Parts of Class

I use the term “lecture” to refer to the regularly scheduled class meetings, even though they will not be entirely lectures.

1. Attendance (in person) at the regularly scheduled class meetings is required.
2. Please inform the course staff if you will miss class.
3. If you are sick, or even potentially sick, it may be best if you do not come to class. Contact the instructor.
4. Students are responsible for the material in the class meetings (lectures and other activities)
5. If you miss a class, you miss the class - there may not be a way to make up the material.
6. The slides are designed to be used as part of the lecture presentation - they may not make sense without watching the lecture. In particular, a lot of the slide content will be drawn during the lecture.

What: interactive activities in class.
Why: to give a chance to try out the ideas, and make them more concrete.
When: during synchronous class periods
How: participate in class, and turn in what is asked for
Assessment: Using the Grading (Ungraded Grading Scale). Generally, if you make a reasonable attempt you will get a full score. We may try to acknowledge exceptional work.
Late Policy: Missing an ICE is not doing it. We may give you the opportunity to try it yourself, but you won’t get the full experience.
Drop Policy: We will ignore the lowest two scores (so if you miss two or fewer, we will not notice).

Each week there will be a list of required readings, as well as a list of supplemental (optional) readings. To get value from the class, you need to do (at least) the required readings. The readings for each week will be divided in two parts: introductory readings (that you need to look at by Tuesday, so you can refer to it in the initial discussion posting and have read it before class Wednesday) and follow up readings (that you need to look at by Friday, for the second discussion posting).

What: a set of materials for you to look at
Why (Learning Goal): this is a primary way to get the background material
When: during the week - the readings will specify whether they are best done before or after the lectures
How: materials are provided online, nothing to hand in
Assessment: indirect through other class activities
Late Policy: doing this on time is important for the discussions and class activities, but it is better to look at things late then not at all

The “Online Discussion” refers to a weekly online discussion about the topic of the week. It’s a bit of a terminology problem: there are other things that each involve “online discussion”, but only one “weekly Online Discussion.”

What: Weekly online discussions with a required initial posting and follow up discussion.
Why: The primary goal of these assignments are to get you to think about the material in the readings and lecture, by forcing you to answer questions and have a conversation about it with your classmates.
When: An initial posting is due on Wednesday, responding to the first prompt. The discussion will stay open until the following Friday so that you can discuss with your classmates.
How: The discussions will use the Canvas online discussion boards. The class will be divided into groups to make the discussions more manageable.
Assessment: we will grade on the Grading (Ungraded Grading Scale) for the initial posting, and consider your discussion postings as part of your Grading (Discussion Grading)
Late Policy: You will be penalized if you consistently contribute your postings late. Others need you to make your postings so that they can discuss! Turning in something late (up until the time that the discussion closes) is better than nothing, but is really unfair to the others who you are supposed to be discussing with.
Drop Policy: The lowest two scores will be dropped.

What: Find a visualization (usually on the web) and post a picture and answer the prompt each week. Each will make a specific request. You are encouraged, but not required, to comment on what other people upload. You are strongly encouraged to at least look at others postings.
Why: Looking at actual examples of visualization will help you connect the concepts of class to real usages. Collecting and looking at a diverse set of examples helps us appreciate the range of where the ideas apply.
When: There will be a seek and find due every week on Friday. The discussion boards will be left open for a week after the assignments are due to allow for discussion.
How: Visualizations will be posted to an online discussion forum on Canvas. Make sure to upload a picture and a link to where it can be found in context. Also, answer any questions in the prompt.
Assessment: we will grade on the Grading (Ungraded Grading Scale) for the initial posting, and consider your discussion postings as part of your Grading (Discussion Grading).
Late Policy: Late postings (of the initial visualization) are accepted, but may be penalized (e.g., if you are consistently very late).
Drop Policy: The lowest 2 scores will be dropped.

What: Weekly “surveys”
Why: It provides evidence that students are doing readings, provides a mechanism for submitting work for class activities, and provides an opportunity for self-reflection on the material.
When: At the end of each week (due ).
How: An online quiz *survey) in Canvas
Assessment: Grading (Ungraded Grading Scale), although most will be N/C
Late Policy: While they are due on Friday, we will accept late responses over the weekend. Drop Policy: Drop 2 applies.

What: Occassional (irregular) asssignment handins and surveys
Why: We may need to collect things or check that students are prepared for class When: One or more times per week. We may have surveys at the end of the week or before class periods.
How: An online assignment or quiz in Canvas, or using an online form
Assessment: Grading (Ungraded Grading Scale), and some assignments might provide an opportunity to contribute to Grading (Discussion Grading) Late Policy: Pre-class surveys have a hard deadline of the night before class. Other deadlines may be more flexible.
Drop Policy: Drop 2 applies, possibly with extra leniency

What: Mini-projects and other assignments, described on separate web pages
Why: To give students a chance to try out what they’ve learned, to internalize concepts by creating things, and to practice class skills
When: dates will be posted in advance
How: All handins will be done using Canvas.
Assessment: Each design challenge will be given a letter grade. The grade will mainly be based on the quality of the final product, but may also consider other parts.
Late Policy: Late assignments will be accepted until the time when we begin to grade or send assignments out for peer review. Late assignments may be penalized.
Drop policy: Students must complete all design challenges.