PH201

Methods

There are many ways to contact me, but please use an appropriate venue and file format for attachments. You are always safe with a .pdf with upright images and the pages in order. Consult the following when deciding how to communicate with me and other students:

• Office hours: I have many office hours.

• Canvas discussion:  Please post in the correct discussion.

• Canvas message: Use this to communicate with me privately during the term. For example, you want me to check your work and you fear giving too much away to other students or you wish to discuss a private matter such as a grade.

• Canvas assignment comment: Please don’t use these.

• Email: This is how to reach me before or after the term. Also use it for formal matters during the term such as a request for an incomplete grade, prolonged absences, discussion of disability accommodations, or academic honesty issues. Send me emails only from your Chemeketa email address.

• Zoom: You can set up appointments. They will almost always be accepted if they are during office hours. And you are welcome to negotiate appointments outside of these hours. Contact me on Canvas first.

Discussion Guidelines

The guidelines are here so that we can have useful and courteous discussions:

1. Post in the appropriate discussion based on its name.

2. Provide references for claims including a link whenever possible. But don’t worry about proper citation format.

3. Do not post any photos larger than 800 pixels on a side. You can change the size by clicking on the photo, selecting "Image Options" and then "Large".

4. Do not edit your post in response to questions or comments from me or other students (unless it is to resize a photo or correct a typo). Make a reply with an update instead.

5. The vast majority of your posts and replies should be substantive, concise, and on topic. There is nothing wrong with an occasional post that veers off topic or simply praises another post. But such posts should be in addition to more relevant and substantive posts, not an alternative to them. And do not make a post or reply that could be cut and pasted to apply to anyone or any topic. Here are some examples of posts that are not worth any points:

• “I found it helpful to watch the videos and read the text this week.”

• “Can you help me with the second online homework problem?”

• "The written homework assignment about Newton's second law was confusing."

• “I really like how you wrote about this topic. I agree completely. Good job!”

• "Be sure to have the tip sheet and your notes avaiable. And take a deep breath."

Here are some examples of alternatives that would normally be worth points:

• “The video on Newton’s first law had an example beginning at 20:38 that was helpful for me to solve problem 3 of the online homework.”

• “For the second written homework problem I was able to determine the acceleration by using Newton’s second law. But I had trouble determining the velocity. Does anybody have any suggestions on my next steps? Here is a screenshot of my work so far.”

• “Your free-body diagram looks great, but I don’t see a net force or an acceleration for the car. I think that they would both be to the right in this case. What do you think?”

4. You are welcome to disagree, but don’t be intentionally offensive. Debate is important to learning, so feel free to disagree (including with me). While disagreement is acceptable, disagreeing offensively isn’t acceptable. To disagree without being offensive: 

• Avoid language that is reasonably perceived as offensive (such as curse words, slurs, or deliberate use of a wrong pronoun).

• Do not “shout” through excessive use of all caps. 

• Succinctly describe your assertions and support them with additional information (including references) to support your claims.

5. Images should be of a reasonable size and quality. Relevant details should be visible, but the image should not take up more than half of a typical computer screen (image sizes are adjustable in Canvas). Do not take photographs of your monitor; use a snipping tool instead. Images should be embedded into the text so they are visible without someone downloading them.

6. The tone of communication should be semi-formal. Avoid use of “textese” or obscure acronyms.

Academic freedom will be honored in this educational forum.

See the next page of the syllabus.