INST377 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Anmol Dash INST377 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/17/2024	I enjoyed this course because I found HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and API integration both interesting and useful. Generally, this class wasn't too bad as far as the coursework, however, two large assignments take A LOT of external digging on sites like W3 schools to find the answers to what he's looking for. The reason for my three-star rating is because I didn't feel like his lectures prepared us to complete the assignments which led to quite a few people dropping the course. Rather problematic if you ask me. He is an awesome guy though and he knows his stuff. Go to his office hours and you'll be fine.
Anmol Dash INST377 Expecting an A Anonymous 04/05/2024	He's absolutely fantastic! His lectures are incredibly engaging and are very useful; plus, he's incredibly accommodating when it comes to extensions and offers plenty of office hours for extra support and the TA's are great. I've gained a lot from this class and continue to do so. I definitely recommend taking his course—the assignments and labs are straightforward similar to his lectures. What I really appreciate about his teaching style is that he does live coding in his lectures which is very engaging, and beneficial, especially for those new to web design.
Anmol Dash INST377 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/20/2023	This professor is very knowledgeable and has proven experience in the content covered in this course. Initially, the class was off to a rocky start but he is very understanding and receptive to feedback so the class soon got on track. He is responsive and understanding. I would highly recommend this course!
Anmol Dash INST377 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/14/2023	Ok, so this course has been something else. The original teacher for this course unexpectedly couldn't teach so we didn't have a teacher for an entire week, but that's a different issue in itself. This course is online and has discussion sections which you don't have to go to. The issue with the course was it was kinda a mess due to him coming in so late that he didn't have time to prepare everything. His assignments can be way too difficult and his lectures don't help. Most of the time he just expects you to learn stuff on your own, which is fine in some cases but the stuff he covered in the lecture wasn't enough background info to complete assignments. If you have experience with HTML, JS, CSS, Node, and API integration then this class could be easy for you if not then it will be a challenge. I'm hopeful that this class can improve for future semesters, but this semester has just been too much of a mess to the point where I can't give him any higher than two stars
Anmol Dash INST377 Anonymous 12/01/2023	The professor is really smart and is so knowledgable but he made this course SO difficult. There were times I was spending hours on a lab and other times where a lab took me an hour tops. The lectures don't really help in completing the labs towards the end of the course and they are so long. Following a 1hr+ lecture in an asynchronous class is a lot especially if it is not broken up into smaller parts to follow along to at different times. The TAs are also not prepared enough to answer questions that students asked. There were multiple times where I was also waiting for hours in Office Hours to get help to be told "I'm not sure why you have that error". Furthermore, the professor does not help with system errors which sucks when it is a completely asynch class and the assignment is reliant upon your OS working effectively. If you are relatively knowledgeable in HTML, JS, and CSS and have a fair amount of knowledge with Node and API integration, this course might be much more easier, but as someone who was quite new to all of the topics, I feel like I struggled so much to even learn to the point where I couldn't learn because I was so stressed about getting things right.
Anmol Dash INST377 Anonymous 11/09/2023	Way too difficult large assignments, labs do not prepare you for them and TAs are just as confused as us
Anmol Dash INST377 Anonymous 11/08/2023	This instructor is extremely knowledgeable about software but the amount of work that we are expected to complete is extremely unreasonable. This has by far got to be the most difficult InfoSci course. The professor uploads lectures at the last minute and many concepts are not taught. Students are expected to "research" almost everything that is required to complete the assignment. The TAs know nothing about the assignments either. If you value your time and mental health do not take this course. Sincerely, A struggling student
Alex Leitch INST377 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/14/2023	As other commenters have said, the course has changed a LOT in the last few years and it seems to have gotten a LOT easier. There are weekly labs that have videos that walk you through nearly the entire lab-- you barely need to figure anything out on your own for these. The hardest part of the course is when you are doing your final project, as there is no walkthrough. But you can similarly emulate the labs to be able to figure your final project out. I didn't learn a ton to be honest, I think there should have been less hand holding for the labs or just other individual coding assignments without walkthroughs. But its definitely a lot easier than it used to be, at least from what I have heard from others. Prof. Alex was a great professor, my only complaints are with how the class is set up.
Alex Leitch INST377 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 12/25/2022	Course was okay. The lab videos walk you through each lab. The labs are easy but I can't say I learned anything.
Alex Leitch INST377 Anonymous 10/06/2022	The course has changed a lot since the previous reviews on here- they've re-recorded a lot of the lectures/resources, and the course is overall not that bad. It's daunting for sure, especially if you've never done web development. But I had no experience and I'm doing fine. Make sure to do the readings, watch the videos, and go to the lab sections for help. Also Prof. Alex is really helpful during office hours- make sure to bring them your specific questions and concerns. The TAs were also very helpful. There's also a class Discord, where we can ask each other and the instructional team for help. Overall, I think this is a challenging course but if you put in the effort it's not as difficult as the other reviews make it out to be. (Side note: Prof. Alex uses they/them pronouns. Let's not misgender them, even if you didn't like them and/or the course.)
P Kshetry INST377 Expecting an A Anonymous 01/02/2022	Kinda unorganized and lecture videos are outdated. Make sure you have a non-M1 Mac when you take this class or else you will have to hard code everything since some of the software needed is not supported by the M1 chip. Overall, very easy grader, lenient, and willing to explain what you don't understand.
Alex Leitch INST377 Expecting a B Anonymous 12/27/2021	Demanding workload for a major elective, wouldn't recommend the course. Professor obviously knows what they are talking about but often delves too much into theory instead of teaching for the assignments.
Alex Leitch INST377 Anonymous 02/09/2021	This course was very disorganized. The workload was demanding and she didn't provide a lot of support until after the projects were due. I wouldn't recommend taking INST377 with her
Alex Leitch INST377 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 10/27/2020	Professor Alex is a great at handling the teaching for INST377. While it is true that they are sometimes sarcastic, their jokes are meant to lighten the mood and never to harm any of the students. Office hours are always long and engaging, and so is lecture. Professor gives a wide variety of resources to learn HTML/CSS/Javascript, and is always willing to teach things in multiple ways for students who may not take well to a specific method.
Alex Leitch INST377 Anonymous 12/02/2019	Professor is so rude and sarcastic. She is very knowledgeable in this field, but her sarcastic tone/personality makes me really dislike her as a person and professor. She calls on random people in class and tells them off if they get the answer wrong. She doesn't even lecture or teach; she goes on long tangents in class. Worst prof I've had at UMD.

Anmol Dash
INST377

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/17/2024

I enjoyed this course because I found HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and API integration both interesting and useful. Generally, this class wasn't too bad as far as the coursework, however, two large assignments take A LOT of external digging on sites like W3 schools to find the answers to what he's looking for. The reason for my three-star rating is because I didn't feel like his lectures prepared us to complete the assignments which led to quite a few people dropping the course. Rather problematic if you ask me. He is an awesome guy though and he knows his stuff. Go to his office hours and you'll be fine.

Anmol Dash
INST377

Expecting an A
Anonymous
04/05/2024

He's absolutely fantastic! His lectures are incredibly engaging and are very useful; plus, he's incredibly accommodating when it comes to extensions and offers plenty of office hours for extra support and the TA's are great. I've gained a lot from this class and continue to do so. I definitely recommend taking his course—the assignments and labs are straightforward similar to his lectures. What I really appreciate about his teaching style is that he does live coding in his lectures which is very engaging, and beneficial, especially for those new to web design.

Anmol Dash
INST377

Expecting an A
Anonymous
12/20/2023

This professor is very knowledgeable and has proven experience in the content covered in this course. Initially, the class was off to a rocky start but he is very understanding and receptive to feedback so the class soon got on track. He is responsive and understanding. I would highly recommend this course!

Anmol Dash
INST377

Expecting an A-
Anonymous
12/14/2023

Ok, so this course has been something else. The original teacher for this course unexpectedly couldn't teach so we didn't have a teacher for an entire week, but that's a different issue in itself. This course is online and has discussion sections which you don't have to go to. The issue with the course was it was kinda a mess due to him coming in so late that he didn't have time to prepare everything. His assignments can be way too difficult and his lectures don't help. Most of the time he just expects you to learn stuff on your own, which is fine in some cases but the stuff he covered in the lecture wasn't enough background info to complete assignments. If you have experience with HTML, JS, CSS, Node, and API integration then this class could be easy for you if not then it will be a challenge. I'm hopeful that this class can improve for future semesters, but this semester has just been too much of a mess to the point where I can't give him any higher than two stars

Anmol Dash
INST377

Anonymous
12/01/2023

The professor is really smart and is so knowledgable but he made this course SO difficult. There were times I was spending hours on a lab and other times where a lab took me an hour tops. The lectures don't really help in completing the labs towards the end of the course and they are so long. Following a 1hr+ lecture in an asynchronous class is a lot especially if it is not broken up into smaller parts to follow along to at different times. The TAs are also not prepared enough to answer questions that students asked. There were multiple times where I was also waiting for hours in Office Hours to get help to be told "I'm not sure why you have that error". Furthermore, the professor does not help with system errors which sucks when it is a completely asynch class and the assignment is reliant upon your OS working effectively. If you are relatively knowledgeable in HTML, JS, and CSS and have a fair amount of knowledge with Node and API integration, this course might be much more easier, but as someone who was quite new to all of the topics, I feel like I struggled so much to even learn to the point where I couldn't learn because I was so stressed about getting things right.

Anmol Dash
INST377

Anonymous
11/09/2023

Way too difficult large assignments, labs do not prepare you for them and TAs are just as confused as us

Anmol Dash
INST377

Anonymous
11/08/2023

This instructor is extremely knowledgeable about software but the amount of work that we are expected to complete is extremely unreasonable. This has by far got to be the most difficult InfoSci course. The professor uploads lectures at the last minute and many concepts are not taught. Students are expected to "research" almost everything that is required to complete the assignment. The TAs know nothing about the assignments either. If you value your time and mental health do not take this course. Sincerely, A struggling student

Alex Leitch
INST377

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/14/2023

As other commenters have said, the course has changed a LOT in the last few years and it seems to have gotten a LOT easier. There are weekly labs that have videos that walk you through nearly the entire lab-- you barely need to figure anything out on your own for these. The hardest part of the course is when you are doing your final project, as there is no walkthrough. But you can similarly emulate the labs to be able to figure your final project out. I didn't learn a ton to be honest, I think there should have been less hand holding for the labs or just other individual coding assignments without walkthroughs. But its definitely a lot easier than it used to be, at least from what I have heard from others. Prof. Alex was a great professor, my only complaints are with how the class is set up.

Alex Leitch
INST377

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
12/25/2022

Course was okay. The lab videos walk you through each lab. The labs are easy but I can't say I learned anything.

Alex Leitch
INST377

Anonymous
10/06/2022

The course has changed a lot since the previous reviews on here- they've re-recorded a lot of the lectures/resources, and the course is overall not that bad. It's daunting for sure, especially if you've never done web development. But I had no experience and I'm doing fine. Make sure to do the readings, watch the videos, and go to the lab sections for help. Also Prof. Alex is really helpful during office hours- make sure to bring them your specific questions and concerns. The TAs were also very helpful. There's also a class Discord, where we can ask each other and the instructional team for help. Overall, I think this is a challenging course but if you put in the effort it's not as difficult as the other reviews make it out to be. (Side note: Prof. Alex uses they/them pronouns. Let's not misgender them, even if you didn't like them and/or the course.)

P Kshetry
INST377

Expecting an A
Anonymous
01/02/2022

Kinda unorganized and lecture videos are outdated. Make sure you have a non-M1 Mac when you take this class or else you will have to hard code everything since some of the software needed is not supported by the M1 chip. Overall, very easy grader, lenient, and willing to explain what you don't understand.

Alex Leitch
INST377

Expecting a B
Anonymous
12/27/2021

Demanding workload for a major elective, wouldn't recommend the course. Professor obviously knows what they are talking about but often delves too much into theory instead of teaching for the assignments.

Alex Leitch
INST377

Anonymous
02/09/2021

This course was very disorganized. The workload was demanding and she didn't provide a lot of support until after the projects were due. I wouldn't recommend taking INST377 with her

Alex Leitch
INST377

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
10/27/2020

Professor Alex is a great at handling the teaching for INST377. While it is true that they are sometimes sarcastic, their jokes are meant to lighten the mood and never to harm any of the students. Office hours are always long and engaging, and so is lecture. Professor gives a wide variety of resources to learn HTML/CSS/Javascript, and is always willing to teach things in multiple ways for students who may not take well to a specific method.

Alex Leitch
INST377

Anonymous
12/02/2019

Professor is so rude and sarcastic. She is very knowledgeable in this field, but her sarcastic tone/personality makes me really dislike her as a person and professor. She calls on random people in class and tells them off if they get the answer wrong. She doesn't even lecture or teach; she goes on long tangents in class. Worst prof I've had at UMD.

Reviews for INST377