Akil Narayan

Teaching Portfolio



Philiosophy Experience Sample materials Evaluations


Teaching Evaluations


+ Fall 2011: Multivariable Calculus (MA272, Purdue University)
Mean score for overall rating of instructor: 4.8/5
I was instructor, and there was one informal mid-semester evaluation, and one end-of-semester evaluation.
End-of-semester evaluation: scores on a 5-point scale (5="excellent", 1="unsatisfactory")
Statistics from 30 responses:
Mean Standard deviation
Instructor shows respect for students 4.8 0.66
Instructor open to questions 4.8 0.66
Instructor encourages learning atmosphere 4.5 0.62
Instructor was well-prepared 4.7 0.46
Instructor gave clear explanations 4.6 0.49
Instructor was available outside class 4.6 0.56
Instructor gave fair exams 4.4 0.55
Instructor graded exams fairly 4.6 0.50
Instructor takes views and comments seriously 4.6 0.49
Overall rating for instructor 4.8 0.37
Selected comments from informal mid-semester evaluation:
  • The style of note-taking/homework works very well for me. If something is not immediately clear, you make it so.
  • Sometimes you assume we can follow when you skip steps and we have to think a little bit to keep up.
  • He really keeps the students interested. Awesome tangents.
Selected comments from end-of-semester evaluation:
  • He is a great teacher and gives students ample time to ask questions and get help if they are having a hard time understanding.
  • He explains why theorems are and the mechanics behind concepts instead of just giving us formulas to calculate.
  • I would like to have seen a bit more examples during class.
  • Maintained a positive rapport with the class; Approachable; Thorough in explanations; Knowledge on topics discussed
Complete responses from informal mid-semester evaluation: PDF
Complete end-of-semester evaluation results: PDF

+ Fall 2010: Multivariable Calculus (MA272, Purdue University)
Mean score for overall rating of instructor: 4.9/5
I was instructor, and there was one informal mid-semester evaluation, and one end-of-semester evaluation.
End-of-semester evaluation: scores on a 5-point scale (5="excellent", 1="unsatisfactory")
Statistics from 22 responses:
Mean Standard deviation
Instructor shows respect for students 5.0 0.00
Instructor open to questions 5.0 0.00
Instructor encourages learning atmosphere 4.9 0.34
Instructor was well-prepared 4.9 0.34
Instructor gave clear explanations 4.9 0.29
Instructor was available outside class 4.7 0.63
Instructor gave fair exams 4.7 0.54
Instructor graded exams fairly 4.8 0.42
Instructor takes views and comments seriously 4.7 0.54
Overall rating for instructor 4.9 0.21
Selected comments from end-of-semester evaluation:
  • He gives an in-depth explanation of theories and definitions.
  • Akil is a fantastic instructor who should teach every math class.
  • It would be helpful to present more examples of problems in class.
  • I loved this class! Akil's sense of humor and enthusiasm for math made the course enjoyable and I looked forward to going almost every day.
Complete end-of-semester evaluation results: PDF

+ Fall 2009: Ordinary Differential Equations (MA266, Purdue University)
Mean score for overall rating of instructor: 4.6/5
I was instructor, and there was one informal mid-semester evaluation, and one end-of-semester evaluation.
End-of-semester evaluation: scores on a 5-point scale (5="excellent", 1="unsatisfactory")
Statistics from 26 responses:
Mean Standard deviation
Instructor shows respect for students 4.7 0.48
Instructor open to questions 4.6 0.49
Instructor encourages learning atmosphere 4.4 0.88
Instructor was well-prepared 4.4 0.97
Instructor gave clear explanations 4.4 0.74
Instructor was available outside class 4.6 0.49
Instructor gave fair exams 4.2 1.06
Instructor graded exams fairly 4.5 0.57
Instructor takes views and comments seriously 4.40 0.56
Overall rating for instructor 4.6 0.49
Selected comments from informal mid-semester evaluation:
  • Clear and coherent.
  • I think you explain concepts very clearly, with appropriate speed. I like how you go step by step, if not I get lost.
  • Best math class I've taken in terms of clarity, content, and "entertainment value".
Selected comments from end-of-semester evaluation:
  • It's a good pace, and the professor is great at teaching in a way that's clear and concise. It is the best math class I've had here at Purdue.
  • I really liked his teaching style, and I learned the material easily from his lectures.
  • You explained things very well, I wish you had gone through more examples like the homeworks in class though.
  • Alway s prepared. Very well spoken. Easy to understand.
Complete responses from informal mid-semester evaluation: PDF
Complete end-of-semester evaluation results: PDF

+ Spring 2008: Introduction to Computing Sciences (AM16, Brown University)
Mean overall score for "quality of instruction": 4.29/5
I was co-instructor, and there was one informal mid-semester evaluation, and one end-of-semester evaluation.
End-of-semester evaluation: scores on a 5-point scale (5="excellent", 1="unsatisfactory")
Separate scores were recorded for each instructor; those pertaining to me are listed below
Statistics from 14 responses:
Mean Standard deviation
Quality of instruction 4.29 0.59
Clarity of Lectures 4.29 0.70
Instructor's speaking ability 4.50 0.63
Instructor's availability 4.21 0.77
Quality of course 3.79 0.91
Homework 3.36 0.72
Fairness of exams 4.50 0.50
Would you recommend this instructor 13 (yes) 1 (no)
Selected comments from mid-semester evaluation:
  • I enjoy hearing proofs, but more examples in class would be nice.
  • I enjoy this class very much and feel like I have learned a lot so far.
  • Your availability and willingness to help makes this course valuable. Otherwise, I'd just get stressed out and not learn anything. So thanks for always being willing to help out!
Responses from an anonymous informal mid-semester evaluation: PDF
Complete end-of-semester evaluation results: PDF

+ Spring 2005: Methods of Applied Mathematics II (AM36, Brown University)
Mean overall evaluation score: 4.93/5
I was a teaching assistant, and there was one end-of-semester evaluation.
Evaluation scores on a 5-point scale (5="excellent", 1="unsatisfactory")
Statistics from 30 responses:
Mean Standard deviation
Teaching ability 4.80 0.40
Knowledge of subject 4.88 0.32
Clarity of explanations of subject 4.83 0.37
Enthusiasm in teaching 4.77 0.42
Speaking ability 4.90 0.30
Blackboard technique 4.73 0.44
Availability 4.83 0.38
Overall 4.93 0.25
Selected comments:
  • He was very helpful and explanations were very clear. He is the best TA I've ever had at Brown.
  • Explained theoretical info using examples, organized material effectively.
  • Larger handwriting on the board would be great.
  • Explanations very clear, helpful, and friendly.
Complete evaluation results: PDF

+ Fall 2004: Methods of Applied Mathematics (AM35, Brown University)
Mean overall evaluation score: 4.58/5
I was a teaching assistant, and there was one end-of-semester evaluation.
Evaluation scores on a 5-point scale (5="excellent", 1="unsatisfactory")
Statistics from 28 responses:
Mean Standard deviation
Teaching ability 4.68 0.54
Knowledge of subject 4.64 0.55
Clarity of explanations of subject 4.44 0.57
Enthusiasm in teaching 4.26 0.75
Speaking ability 4.75 0.57
Blackboard technique 4.5 0.63
Availability 4.28 1.00
Overall 4.58 0.57
Selected comments:
  • Very knowledgeable and could explain things clearly.
  • Excellent ability to answer questions and reiterate the important parts of lectures.
  • Doesn't always stay organized as [sic] the blackboard when working through a problem.
  • Clear explanations. Always was willing to take extra time to help whenever needed.
Complete evaluation results: PDF