1) Is there a book or a guide ? The website I will be using as a guide for lessons and assignments is :
http://onlinephys.com
All your assignments, labs , lessons .. will be uploaded on that website. Assignments are posted on moodle.
To
save paper, when doing your assignments, you can copy the text from the
website to a word document. Type the answers in your computer. If
you rather print the assignments, you can email yourself the
assignments and print it. If I collect the assignments, write the
answers on a loose paper or print the answers. In both case, remove any text style.
For independent study, you can use the Physics books found in the lab. (the red one or the blues one). There is also another study guide on line.
2) why so many assignments? Don't
wait the day before our class (or the same day) to do your assignments.
I usually give a lot of HW if a week end is between 2 classes. We only meet twice a cycle , we will have activities and labs, therefore I have to give you a fair amount of assignments.
3) do you collect assignments ? why should I do them, then ? what if I get stuck ? Because Trevor is about independence study and because we meet only twice
a cycle and because you will have hands-on activities, some assignments
posted will ask you to teach yourself some concepts. If this is the
case, I won't collect the assignments and we will go over them, together in class. However, you need to work the assignments out : - a material is better digested if you go over before coming to class - the quizzes will strangely resemble the assignments
If
you get stuck, leave a blank or send me an email for hints. I will
help you.It is ok to send me email after school or over the week end.
Sometime, I will collect the HW but I will state so in class server/noodle. Always ready my emails. I will send an email concerning tests, quizzes, finals or assignments.
4) When you collect HW, do you grade them When I collect questions, they will count for the next quiz. They become take home quiz questions.
5) Can I talk in class? what about the hands-on activities? If
you have any question, please raise your hand and we will listen to
you. If I talk, I expect you to listen to me. THis is about
respect for your friends and teacher. If you are disruptive /
disrespectful I will ask you to leave the classroom. If you need to
finish a conversation, leave the class room. Keep in mind that 10% of the final grade is participation, attendance. If you are disruptive, the grade will go down by a grade (from A- to B+ for example).
I encourage you to teach each other and help each other during our labs. It is ok to talk and discuss then. (only about the lab of course).
6) How do you grade the lab report ? the
lab counts for 20% of the final grade. The lab report is usually short
and you need to follow directions (very straight forward) . However,
don't rush. You need to collect good data for full credits. Ask me if
you are unsure. You can get easily an A if you don't rush and do it
seriously. I base my grade not only on the data collected and the
computations but also on your attitude during the sessions. Is a
student is not involved in the lab and is not using collaborative work,
he/she can't get full credits.
7) Do we have quizzes? pop quiz ? You
will have 30 minutes quizzes. Usually after going through some
assignments. If you study your HW thoroughly, it is easy to get an A. quiz
will only include questions from the assignments. I usually only change
the numbers. I will tell you what to review. I have always a pop quiz
ready in case the class is disruptive. no pop quiz other wise. the quizzes count for 30% of the final grade. 1 student per table during quizzes.
8) Do we have tests ? finals ? The
tests are 1 hour long. They will cover an entire unit. If you work out
the assignments thoroughly, the tests will seem easy. You may have only
1 or 2 more challenging questions. But you also get a bonus question.
Usually, the asnwer was given in class. Be a good listener and Physics
will be a pleasure. Good news, no cumulative finals. 1 student per table during quizzes.
9) How do you compute the final grade ? 10% is for participation in class and attendance. 20% is for the labs 30% is for the quizzes (30mn) 40% is for the tests. Let's say you are not disruptive and you participate = 100% Let's say your labs are really neat and you are a good team partner = 100% Let's say you work your HW and do well on quizzes = 95% Let's say you do ok for the tests = 80% final grade = 0.1 x 100 + 0.2 x 100 + 0.3 x 95 x 0.4 x 80 = 90.5% THat's a A- !
