. He is very friendly, approachable, understanding, fair, and informational. I've had him as a professor for 4 classes and highly recommend him and his teaching style. All professors could learn something from him!

PSY 333 Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Support) 9:49 am, Sep 26, 2002 Report Evaluation		Laver SUCKS.......Lectures, willingness to help students, monitone voice.....ahhhhh

PSY 201 Sophomore Grade Earned: B General Ed 1:27 pm, Jul 17, 2002 Report Evaluation		Best guy to take for recitation! Only work you have to do are one page worksheets, (one a week). Two things you need to know for this class. Use the book for the worksheets and use the website to study for the tests. He is an interesting guy and is very straight-forward. Save yourself time by printing out the lecture outline before you go to the lectures, just add details to the printout. Very interesting class.

PSY 432 5th Year Senior Grade Earned: A Required (Major) 4:41 pm, Jun 19, 2002 Report Evaluation		There is a dearth of points in Laver's classes. I had him for 432 and 333. So be careful not to waste away your points frivously. He is a pretty good professor. His classes are very exciting, but they're bearable.

PSY 202 Junior Grade Earned: A General Ed 12:33 am, May 1, 2002 Report Evaluation		I think that the most important thing that Laver did was to not get carried away. This is just a G.E. class. He did not try to change it from a three unit to a five unit class (although they changed it to a four unit class now). The tests were all multiple choice and the questions were clear. The only bad thing is that he never returned an email, but with all those students (a couple hundred for this lecture) he is probably pretty busy.

PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: B Required (Support) 2:41 pm, Apr 8, 2002 Report Evaluation		He gives pointless homework and is terribly boring. If you ask him specific questions about subject material, he usually gives a BS. answer.



PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: A General Ed 8:52 pm, Apr 7, 2002 Report Evaluation		Dr. Laver is very helpful and very nice. One thing that amazed me was when some of the papers were misplaced and then found, he e-mailed each student individually to tell them their grades. I would definately recommend taking this teacher.

PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: B General Ed 11:46 pm, Apr 2, 2002 Moderated Comment		Dr. Laver is excellent. His lectures are impressive- touchy little one liners such as "The Jig Is Up!" Up, up, yet NOT up with this guy. and oh-yeah, he presents coursework clearly and somehow turns a lecture on the brain into a humorous display of knowledge and intrest.

PSY 202 Freshman Grade Earned: A General Ed 8:10 pm, Nov 28, 2001 Moderated Comment		Good ole Laver...What a guy. Where do I start? While he feeds Sniffy the virtual rat to demonstrate classical conditionign, one has to wonder-- is he in fact Clark Kent incognito? I mean cmon...the hair? the glasses? In any case this man will make you laugh [and] cry.

PSY 432 Sophomore Grade Earned: B Required (Major) 8:42 pm, Aug 1, 2001 Report Evaluation		I also have Gary now for PSY 333, and I have a high B so far. Gary lectures fast enough that you won't be bored, but slow enough that you won't get confused. You don't have to really dig statistics, or be a statistics expert to understand his classes. He is patient with all questions brough up in class. He is far from being heavy-handed in deducting points on assignments and tests. If you have made an effort to begin working on a homework assignment or test, and you get stuck on something, he'll work with you in office hours.

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