Hybrid courses are a mix of in-person and remote participation. Getting off to a good start is the best way to prepare yourself for success. 

The Essentials

• This course begins August 21. Our first recitation sessions will be held on August 22 at the designated locations posted on LionPATH.

• There are no formal meeting times for lecture. Lectures will be released as playlists of pre-recorded videos posted each Sunday before 5:00 PM along with additional readings as preparation for each module. 

• This is not a self-paced course. You will learn in a community with your classmates, our Teaching Assistants and myself. The biggest factor that can help you in this course is to ask questions (attend office hours and recitation, use our Microsoft Team Q&A forum) and keep up with the assigned activities, exercises, and assignments. We are in this together.

• Students are expected to watch the lecture and complete the assigned readings. Time organization is one of the most important keys to succeed in this course. On average, students spend 9 hours a week completing the material given each in each module (lectures, readings and assignments)

• Assignments are due Fridays at 11:59 pm Eastern Time

• Students are expected to be familiar with basic Python syntax (function definitions, data types such as int, float, bool, string and lists, conditional statements, loops and basic recursion)

Materials You Will Need for Week One

• Access to PSU's Canvas course management system

• Access to your PSU email account

• Access to a Computer that is running Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, or Linux and is connected to the Internet.

Due Dates for Week One

In week one, you will complete the "Academic Integrity" module, a brief "Getting Started" module and Module 1. A list of the Week 1 assignments and due dates is provided below. We recommend that you add these dates to your calendar now to support your Week 1 success.

• By Tuesday, August 22 at 11:59 pm: 

  1. Read the full and complete Course Syllabus (Getting Started Module)

  2. Complete the Acknowledgment of Course Expectations Quiz (Getting Started Module)

  3. Complete Lab 0: Environment Set-up (Getting Started Module)

Once you complete the Course Expectations Quiz, Module 1 will be automatically unlocked for you.

• By Wednesday, August 23 at 11:59 pm: 

  1. Begin reading Chapter 1 in the free online textbook. (Module1)

  2. Begin watching Module 1 Lectures playlist  (Module1)

• By Friday, August 25 at 11:59 pm: 

  1. Participate in the Week 1 "Introduce Yourself" Discussion (Module 0)

• By Sunday, August 27 at 11:59pm:

  1. Post two replies in the Week 1 "Introduce Yourself" Discussion (Module 0)

  2. I you haven't, start working on Lab #1: Dictionaries

Right now, make a commitment to yourself to log into our course by the end of the day each Sunday (or as close to that as your schedule allows) and accomplish the following: 

• Review all module items

• Write the week's due dates on your calendar (or somewhere that you can easily locate)

• Assess the workload 

• Plan a solution before writing program code

Having a mental picture of what's ahead is the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for each week. Also, consider your personal schedule and then plan when you will be available to complete the course work and submit each of the assignments on time. 

If you identify a challenge that could prevent you from meeting an assignment, contact me right away to share this concern. I am always willing to be flexible if you contact me in advance before a due date. Be responsible for your own actions.  

In you message me, propose an alternative due date in your email (within 24 hours is advised to ensure you don't fall behind). 

Please don't consider that proposal as being approved until you hear from me so that we can talk about your proposal and work out a plan together for your success. 

Reach out to me and the Teaching/Learning Assistants early and often when you are lost or confused!

As your instructor, I am the person you should contact if you need help with meeting the course goals.  I strive to make this course clear and ensure you can see your pathway to success. I understand that each student is different and will always strive to respond to your questions quickly and efficiently. Hybrid courses can be lonely! It's hard for me to know what's happening on your end if you don't reach out and let me know. 

How to contact me

• I'm here to help you! My preferred methods of communication are Microsoft Teams, office hours and email

• I will do my best to return your messages and emails within 12 to 24 hours. Over the weekend, I may not get back to you quite as quickly. If you do not hear back from me in two days Monday-Friday, please message me again.  I will get back to you!

• I’m happy to meet with you! Just email to request an appointment, include a few dates/times that work for you, then meet me at our agreed upon time on Zoom at https://psu.zoom.us/my/g.lopez249 

How to get your general questions answered

If you encounter a general question related to assignments, deadlines, instructions or any other course material, I invite you to ask it in our Q&A Microsoft Teams Forum. Your questions will be seen by the course staff and your peers. The course staff will respond as promptly as possible, but and if anyone has the answer -- by all means, answer it! We are a learning community and we are all in this together.

If your question is personal in nature, please send it directly to me through the Teams chat or Canvas inbox.