thanks to everyone who filled out the scantron form a little over a week ago to let me know how this course is going for you. The majority of you participated in this EMAT (Electronic Mid-Quarter Analysis of Teaching) survey. I just got results back from the CTE of UCSC.
I am happy to say that the vast majority of students view this course positively. Please see the results summarized in the image below.
I am very happy that "respect, fairness, and communication" were rated extremely highly. Indeed, I would regard the course as a failure if I did not establish trust with you, no matter how the course is going in other aspects, and this is the reason why your trust makes me very happy.
On the other hand, it seems that I should spend more time introducing new concepts, doing examples, and picking relevant homework problems. Here, I have my own opinions, but also do respect what you think and will accordingly make some adjustments.
One thing that I am a little surprised by is the relatively low rating on the course reader (# 21). Possibly there has been some misunderstanding here (or not?), since usually a course reader means a separate booklet or something like it(?!). I meant to ask you about my lecture notes.
Another surprise is the time that you say you spend on this course. I am sorry to say this, but you have to spend more time... Minimum 15 hours per week seems to be the consensus in the physics department (that wouldn't be even half of what I spend! :>) Looking at how much time you spend on homework, I was under the impression that many of you spend close to that, but maybe I was mistaken...
Well, all in all, I am quite happy about your trustful responses. Now, we are well over half of this course. I'd say that Newton's laws, energy conservation, angular momentum conservation, and momentum conservation are the main conceptual framework of this course, and so I feel that in a way we are almost done. On the other hand, we do have several big concepts left (simple harmonic oscillator, collisions, gravity, statics). So, let us not slow down. I will change the way the course is going a little bit to reflect your opinions, so that your finish is easier. Also, feel free to make any constructive suggestions.
PS: Do not worry too much about midterm 2. If the results show that the majority of you struggled with this one, then I may come up with one or two "extra credit" problems for you to do at your own leisure. This may not be too much of a burden, since this week's homework is going to be very thin. However, I have not decided on anything yet, since I do not know how well you guys did on midterm 2, but I will keep you updated.
2 comments:
Yes, I was confused by question #21, regarding the "course reader", and therefore left the question blank. If I had understood that you meant the lecture notes I would have been able to give an informed answer. Sorry.
Hey Sam!
I am not sure how to leave a blog thing so I will just type it on here. Now that I got my test back, I'm a little worried about the whole passing thing that we talked about in class today. I got above average on the first test and below on the second so I guess the final really determines my grade...so with that said...what do you suggest we do to start studying for the final? It would be great if you gave us an overall review sheet(like you normally do) but maybe in two parts. One can be given to us now saying what we should already know and another could be given to us before the final and that could have the brand new stuff we are learning. I don't know if that is helpful but maybe it will work. I am not sure to what extent I should know as of today (as in reasonable problems to understand) and what I should be prepared for by the final. Thanks and your help is greatly appreciated.
-Patrick
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