I always tell friends who don't know Dan, that he is the Peter Griffin of the department - something is always other's fault, they are perfect such and such... The only 2 things I'm confused about our department: why they hired Pete, why they keep hiring Pete, sorry Dan. His total pay from the University is 200k+ every year and it's wasting money.
Great professor, entertaining and funny lectures make the content enjoyable. It isn't easy, and he definitely is arrogant about his vast knowledge of geography, but I don't blame him. He is really helpful and open to students, overall a great guy.
Dan Montello is one of the best teachers you are going to have at UCSB. Yes he is hard, but he isn't the kind of teacher who simply reads off of a powerpoint. The tests are entirely off lecture. Just go to class and type your notes.
Don't take this class. It is very hard and he lectures with an outline. He also talks very fast so its almost impossible to write down anything he says. The book is terribly boring too. This class shouldn't be offered anymore.
Understanding this dude's research will help you understand how he approaches teaching. Can be overbearing but also high quality educator.
Don't ever go to his office hours he'll put you down and discourage you. Should be fired from UCSB for his out of line behavior that I and other students dealt with. WORST Professor I've ever encountered!
AMAZING professor! So funny and entertaining! class was not too difficult, anyone can pass if they go to lecture and section. don't need the book at all
He's a pompous self-righteous teacher. I'm begining to wonder if the students are paying him in order to pass his class.
avoid the guy. means nice but cant stand his teaching style. the course was pretty dry
I took Geog 17 with Montello and hated it- his style of teaching, the test, etc. However, I was able to learned his style of teaching and then went on to ace the harder 172. Just know that his test are made up of whatever he wants to ask.It doesn't matter how well you "understand" the material, he scans your answers for the right term definitions
I found his personality abrasive. It was supposed to be a discussion-oriented class. I felt he responded curtly to certain opinions, while expounding his own at unnecessary length. At times he was almost belligerent in his defense of his personal beliefs, which seemed inappropriate.
Great Professor!.. Very funny!.. you get a lot out of each lecture he gives!.. Easy but fun class!.. Take it!
One of the most entertaining professors I ever had. The type of teacher that really makes me miss college.
Dr. Montello was one of the best professors i've ever had, he made statistics fast fun and easy and applied many great analogies to make explainations clear and fun.
