Teaching during the pandemic has led many professors to think more creatively and collaborate on new ideas. Whether that included converting in-person classes to fully online or changing how to mentor students, it’s been a transformative year in teaching. 

Prof. Koki Ho

Aerospace engineering professors Koki Ho and Juergen Rauleder have received recognition for scoring high scores on the student led Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS) for Fall 2020 courses.  

Facilitated by Georgia Tech’s Office of Academic Effectiveness, CIOS is designed to capture students’ perceptions of their learning experience in the classroom. Students contribute to the CIOS at the end of every semester to provide feedback for their current courses and instructors. 

The award is selected based on the student responses to three specific questions – instructor’s respect and concern for students, level of enthusiasm about teaching the course, and the ability to simulate interest in the subject matter. 

The data is used by faculty and other Institute stakeholders to inform improvements in the teaching and learning process. 

Professor Ho received the CIOS award in the Large Classes category for teaching AE 6353 - Orbital Mechanics and was also selected for the Class of 1934 Award, which is awarded to a limited number of Honor Roll recipients with the highest rankings in the calendar year of 2020. 

AE 6353 is the first graduate-level astrodynamics class that includes two-body orbital mechanics, orbit determination, orbit prediction, orbital maneuvers, lunar and interplanetary trajectories, orbital rendezvous and space navigation. 

Prof. Juergen Rauleder

“I am grateful to the students for their positive feedback and look forward to continuing supporting their success inside and outside of the classroom,” said Ho. 

Professor Rauleder received the CIOS award in the Small Classes category for teaching AE 8803 – Advanced Aerodynamics for Vertical Lift. 

This course introduces students to aerodynamic topics of current interest in the vertical lift community, including urban air mobility (UAM) or autonomous remotely piloted aerial systems, as well as traditional and advanced configurations in rotorcraft. The main focus is on the flow physics associated with vertical lift aircraft, to understand aerodynamic phenomena, relationships, tradeoffs and limitations.

“I am honored, by the students - and their evaluations. Getting recognized by the students is the highest honor a faculty member can receive,” explained Rauleder.  “I am particularly proud because Fall 2020 was my first one at Georgia Tech. It was a new class that I introduced into the curriculum, and due to the pandemic, I taught it remotely from Munich, Germany, so I am very happy that it turned out so nicely.” 

Both professors were recognized and awarded during the Celebrating Teaching Day held last month.