Hello Everyone!
I am Dr. Benny Ng, and I will be your lab instructor for Chem 121L. I am so excited that you are taking this general chemistry lab. I very much look forward to getting to know each and everyone of you as we explore chemistry, the central science, together. I want you to feel prepared for our first week of class so I have put together this site for you. Please review the information below and bookmark this site on your electronic devices for quick references.
Please feel free to use my first name, Benny, when addressing me. If you are more comfortable using a formal title, you may address me as Professor Benny or Dr. Benny. I will also be happy to address you by the name that you are most comfortable with while we travel this teaching and learning journey together.
By the end of this journey, I hope you will be confident to use common lab equipment to conduct experiments accurately and safely.
Remember: It's okay to make mistakes, Chem-is-try! Let's do some experiments and learn chemistry.
Cheers,
Benny
How to pronounce my name
This section of Chem 121 Lab is a synchronous online course. We will meet each week on Monday afternoons (12:00 - 14:50) through Zoom beginning on Aug. 23. The Zoom link will be posted on the homepage of our Canvas site.
Each week on Saturday morning, new Canvas Modules with lab content and assignments will be published. The Welcome Module and Week 1 Lab Module will be posted on Saturday, Aug. 21. Weekly lab reports are due on Fridays, and weekly discussions take place on Wednesdays (initial post) and Fridays (replies). During this 16-week course, we will have 11 experiments organized in 11 modules.
The lecture and lab portions of the course are organized and managed on separated Canvas sites. Be sure to visit BOTH Canvas sites each week.
identify and properly use commonly used glassware in a chemistry laboratory
implement written protocols to carry out basic chemical laboratory procedures independently, efficiently, and safely and interpret the resulting data
If you encounter a general question about the course, I invite you to ask it in the Q&A Discussion forum Your questions will be seen by your peers and they may be able to provide an answer sooner than me. Chances are, if you have a question, others do too. Everyone will benefit from the Q&A Discussion. Subscribe it to receive regular notifications when new posts are made. If your question is personal in nature, please send it directly to me through email or the Canvas Inbox.
Email: benny.ng@csuci.edu
Inbox through Canvas: See the "inbox" icon on the left when you are in the Canvas site.
Zoom: I am available to meet with you via Zoom during my office hours and by appointment. The Zoom link will be published on the homepage in the Canvas site.
Office hours: To be determined
Email is the best way to reach me. I will respond to emails usually within 24 hours, weekends and University holidays excluded. Please also explain the issue that you may have by telling me what you try to do, what you have done so far, and what the error message is, if any. It will be easier for me to identify issues if you can take a picture of your work and attach it in the email. You did not receive my reply, please check your "sent' box and see if you did send me message.
I recognize that we are all experiencing a great deal of uncertainty week to week and even day to day. If you cannot connect via a scheduled Zoom time, I understand. But, I don't want you to feel alone or can't get help. Please just let me know if a different day/time that would work to connect in Zoom. You are never 'bugging' me so please, send me a message! I do get a lot of email and I don't want to miss your message! Please help me by including the following in an email:
Your Name, Chem 121 Lab
2-3 days and times you are available
I will contact you to figure out a day/time so we can connect.
Lab manual will be available for download in our Canvas site
Technology requirements:
Access to internet
A scientific non-graphing calculator
Install MS Excel in your computer, not Excel online
Install Adobe Reader in your computer
Mac users, you'll need to install the Chrome and/or Firefox browser. Safari is not supported by Canvas, and you'll find that our math equations may not work in Safari.
Install Kami (free) for Chrome Browser that allows you to annotate a pdf worksheets/lab reports
You will also need to use your camera on your mobile phone as a scanner to submit your lab report as a single pdf file. Please download free Microsoft Office Lens | pdf Scan for iPhone and Android
You can install the Canvas Student app on an Apple or Android smartphone, or iPad. If you rely on the Canvas app regularly, identify a computer where you'll be able to access the course at least once a week using the Chrome or Firefox browser. The app and browser versions of the course come across with some differences, so it's important to check on the browser version each week to avoid missing anything.
In the Welcome (Start Here) Module, please complete
Self-introduction (Initial post by Wed. 11:59 pm and Replies by Fri. 11:59 pm)
Learner Info Survey (Fri. 11:59 pm)
Intro to Beyond Labz and Excel Worksheet Exercise (Fri. 11:59 pm)
Lab Safety Quiz (Fri. 11:59 pm)
Create a fixed schedule to do homework and lab assignments. You need to be very organized and disciplined to succeed in this online class.
Before each lab session, preview the assigned reading and finish your pre-lab before lab! Write down any questions you have while you are reading. Write down important definitions, equations, concepts, etc.
Perform an experiment before attending all synchronous meetings. That way, I can provide timely support if you get stuck conducting the experiment or analyzing data.
Ask questions during synchronous meetings or office hours.
Review your notes and work out sample problems in the lecture notes and the textbook to help you analyze data and calculation.
Turn in lab assignments on time and avoid late submission. Start pre-lab and post-lab reports early so you can get help if necessary. Do not fall behind on the material. Keep up with the reading, homework problems, and lab assignments.
You should expect to spend at least additional 15 - 20 hours per week to prepare for this course. Depending on the extent of your academic preparation and recent college-level course work in this topic area, the amount of study time needed may vary considerably.
The successful completion of this course involves a partnership between you and me the instructor. As we enter this teaching and learning journey together, we must be mindful of the expectations that each of us will uphold. Please take a moment to read them now. I hope that you commit to them as you begin this course.
I will be actively present in your learning experience.
I will provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to ensure you meet our course outcomes in a meaningful manner.
I will provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.
I will do my very best to help you succeed by providing help and guidance and I will reach out if I sense that you need support.
I will provide a supportive and safe environment for you to experiment and discuss ideas with your peers.
I understand that you are busy and that you have many competing priorities. Thus, I have built in support and flexibility for your successful completion of this course.
I will treat you with dignity and respect and be flexible to support your individual needs.
I am not perfect and will make mistakes at times. I use mistakes as a learning opportunity to grow and become a better teacher.
You will be an active participant in this course and strive to meet due dates.
You will focus on understanding the concepts and performing the skills of this course, aiming for your own personal best.
Your success is important to me. I understand that there are many challenges for students in today's world. You will maintain an open line of communication with me so I understand how to support you including a concern with meeting a due date.
You will challenge yourself to try new things. Keep an open mind and expect to make mistakes. Treat them as an opportunity to learn and grow. Sometimes the best way to learn Chem-is-try is by trying, even if that means making mistakes. Don't be hard on yourself. You are human and will make mistakes.
You will treat me and your fellow students with dignity and respect.
You will be thoughtful in your interactions with peers while taking extra care to respect diverse perspectives. You will strive to regularly contribute to collaborative activities to ensure other members of the community have ample opportunity to read/listen, reflect, and respond to your ideas.
You will do your best to have patience with technology. There will be hiccups, expect them. We will get through them together.
You will uphold academic integrity by submitting only work that you do and understand for yourself.
As your professor, 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. Teaching and learning online may feel lonely at times! Remember: I am here to support you and your learning. I will reach out to you if I noticed you need a gentle nudge. You are always welcome to reach out to me what's happening on your end.
Please use that Canvas Inbox or email to drop me a note if you need some support with our course content. We can also arrange time to meet in Zoom to work through your challenges.
Disability and Accommodation Support Services (DASS) assists students with disabilities by providing a wide range of support.
John Spoor Broome Library provides a variety of services and resources.
Academic Advising provides services to undergraduate students
Career Counseling is available to help align academic and career goals
CI Tutoring Centers List of all CI Tutoring Centers
Writing and Multiliteracy Center provides academic support, resources, and tutors
Graduate Writing Studio provides academic support to credential and graduate students.
Student Health Services provides outpatient care to CSUCI Students.
William Arthur Ward said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Understanding how students learn, aligning assessments with instructional activities and learning objectives, and creating an interactive and fun learning environment are the three areas that I focus on in striving to be an effective teacher reg. My role is to help all my students build a strong chemistry foundation and increase their cognitive stamina and problem solving skills. Since you and your classmates have different backgrounds, and different motivations for learning chemistry, you and your classmates may take different approaches to solve a problem or struggle on different concepts. That's great because you can learn from each other in this diverse learning environment.
Finally, my success is not about what I accomplish in my life, but it's about what I inspire my students to do in their chosen profession and to learn beyond their classrooms and textbooks. When my former students contacted me that they got accepted to their dream school to continue their undergraduate or graduate programs, I have an enormous sense of accomplishment, which motivates me to teach and inspire more students. To be a great teacher is going to involve hard work and dedication. However, the rewards are enormous. Let's go!!!
I know that getting good grades can sometimes be stressful. To help reduce that stress and improve the likelihood of getting your best grades, allow yourself the time and space you need to do your best work. Don't procrastinate and if you get stuck on an assignment, reach out to me or one of your peers.
I welcome your questions and I'm happy to help you think through your ideas so you can successfully complete an assignment. Sometimes just a quick email or a five minute conversation on Zoom will help resolve your questions. Struggle is a natural part of learning, but if you're feeling frustrated that means it is time to reach out for some assistance. I am here for you during this journey.