INTRODUCTION
Dear Parent:
Science is headlining the news almost every day—whether it’s taking our next steps into outer space, making new discoveries in genetics research, or releasing the latest drug to hit the market. In order to stay connected in conversations and make informed decisions, it is necessary to have a solid background in science. Physics is one of the four core areas of science your student will study at Myers Park to help
prepare them for the world.
The most successful students are those who take responsibility for their own progress. We should try as teachers and parents to help each student grow in self motivation and in developing good study habits such as promptly completing homework, preparing for class, taking notes, and working with a study partner.
Physics is a course that requires students to actively take part in their learning. This means that homework and study time are both vitally important. If you find that your student is still struggling in the course, know that help is available. The physics department is a close group of colleagues who will arrange whatever we can to help your student achieve his or her best in our discipline.
In this newsletter and the attached information sheet you will find information on how to help a struggling student and a list of policies and procedures. Please read them carefully with your child and make sure that he or she understands all the responsibilities that come with this course. Also note the needed materials.
I am looking forward to spending the semester exploring Physics with your student. As a team, I believe that we can have a very successful year!
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. The easiest way to get in touch with me is via e-mail:
Sincerely,
Mr. Arthur R. Baum
CLASS WEBSITES
Wiki Page: http://baumphysics.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/
EdModo: http://www.edmodo.com/ (sign up with group code: ______)
Internet access will be important to check announcements on the class websites and complete some homework assignments online over the course of the semester. Upcoming due dates, test dates, notes, and assignments will be posted on the class wiki and announced via EdModo.
HAVING TROUBLE AND NEED HELP?
1. Try reading the section in your textbook that corresponds to the material being covered in class.
2. Go to the class wiki and link to the online review for the corresponding topic.
3. Ask questions on the course EdModo page for your classmates or the instructor to answer.
4. Check the wiki site for after school tutoring days or make an appointment with Mr. Baum.
If you have tried these steps and are still having difficulty, please see me as soon as possible to explore other alternatives.
PHYSICS SURVIVAL PACK
Just like any project, physics requires certain tools to get the job done right. Below you will find the required materials for the course (summarized from the attached information sheet):
Scientific Calculator (a graphing calculator can be useful, but is not required)
1.5” Three-ring Binder (specifically for this course)
*Lab Notebook (composition-style notebook with grid/graph paper, preferably 5 squares per inch)
Graph Paper
Notebook Paper
Pens (for recording lab data)
#2 Pencils (all work other than labs must be submitted in pencil)
Colored Pencils (will assist in understanding concepts in notes and on exercises)
* The lab notebook can be found at Office Depot or similar stores, and is the same style as a composition notebook (with a speckled front cover) but contains grid/graph paper instead of normal ruled paper.
Mr. Baum’s Wish List
Copy Paper
(paper is in very short supply!)
24 lb. wt. (or higher) Color Copy Paper
Tissue/Kleenex
Paper Towels
Hand Sanitizer
Dry Erase Markers
Dry Erase Erasers
AA batteries
AAA batteries
UT Homework Information
Getting Started
a) Log on to the following address or go to the class wiki and use the provided link.
http://quest.cns.utexas.edu/student/
b) Get your UTEID by following the instructions at the given link. Then log back in to the system.
c) When you view "My Courses", if you don't see any courses listed, click "Enroll in new course".
Obtain the unique number for your class from your instructor and enter this when prompted. Your instructor will be notified that you want to register, and you will see a status message indicating that your enrollment is pending.
Your number is ______
d) Viewing and submitting your assignment
Choose My Courses to view your course listings, and then choose a course to see the assignments associated with that course. Click on an individual assignment to see problems and a form to submit your answers. Problems have many different variations, so your assignment will be different from another student in your class. All assignments have due dates and your instructor has the option of displaying a solution after the due date has passed.
Numbers
a) Significant digits and precision: The computer carries out all calculations to at least six significant digits. Do not use "significant figures" algorithms to round off your answer. Do not round off 'intermediate' calculations. Six digits are shown in solutions. To be scored as correct, an answer must be within 1% of the computer's answer (except for an answer of zero, which must be exact). You will be informed of any exceptions to this tolerance.
b) Scientific/Engineering notation ("times 10 to the power"): Very large or very small numbers may be input with "scientific notation," e.g., +3.56e-10, which is 3.56 times ten to the negative tenth power. However, 468 (or 468.0) is just as good as +4.68e+02 or +4.68E+02.
Constants and Conversion Factors
Be aware that using conversion factors and/or constants not identical with those used by the algorithm in
the computer may cause discrepancies (e.g., using pi = 3.14 instead of pi = 3.14159265358979324). In general, don’t use constants other than those given in the links in the help section online.
Number of Tries Allowed for Web Submission
You will be told immediately whether your answer is correct or not. If your answer is incorrect, you are provided additional opportunities (multiple tries) to get the correct answer, as follows:
a) Multiple-choice questions: You are allowed n – 1 tries, where n = "number of choices."
b) Numeric questions: On "numeric" questions (you input the number itself), you are allowed seven tries.
Randomization
All students have the same generic question; however, each student has different parameters and hence different answers. The order of the choices is scrambled from version to version.
Online Homework Scoring
a) Multiple-choice questions
A randomly guessing student should, on average, receive the same score as a student who does not answer. Our multiple-choice scoring scheme corrects for random guessing by giving negative scores for incorrect answers. (The SAT does this also.) This scheme makes haphazard guessing a waste of time, which will not improve (or help) your score over the long run.
If you are not sure of the correct answer, but you can eliminate one or more of the choices as wrong, you increase your chances of selecting the correct answer. Statistically, it is to your advantage to answer such a question.
Question with 10 tries / Question with 6 tries / Question with 3 triesTry / Correct / Incorrect / Try / Correct / Incorrect / Try / Correct / Incorrect
1 / +10 / -1.11 / 1 / +10 / -2 / 1 / +10 / -5
2 / +7.78 / -2.22 / 2 / +6 / -4 / 2 / 0 / -10
3 / +5.56 / -3.33 / 3 / +2 / -6
4 / +3.33 / -4.44 / 4 / -2 / -8
5 / +1.11 / -5.56 / 5 / -6 / -10
6 / -1.11 / -6.67
7 / -3.33 / -7.78
8 / -5.56 / -8.89
9 / -7.78 / -10
The table above illustrates how the neutral scoring scheme works for a +10.00 point question. The table is subdivided into three blocks, which represent the number of choices for a particular multiple choice question: Block 1 (10 choices); Block 2 (6); and Block 3 (3 choices). Each block includes three columns: Try represents the number of times a question is attempted; Correct represents the question score if answered correctly on this particular attempt; and Incorrect represents the question score if answered incorrectly on this and all previous attempts. For example, when you select the correct choice on the first try, you receive full credit; a score of +10.00. If your answer is incorrect (on a 10 option question), however, you are penalized and you receive a negative score of -1.11 (at least until you try again).
b) Numeric questions using web submission
For more than one try, the full credit score is multiplied by 0.93^(t – 1), where "t" is the number of tries you use and "^" means "raised to the power of."
By signing and returning this form you are agreeing you have read and understand everything in this six page handout—in particular, the following items:
1. What to do if your student needs help.
2. Materials needed for class every day.
3. Students will need access to a computer with Internet access for the duration of this class.
4. Homework is due and receives a grade at 8 p.m. on the date announced in class and on the UTexas website. Each due date will also be posted on the class wiki and announced via EdModo. If a date needs to be changed it will be announced in class and listed as an emergency message upon logging in to the UTexas website, in addition to being announced on the class wiki and via EdModo.
Please print the information below and return this page only to me by Friday, August 31, 2012.
Student Name:
Guidance Counselor:
Parent / Guardian Name:
Home phone:
Daytime phone:
Best time to contact:
E-mail:
Any other important information:
I have read this letter and understand what is expected of my child. I will do my best to help my child fulfill his or her responsibilities and keep up with his or her progress. If I have any questions or concerns or if I am unaware of my child’s progress, I will contact you through e-mail.
Print Student Name:
Student Signature:
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