Remote Format: Synchronous Mode of Instruction
- The mode of instruction for this class is remote synchronous.
- There are no face-to-face meetings for this class.
- Some activities (particularly exams) will happen during the scheduled class periods.
The mode of instruction for this class is remote synchronous.
Students are responsible for being available during the official class periods. There will be required in-class activities.
The class periods are 11am-12:15 Tuesday and Thursdays for the 14 weeks of the semester, and the 2 hour official final examination block assigned by the registrar (currently this is Monday, May 3, 2021, 2:45pm-4:45pm Madison (Central) time). If you cannot “attend” during these times, please do not take the class.
In practice, you do not need to “attend” the lectures synchronously, but you must be available to take exams and do other activities during the class time slots. This won’t be every class, but it will happen several times during the semester.
So,…
- If you want to take this class while living in a distant time zone, be prepared that some activities will require you to participate during day time in Madison.
- You should not take this class and another class scheduled in the same time slot.
- You should not take this class if you have job responsibilities that mean you will not be available for in-class exams.
Lectures: some of the lectures will be given synchronously - as live presentations via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Experience from prior classes is that many students prefer to “attend” these lectures. For example, live attendance provides the opportunity for interaction and a regular structure. However, we understand that some students prefer to watch the lectures asynchronously. Our intent is to make asynchronous viewing of the lectures possible. The course staff will make their best effort to make sure that all lectures are recorded, but there are no guarantees. Students are responsible for the material even if a recording is not available. For example, if there is a technical problem and a lecture is not recorded, students are still responsible for the material. (see Lectures for more detail).
We will track participation in synchronous class activities. This includes general attendance, responding to polls, participating in breakout discussions, etc. This will count towards the “participation” modifier on your grade (see Grading).
Exams and Tests: exams will be given during officially scheduled class time periods. We cannot provide alternate times. The exact dates are subject to change - but they will always be during a scheduled period.
All required class activities (exams, synchronous lectures) will happen during the scheduled periods. Optional activities, such as office hours and help sessions, will be held at other times.
If you want to take the class while living in another time zone… be aware that you will need to take the exams during the scheduled class times, and that we will not make exceptions for students who choose to take the class from a distant location. The optional class activities may be inconvenient for you.
If you have other responsibilities during the class periods (for example, you have a job or another class)… be aware that you will need to take the exams during the scheduled class times, and that we will not make exceptions for students who chose to take the class despite not being available during class time.
Exam Schedule
Class will have 3 mini-exams during class periods and 1 final exam. We will try not to change the dates of the exams. The time of the final exam is determined by the registrar’s office; the course staff has no control over it.
- Mini-Exam 1: during the class period (11am-12:15pm) on Thursday, February 25
- Mini-Exam 2: during the class period (11am-12:15pm) on Thursday, March 25
- Mini-Exam 3: during the class period (11am-12:15pm) on Thursday, April 22
- Final Exam: during the University assigned final exam period (Monday, May 3, 2021, 2:45pm-4:45pm Madison (Central) time)