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Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains helpful information about the process of the
course.
Questions concerning:
What is this "First Contact" and why is it required?
In order to reduce the number of students who fail a course by making absolutely no progress, the ADP Office has a policy that at least some contact with the teacher needs to be done within the first two weeks of the semester.
This contact can be very simply and easily done in a variety of ways. Generally:
- an e-mail
- submitting the initial biographical assignment sketch
- submitting one or more assignments
Although there are other ways:
- a letter
- a phone call
- a FAX
- visiting the teacher's office
You may have planned to start the mathematics course somewhat later in the semester. If that scheduled delay is not too large, then there should be no problem. Communicate this to the teacher!
You may be waiting on course materials. Communicate this to the teacher!
If I need help from the teacher, how can I reach him?
Phone, e-mail, or send a note. If you phone, check the office schedule and days away from campus to
see if there are "better" times. If you e-mail, please indicate the exact problem number (and page) with your question.
Do I need a tutor?
A proctor—someone to administer your test is a requirement.
A tutor—someone local that you ask questions and get help is not a requirement, but can be extremely useful to the point of being a necessity!
It is more difficult to answer questions and work through a problem by phone, whereas if you and your tutor can work together with the paper in front of you, then it is easier.
However, while is it a great idea to get help when needed and for someone to answer your questions, it is not a good idea to have a tutor that works the homework problems for you.
The best way is for the tutor to work similar problems—say the odd numbered ones—so you can then see how things are done.
Then work the actual homework problems on your own or, in the worst case, ask for limited help when you get stuck.
I have finished all the course materials, but am concerned they will not arrive in time. What can I do?
All materials to be included in the grade calculation must arrive no later then the morning that grades are due.
Generally, this is the Monday after the end of the semester (at noon). However, if this is your last semester, then there is an earlier deadline for "senior grades."
I would suggest that if you are within one week of such a deadline, then you FAX or e-mail any assignments.
Have your proctor return any tests or Final Exam by "overnight mail" or "next-day mail." It will cost you more postage, but it may be worth the additional expense.
Of course, the very best way, is to plan your progress to complete all the requirements well in advance of these deadlines.
What do I need for this course?
You will need:
How do I obtain these course materials?
| | syllabus | available on the course web site, teacher will send a paper copy |
| | assignment sheet | available on the course web site, teacher will send a paper copy |
| | textbook | available from a variety of sources including the SWAU Bookstore |
| | calculator | available from a variety of sources including the SWAU Bookstore |
| | course materials | available on the course website |
| | course recording (where available) | ADP Office will normally send this upon registration |
If course recordings are available and you have not received them within a few days of the beginning of the semester, contact the ADP Office.
What are the course recordings?
One of the hallmarks of the Distance Education courses from Southwestern Adventist University is the audio-visual recording of the actual on-campus course.
Up until about 2003, these recordings were analog on VHS tapes. Since then, the recordings are digital and are available on DVD's.
Generally, the digital recordings are higher quality and are easier to duplicate and distribute.
In a few cases, the VHS tapes have been converted to DVD's, although at the lower analog quality.
Recordings for some courses are not available. For others, the available recordings do not follow the present structure of the course because the text and other aspects of the course hace changed.
The goal of the ADP Office is to record and maintain current recordings of all courses available as Distance Education.
This is an on-going process!
Do I need a computer?
Yes! You need to be able to communicate with the teacher via e-mail. Certain course materials are only available only from the course web site.
You might find it convenient to watch the course DVD's on your computer.
Many of the other Distance Education courses from Southwestern are on D2L. This course is different. What's up?
The university has adopted D2L (Desire2Learn) as its general on-line course platform.
A number of courses, both on-campus as well as Distance Education, utilize many of the features available from D2L.
The ADP Office does insist that all of the Distance Education courses have an on-line presence.
The mathematics courses that I offer were developed in an on-line environment prior to the adoption of D2L.
It has been easier to keep this environment rather than convert materials to the D2L platform. There are also certain features that can be readily obtained in "html" that would be difficult in the D2L environment.
And, until recently, Distance Education students were not automatically registered in D2L.
However, access to the course website is available through D2L.
How should I address my submitted assignments?
Please send them directly to the teacher:
Lawrence Turner
Math/Physical Science
Southwestern Adventist University
Keene, TX 76059
Make certain the teacher's name is part of the address. Sending assignments to the ADP Office may result in a delay.
Also, if using a company envelope, make certain your name is on the envelope to prevent delays or even potentially the envelope being filed
unopened!
Can I FAX my assignments?
Yes! Use the ADP Office FAX number: (817) 556-4742. Make certain that you do not write too close to the edge of the paper—the FAX machine might "cut it off."
The first page should contain the course information, including the teacher's name.
As with all assignments, label clearly with the section number and the individual problem numbers.
Make certain that the pencil or ink you use is sufficiently dark that it produces a readable copy.
Make certain each page is labeled as to the section and your name and numbered consecutively so that the assignment may be put into the proper order.
Send only one assignment with each FAX.
Your assignment will be graded and returned to you via ordinary mail.
Can I e-mail my assignments?
Yes! However, to use a word processor to format your work is probably more effort than it is worth.
Much of working mathematics problems is best done with a pencil where you can "cross-out", rewrite, rearrange, sketch, and mark without having to fight the input device.
A better scheme is to work your assignment in the usual fashion on paper, then scan each page and send the images (jpeg or gif) as e-mail attachments.
As with the FAX copies, be certain each page is labeled, margins are appropriate, and the writing is sufficiently dark.
Send only one assignment set with each e-mail.
Your assignment will be printed, graded and returned to you via ordinary mail.
Should I use a pen or pencil?
A pencil is prefered so that you can make corrections easily without having to rewrite or make an ugly mess.
However, whichever writing instrument you feel most comfortable with is best.
Just make certain that it is sufficiently dark so that your assignments are easily readable.
Do not use a red pen as this makes it hard to separate the teacher's comments from your work.
It also makes it harder for the teacher to identify and add up your score correctly!
Should I make a copy of my homework before mailing it?
This can be helpful in the event your assignment is lost in the mail system; however, except for one or two instances where the incorrect address was supplied (wrong zip code) homework assignments have arrived safely within a few days.
Even in those "bad" cases, the assignments eventually did arrive.
To redo an assignment is an inconvenience, but probably would not take too long the second time.
If it appears that an assignment is missing, then I would be understanding and work with you.
Therefore, it is question of peace of mind and saving of some time at the expense and time of making copies.
In my experience as a teacher it is not necessary, but if you feel better, then go ahead and make copies!
How should I label the problems for a given assignment?
Label all problems according to the problem number in the text or assignment sheet—this is the same problem number on the assignment sheet.
Do not simply number them sequentially: 1, 2, 3,.... Without careful and clear labeling that refers to the text labels, it may be difficult or impossible to grade your work accurately.
In what order should I put the individual problems on each assignment?
The problems should be put in the order they are given in the assignment sheet with the extra credit problems at the end.
This helps identify them for grading and makes it easy to determine if there are any missing problems.
The solutions for some problems are really short. Should I fill in the right side of the page with other answers?
This is not a good idea! The best is a single column of problem solutions down the left-side of each page.
There are two reasons for this: the first is that it is easy for me to miss a problem as they are graded if one appears on the right.
The second is that any blank part of the paper is available for the teacher to write notes, correct solutions, etc.
Can I use both sides of a sheet of paper for my assignments?
Yes, although keep in mind that this makes it somewhat more difficult to keep everything straight especially if the pages are not stapled together or numbered.
For ease in grading I prefer only one side of the paper used.
Why is important to "show the work" on the homework assignments?
The homework assignment you turn should show solutions which include the steps not just the answers.
The useful consideration is for the assignment of partial credit. You may have made a simple arithmetic error somewhere in
the solution process that may cost a single point rather than the full credit for the problem.
Perhaps the most important aspect is that you can get specific feedback about any mistake.
A wrong answer may be due to a simple copying error, or it may be due to a fundamental algebraic misunderstanding you may have and are consistently using.
Showing your work and getting it graded with annotations can help you learn and avoid future errors.
Some problems request a graph. Do I need graph paper?
Graph paper makes it easier to draw the graph. However, with care you can sketch a graph on "plain" paper.
Make certain that you indicate "tick" marks for the values on the x and y axes and label certain ones with numeric values.
You may wish to place all the graphs on a separately attached sheet of graph paper.
If so, please put the problem in the correct order with the other problems and write "see graph" to refer the grader to the graph.
Make certain each graph is well labeled with the problem number.
Should I send in each homework assignment or save them up and send in an entire chapter at once?
The two situations mentioned are the extremes. The best is what make you the most comfortable.
By sending in each homework assignment separately and waiting to receive it back before sending in the next, you gain the benefit
of feedback—you may not make the same mistake on several assignments. On the other hand, that may be more costly in terms of time and postage.
Probably, the best is to avoid the extremes and send two or three assignments at once.
Should I submit all of the assignments in order?
Yes, if possible! The best procedure is submit the homework for a given section, sit the test, then study the next section.
This is because in many cases, the material builds upon previous ones.
While the homework will be accepted and graded whenever you submit an assignment (up until the time you sit the test over that material), it
is best to do them in order. There is also less chance that an assignment might be inadvertently overlooked.
Why is the latest an assignment can be accepted is at the time of a test?
The primary purpose of the homework is to provide practice and prepare you for the test.
It can only fulfill this role if it is actually done before the test!
Why do I need to submit some homework before the first test is mailed to my proctor?
This policy is to ensure that you are making progress before the first test is sent.
In the past I have had students who request a test (or all tests) as soon as they receive the syllabus with
good intentions of progressing through the course quickly. They seem never to get started and wish to drop the course.
Having a test returned from the proctor when it has not been sat is generally awkward and does not happen reliably.
If you at least work through one assignment, you get a better idea of what is expected in the course, how prepared you are to work through the material, the length of time it will take you, and whether this course fits your study program at this time.
It is very important and beneficial to you to obtain some feedback before sitting the first test.
What are the advantages of having the first assignment graded before doing further ones?
By having the first assignment submitted, graded, and returned you can learn if you are meeting my expectations on the assignments and are doing things in a manner that help prevent errors.
I generally will make notes on the assignments, especially the first ones. This feedback can tell you if you are "on the right track."
What if I make a mistake and use the wrong problem numbers?
This is likely to occur if the assignment sheet is misread by "one line off."
If this occurs, any problems that might match will be graded.
You will be given the opportunity to redo the other problems in the assignment set.
You will need to submit the new ones along with the graded wrong set by the time you sit the test for possible full credit.
What is the advantage of doing extra-credit homework?
First, for most students the additional practice is helpful in mastering the concepts and techniques.
Second, extra-credit problems can help "make up" for any points lost with other homework problems; that is, they can help you earn a higher grade.
Does the homework extra-credit apply only to the current assignment set?
No. The extra-credit is applied to the overall homework total, not just to each assignment separately.
Therefore, a few extra credit points earned as part of the first assignment can help meet a deficiency in the last homework assignment.
What happens if I earn, because of extra-credit, more than the homework total possible?
If the total homework points earned at the end of the course is greater than the total possible homework points, then the total possible is used in computing the grade.
That is, the extra-credit homework can be used to bring the homework points earned up to the maximum. They will not help raise a test grade.
On the course recordings, there is mention of doing lots of odd-numbered problems for extra-credit, but I don't see that in the course syllabus?
There are two different schemes for extra-credit.
For some on-campus courses, the students are encouraged to work as many of the odd-numbered problems as they wish for practice.
The answers are in the back of the text, so they can check their results.
If these problems are worked correctly with all the work shown, then they are scored as half point each.
Since the course video tapes are made during an on-campus class, they may have recorded the explanation of this plan to the students.
For other math courses, and for the Distance Education courses, this scheme is modified.
A specific list of two to four extra-credit problems are given with most assignments.
These are scored like the regular assignment problems with the typical 2 to 5 points.
The possible extra-credit points are comparable to the regular problems.
A typical assignment of ten problems worth 30 to 40 points may have three possible extra credit problems worth perhaps 10 points.
On-campus, a student could, and would need to, work 20 of the odd-numbered problems to earn this amount of extra-credit.
If you did not hear or see this half-point, odd-numered, extra-credit scheme on a course recording, then you can totally ignore this question and answer!
How long does it take for my graded assignments to be returned?
An unknown part of the total time, of course, is in the postal system.
However, I attempt to have each assignment graded and in the return mail by the next business day—sometimes it is the same day!
In a few cases, because of circumstances such as being away from campus, it takes longer.
Please note, if you send in a large number of assignments at once, then it will naturally take longer to grade them—I still aim for three work days or less—but it probably will not be the same day or the next.
Generally all of the assignments you send in together are returned together; however, on rare occasions because of the volume of assignments received on a given day, I have graded the more time-critical ones and returned them first so you will not be unnecessarily delayed.
Can I give all the assignments for a section to my proctor to be included with the test?
You can; however, this is not the best idea.
This does not give you a chance to obtain feedback from the graded assignments to assist in your test preparation.
From whom do I request a test?
Each teacher handles things differently. You may have been accustomed to requesting tests from the ADP Office. Perhaps all tests are sent to your proctor at once.
For my math courses, you should request each test separately near the time you plan to sit it directly from me, the teacher.
When should I request a test?
A test should be requested shortly before you plan to sit it.
Test requests that are received and fit the guidelines of the course are typically filled and sent to your proctor within a day or two.
Exceptions might occur if I am away from campus for an extended period (but these dates are posted on the web).
Since it may take several days after you make a request for the test to arrive at your proctor's, you should anticipate this so as not to be delayed in waiting for a test to arrive.
On the other hand, you should not request a test until you are about ready to sit it.
Normally you are expected to sit a test within two weeks after it is sent. Let me know approximately what date you are planning to sit the test.
I requested a Test anticipating sitting it in the near future, but then an unexpected delay occurs. What should I do?
You should contact the teacher explaining briefly that something has come up (you need not reveal more details than you feel comfortable with) and state when you expect to sit the test.
Always keep the teacher informed!
If the anticipated delay is a week or so, then fine. If the delay is a month or more, then I may ask that the Test be returned from your proctor and one be sent again when you are ready to proceed.
What are the ramifications of routinely requesting tests long before I plan to sit them?
As the teacher of the course, I want to meet all your requests in a timely manner.
When you have reached a point in your progress through the material that you might possibly sit a test within the "couple of weeks" time frame, I will send the test to your proctor and notify you by letter. (Generally this is when you have at least turned in all the homework and tests for the previous sections.)
If, as it turns out that you do not meet your end of the expected process and do not notify me about extenuating circumstances, then subsequent tests may be delayed in being sent to your proctor so that I can confirm that indeed you are planning to sit the test in a timely manner.
How may I request a test?
There are several ways which a test may be requested:
- attach a note to the last or next to last homework submitted for the section
- use the "fill-in" form on the web site
- e-mail the teacher
- phone the teacher
- mail or FAX a request to the teacher
- e-mail the ADP Office
- phone the ADP Office
- mail or FAX a request to the ADP Office
The first two or three are probably the easiest and best. The last three may involve a slight delay while the request is relayed on to the teacher.
Please include your anticipated date when you are planning to sit the test.
How will I know when a test is sent?
You will be sent a letter notifying you of the test being sent to your proctor.
The letter may also contain some additional information about the test.
Exactly what is sent to my proctor?
The proctor receives a envelope containing:
- the test in a sealed inner envelope,
- a Test Administration Sheet to be filled in when you sit the test, and
- an addressed return envelope.
The sealed inner envelope containing the test should only be opened when you are there ready to sit the test.
The proctor should fill out the Test Administration Sheet and return it with the test (and any homework that you might submit) in the return envelope.
You should provide sufficient postage to your proctor, and your proctor should mail it.
What happens if my proctor fails to return the Test Administration Sheet?
You will, of course, be notified and a copy of the Test Administration Sheet will be sent to you to give to your proctor to be filled out and returned.
The Test will be graded but not recorded until the Test Administration Sheet has been filled out by your proctor and returned.
May I use a calculator on the test?
Yes; indeed, for certain sections you will need a calculator.
Keep in mind that the majority of the questions will ask for an algebraic answer or an exact numerical answer, not a decimal approximation that a calculator typically produces.
May I use notes or other reference material when sitting a test?
The general answer is No. The tests are designed to be "closed book, closed notes" exercises to test
your understanding of the material by demonstrating that you can solve typical problems.
The only exception occurs in specific circumstances for specific tests in certain math courses when lists of formulae, tables of integrals, or other such tables
are supplied by the teacher and accompany the test paper. In these cases the notification letter you receive telling you that the
test has been sent to your proctor will alert you to this. In all cases you are to have access only to what is supplied in the sealed test envelope.
Is there a time limit for a test?
Yes. Generally the time limits are one hour for the chapter or section tests and two hours for the final exam.
For some advanced math course the time may be longer, but you and your proctor will be informed explicitly.
The time periods for all tests corresponds to the times allocated for the on-campus students.
It does not seem to manner if a test is at my proctor's whenever I may need it. So why not request them all at the beginning?
The longer a test sits in a proctor's possesion, the greater that chance that something might happen:
- the test might be lost or destroyed (the cat ate it!)
- you or your proctor might move
- you might change your proctor
- you might decide to withdraw, and according to the course policy any
tests outstanding need to be returned or else instead of the W being recorded, the grade earned to that point—probably an F—may end up on the transcript.
What are the potential ramifications if a test remains at my proctor for an extended time without being sat?
Beside the problems listed above, that particular version of the test may no longer be valid to satisfy the requirements of the course.
In this case, the old test would need to be returned prior to a new test being sent to your proctor.
Of course, you would be notified and would have the task of having your proctor return the original test (still in its sealed envelope).
I am up against a deadline and need several tests sent. Can this be done?
Yes, under extenuating circumstances two or, rarely, three tests can be sent.
However, you need to have demonstrated that you do make regular progress, and the tests will be sat in a timely manner.
Why is only one test sent to my proctor at a time?
There are several reasons:
- it is important that the tests be sat in order
- if a test is at the proctor's for a long time, then there is a chance it may be lost
How important is it for my proctor to be a reliable professional person?
The proctor is an important person in the success of you completing your course. Choose someone that is a professional person or a secretary to such a person (ADP guidelines!).
Ideally your proctor will have an office address. Choosing a friend may have certain conveniences such as you being able to sit a test in the evening or weekends, but sometimes a person without professional responsibilies
is not familiar with the needs for security and timeliness. The following "problems" have actually occurred (and this is just one teacher's experience):
- a student and a proctor became "enemies" some time in the process and a test was no longer available
- a proctor did not send a final exam in for several months after it had been sat—the student was almost assigned a lower grade
- on more than one occasion, a proctor lost a test
- proctors have moved taking a test with them
Your proctor is an important part of the team that works for your success. An office may provide a quieter place for you to sit a test than a home.
The moral is: choose your proctor carefully for reliability and professional experience—doing so may increase your success in the course.
I live near to Southwestern Adventist University and come to campus to take tests. Do I still need a proctor?
Yes! Although the ADP Office can administer the tests, the Administrative Assistant will be your designated proctor.
Often she works with the library so that tests are available "after hours."
Another possibility is for you to arrange with the teacher to administer the tests directly.
Why are the graded tests not returned?
The reason is that tests may be reused. While it is most helpful for you to
actually see how the test was graded, reasons of test security and logistics preclude this.
However, the primary mistakes are summarized on each Progress Report.
If you have further questions, I would be happy to discuss them with.
For those of you that live close by, please make an appointment and come to my office.
If that is not possible, then give me a phone call.
Should I make a copy of the test before having it mailed?
While this could be helpful in the event your test is lost in the mail system, because of test security the answer is No!
Indeed, you should have access to a test only during the limited time period you are sitting it.
At all other times, the test should be in the possession of your proctor or in the mail.
In my experience a test has never been lost in the mail—on several occasions it has been delayed in getting to me but these have been due to delays on the proctor's part.
How much time do I have to complete the course?
The course must be completed by the end of the semester. (See important dates.)
Because of the on-campus schedule this translates into approximately:
| | fall semester | 16 weeks |
| | spring semester | 17 weeks |
| | summer semester | 15 weeks |
How much time should I expect that this course will take?
The rule of thumb for all college courses is that each will take three hours per week per semester hour for 15 weeks.
Normally, this is broken up into 45 class meetings for a three hour course plus 90 hours in study.
However, some students will take less time, and others will need more time.
Can I start the course before the beginning of the semester?
Officially, No! Submitted materials are not to be graded and return to you before the semester begins.
However, the assignment schedule is publically available on the course web site. Therefore, you can get started "early."
By the first day of clsses for the semester you could have the first section of homework submitted and be ready for the first test.
By working in advance, you could gain an extra few weeks!
I have started the course and realize that I am not ready. What are my options?
If this is within a short time (say one to two weeks) of you registering for the course, you should discuss the situation with the ADP Office.
It may be possible to change your registration to another course.
You would then reregister for this math course when you are better prepared.
Another possibility is to consciously delay starting the study and take some time for review.
Please communicate with the teacher!
The worse thing you can do is to do nothing until the time constraints have made it impossible to do anything but withdraw or receive a failing grade.
I have encountered a situation that requires my full attention and cannot actively pursue my studies for a time. What effect does this have?
There are many types of situations that are understandable for working adults with families, etc.
We are happy to work with you. The most important thing is for you to communicate with the teacher and the ADP Office.
The major downside is that during any hiatus, you may forget some of the hard learned lessons and techniques.
A significant unanticipated circumstance may qualify you to request an Incomplete Grade.
Normally you will request the Incomplete Grade near the end of the semester even though the delay occurred earlier.
(Communicate with the teacher when the delay is encountered—do not wait until the end of the semester!)
This permits the best situation for you. You may be able to complete one or more of your other courses "on time."
An Incomplete Grade will give you an additional nine weeks to complete the course requirements; however, you need to have previously made significant progress in the course.
Since nine weeks is about 55% of the nominal 15 week semester, you should have completed 45% of the course by the normal end of the semester.
I notice that the teacher is away from campus, but I want to make progress. What can be done?
The times I will be away from campus are listed on a calendar page. There are two concerns.
The first, dealing with tests, is the easier to solve.
More than one test can be sent your proctor—this is one of those extenuating circumstances—so that each is there whenever you are ready to sit it. This also may be an exception to the general rule that it is expected that a test be sat within a couple of weeks of being sent.
Or, I can preprint the tests and let the ADP Office mail them when I instruct them.
The second concern has to do with homework assignments and can be more difficult to solve.
It is best to have homework graded and returned to you can use it to study for a test.
I have on occasion, especially when the time is fairly long, hired a math major to grade, record, and return the assignments.
Another option is the situation where I have e-mail access. In this case you work your assignment, scan the pages, and send them to me as e-mail attachments, then I can print, grade, and snail-mail them back.
The important thing is to be aware of your and my schedule so that these exceptional situations can be worked through in advance with appropriate arrangements set in place that will minimize any disruption or delay to your progress.
Does it matter how fast I progress through the material of the course?
Aside from the deadlines imposed by the university, the rate is not as important as making regular progress.
It is useful that you select a rate; whether it is one assignment a day or three per week, that is reasonable and
that you are comfortable with and then stick to it.
It is not good to complete one section in a week, sit the test, then wait a month before the next flurry of activity.
Therefore, set yourself a reasonable schedule and pace yourself with it.
Examples of unreasonable schedules are:
- One or two assignments every day and finish in a month.
- Less than two or three assignments a week—there are typically 35 or more assignments for the course to be done in fifteen weeks.
- A section during the first week of each month or only at breaks or holidays.
- Delay starting more than a month.
A reasonable schedule takes into account how rapidly you can learn the material given all the other demands on your time and allows some room for "slipage."
If something urgent comes up and you fall behind, then make an adjustment to the schedule and continue, but stay on some sort of a written schedule. Otherwise, it is too easy to put your studies aside and overnight, it seems, two months have gone by without progress.
If the homework total on an assignment is not calculated correctly or I feel there is some other error made in grading, what should I do?
Contact the teacher! I can make arithmetic errors or overlook something and am happy to make any corrections!
However, you need to do this in a timely manner—preferably within a week of receiving the graded asignmnents back—at least by the time the Test for that section is sat. (Do not wait until the end of the course!)
Will I receive periodic updates on my progress?
Yes! After each test you will be sent a Progress Report that gives the points earned for each grading category
(homework, test 1, etc.) and the weighted percentage earned as well as an estimated grade based upon your progress to date.
Included with the Progress Report will be a summary of the the major areas on the test where you lost points.
If I cannot wait for the Progress Report, can I get my test score and grade update via e-mail?
The answer is a qualified Yes.
I consider e-mail much less secure and private than the federal postal system and prefer to send you this private information through the regular mail.
However, there is available a form on the course web site for you to print, sign, and mail (or FAX) to me that you are willing to have this information e-mailed to you.
If I continue exactly as I have done so far will my final grade be the same as the estimated grade?
Unfortunately, in many cases, No. The estimated grade is based upon the work received to that date using the weights given in the course syllabus.
As an extreme example, suppose you have earned 100% of the homework for the first section.
Before you sit the first test, the only thing that an estimated grade can be based on is your homework—it is the only thing turned in it. Your estimated grade would be 100% or an A+. Great!
Now suppose that you then earn 50% on the first test. Your estimated grade might then drop to around 85% or a B.
If this pattern is continued, then after the second test your estimated grade might be about 77% or a B−.
The reason is that the high homework score is contributing a smaller portion to the final grade with each test.
If you maintained the homework at 100% and received 50% for each test and the final, then your final grade would be near 64% or a C−.
The course web site includes a grade calculator.
You can enter the known points earned and compute your current grade, or you can try "what-if" scenarios to estimate your grade under a variety of circumstance including determining what point you would need of the Final Exam to earn a desired grade.
On some of the Progress Reports the teacher writes that I have earned, say, 51% of the total possible for the course which corresponds to a D. However, my estimated grade is 92% or an A−. What is going on?
I generally not only compute an estimated grade based on things done to date but also compute a grade if you stopped at that point; that is, a grade counting all the rest of grading opportunities as zero.
When you have earned at least a D without doing anything further, then I try to let you know.
Some students find it reassuring when they have reached a necessary minimum level; that is, a D or an C even though they are aiming for and will earn a much higher grade in the end.
What are the most important elements, besides mastering the material, in obtaining success in my math course?
In a nutshell:
- Read and become familiar with the syllabus and the guidelines described above
- Communicate with the teacher
- Set and stay with a reasonable schedule for a steady progression through the material
- Have a local source that you can ask questions and get help
- Communicate with the teacher
- Spend the necessary time
- Be faithful in doing and submitting homework
- Communicate with the teacher
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