Expectations

In 30+ years of teaching, I’ve learned a few things about how to make a class work.  Here is a summary of my expectations — things that we can all do that help us all learn:

  1. Be considerate with technology:
    1. Educational research shows that using computers to take notes reduces student learning.
      • For details, see HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
      • You can find a guide to the Cornell Method of note-taking HERE and can download a PDF guide HERE.
      • Those with documented learning issues should see me.
    2. Unless you are a parent, please turn off all cell phones, pagers, text-messengers, etc.  Parents and others who have special responsibilities can put them on vibrate — but talk to me, so I know your situation.
  2. Come to class on time.  If you wake up late, it’s okay to come in your pajamas, eat your breakfast, or whatever.  Just be here, contributing and paying attention.
  3. Don’t leave before the end of class.   You don’t have to meet with other professors, register, answer phone calls, pee, etc. during class time.  This class is your first priority during scheduled class hours.  Please plan ahead.
  4. Policy on Late Work
    Work turned in late makes my life very difficult.  There are, however, occasions when you have to make a choice about what you do with your time.  In the interests of fairness and equality, you may turn in your work late. There will normally be consequences, however, as follows:

    • Work turned in up to 5 minutes after the beginning of class is “on time”.
      • You may give me late work personally, or you may give it to the SOAN Secretary in the SOAN Department Office.  If the latter, you must get it time-stamped. Otherwise I count it as ‘submitted’ when I pick it up — sometimes a few days later.
      • Don’t expect emailed work to be counted as ‘on time’.   I’m old enough to work best with paper copies.  Humor me.
      • You will, however, submit some assignments on the course Moodle site, in the Homework Dropbox folder.  See this site’s Assignments page for details to see which ones qualify.
    • Late work loses 1/3 grade for each 24 hour period after the time it is due.  E.g.:
      • Work that I receive less than 24 hours after it is due is marked down 1/3 grade.  (A “B” becomes a “B minus”.)
      • Work that I receive more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours after it is due is marked down 2/3 grade.  (A “B” becomes a “C plus”.)  Etc.
    • I make exceptions for parents and others who need special accommodations.  See me if this is the case.
  5. Policy on Academic Honesty
    • The University has an Academic Honesty Policy, which you can find in the latest University Catalog.  (Pp 17ff in the 2016-2018 version.)
      • The short version: Do your own work, cite your sources, don’t try to cut corners.
    • Details about how infractions are handled can be found at the University website.
  6. Commitment to Universal Learning:
    • I am committed to the principle of universal learning. This means that our classroom, our virtual spaces, our practices, and our interactions should be as inclusive as possible.  Mutual respect, civility, and the ability to listen and observe others carefully are crucial to universal learning.
    • Any student with particular needs should contact the University’s Academic Success Center at the start of the semester. Bring whatever paperwork they give you, so you and I can work out the details of any accommodations you may need for success in this course.