Let's Get Down to Business...

Extra-Credit and Makeup Policies: A Little Clarification

A frequently-asked question is, "Can extra-credit points be earned?"

The answer is No and Yes. 

There are no extra-credit opportunities for individual students.  No points will be awarded for work outside the course's scope. 

There is, however, an opportunity for the Teams to earn extra-credit points by entering the "Elevator Pitch" competition during the Tenth Week.  To learn more, check out the "Elevator Pitch/Extra-Credit Championships" category.

Another question that may be asked even more frequently is, "Can I make up a quiz or examination that I missed?"

The answer is Probably Not. 

The general rule is the Course's schedule will be strictly enforced.  Exceptions may be granted but only for documented circumstances beyond the student's control that prevented the student from being present for the quiz or examination. 

Note that exceptions are just that - exceptions.  In most instances, you won't get a chance to make up a missed quiz or examination.  You may - there's no guaranty - get to make up a quiz or examination if (1) you were absent for a reason that you couldn't anticipate or control and (2) the circumstances that caused the absence are satisfactorily documented.  An example might be hospitalization.  In such a situation, you would be required to produce written proof that you were, in fact, hospitalized.  

Feedback - Give it early and often

It's important that we communicate with one another about how you're doing in the course.  All too often, evaluations come at the end of a course when it's too late to make mid-course corrections.

How about doing things different and maybe better?

Here's a link to a Confidential Survey where you can give me some feedback on what's working or not working for you:  Click to Give Feedback

Your feedback is confidential.  I'm the only one who will see it.  Access to your feedback is password protected.

Your feedback can also be anonymous if you want.  If you want me to contact you, or know who you are, leave your name and how to contact you.  Otherwise, your feedback will be anonymous if you want it to be.

Let me know early and often how things are going.  Thanks for your help.

When the Instructor waves his arms...

Here are some ideas on how to know what's important and, even better, how to recall them at the right time (that would be for a quiz or exam).

Note-taking Strategies

How do you know what's the important material that you should take notes on?  You may be taking great notes, but they won't be useful if you're not writing down the right things.

The University of Connecticut gives their students a very helpful hint:  "If the instructor is talking loudly and waving his arms, you'd better write that down."

Instructors usually will do something to alert you that something is important.  There might be little "red keys" in their Power-Point presentations or they'll be waving their arms.  Look and listen for those cues.  Kick it up a notch when you see or hear them.