Now in his fourth semester teaching at the University, Computer Science Prof. Aaron Bloomfield has taught almost every Engineering School student from the Classes of 2008 and 2009.
His class is a requirement for all Engineering students unless they tested out through high school Advanced Placement scores.
"It is nice that I get to interact with so many students," Bloomfield said of his 356-student class. "It is a fun class for me to teach, I just get frustrated that it is so big."
Bloomfield said having such a large lecture class makes it hard for him to learn his students' names, and the class would probably be more efficient if it were only 20-30 students per class.
"I have always known I wanted to teach computer science, and I have always enjoyed helping people," Bloomfield said.
Teaching was a natural way to combine the two, he said.
Despite the size of the class and the large auditorium he teaches in, Bloomfield said he refuses to use a microphone.
"If you're using a microphone, you can easily fall into the habit of talking to the space right in front of you," Bloomfield said.
Even though Bloomfield said he goes through bags of cough drops to relieve his throat, he said he believes not using a microphone "brings a better energy level to the lecture."
Additionally, Bloomfield's "red slides" serve to keep students alert and interested during his 75-minute lectures. These slides include humorous 'de-motivators,' pictures of egg shells carved via lasers, examples of human stupidity and more.
These "change-ups" make the class fun and help maintain students' attention by giving the students a break from what he is lecturing from, Bloomfield said. He schedules a red slide once every 15-20 minutes.
Students are also encouraged to submit de-motivators for future slides because this type of humor does not hurt specific groups of society, according to Bloomfield.
"I want to make people laugh -- I don't want to offend certain groups," Bloomfield said.
At the end of the semester, students also vote for their two favorite de-motivators, and Bloomfield then purchases the poster-version to hang in his office along with his de-motivator calendar. One poster already hanging in his office reads, "MOTIVATION: If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
After pointing out his numerous displays Bloomfield said he thought half the time his students were probably laughing at him and his fascination with the de-motivators.
Evidence of his students' appreciation for his humor appears in the popularity of three Facebook groups dedicated to Bloomfield and his red slides.
With his own profile donning a picture of his dog, Pika, Bloomfield said he does not accept any Facebook friend requests.
"It seems like a competition -- who can get the most friends," Bloomfield said. "I kind of like the look of 'Aaron has no friends at U.Va.'"
Bloomfield will continue to teach computer science at the University next year and will continue to include his red slides in every lecture.
"I have a sense of humor," Bloomfield said. "I think it is pretty funny."
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