Whoa! This is different….! What is meant by:
1. Intergration and introspection (journal entry)?
2. Weekly problem sets? What is Level 1 and Level 2?
4. When can I find Dr. B. to help me?
1. Intergration and introspection (journal entry)?
At the end of each topic area, you will be given a writing "prompt" —a question or an idea—that will serve as a focal point for you to write a one-page, single-spaced "discussion". The intent of this assignment is NOT for your writing ability to be graded. The intent is for you to internalize what you have learned by writing about it, by writing about your process of learning it. (The pedagogical term for this process is metacognition.) In that respect, it will be personal and very much like keeping a journal or a diary. And also like a journal or diary, there are no specific ideas to get right or wrong. For this assignment I want you to use "I". And you can throughout rules of grammar and proper paragraph construction, etc. My only writing request is that you strive, as much as you are consciously able, to express clearly your thoughts about the material in the chapter while you respond to the "prompt". What I will be looking for as I read these is honest personal reflection.
These pieces will be collected weekly, and after returning them, you should keep them in your Inorganic Binder.
2. Weekly problem sets? What is Level 1 and Level 2?
Every week, a few problems for practicing skills or to rtest knowledge will be assigned, either on the Web or as hardcopies. These will include questions similar to those exercises in your text for skill building (Level 1) as well as more challenging problems of my own creation or taken from elsewhere (Level 2). These problems sets will be collected and graded. Answers will be posted on the Web. Returned graded sets should be kept in your Inorganic binder. It is strongly recommended that you work the exercises at the end of the chapter in your text in preparation for these graded problems sets.
Level 1 problems will be straightforward tests of your understanding of the fundamental concepts.
Level 2 problems will involve more sophisticated analysis and thinking. These questions typically wil be of a "synthetic" nature, requiring the integration of several concpets.
Perfect scores on Level 1 problems will be equivalents to a grade of 3.3.
It seems that for many problems in life two brains are better than one. So may it be for you and Inorganic Chemistry. For this reason, you may consult with one or more people on the weekly problem sets. You must however, formulate and write out your own answers to be handed in. Level 1 problems should be done without consultation of your classmates because these aare to help you hone your skills. Of course you might benefit from doing the text problems for practice with a friend—not to mention it's go to be more fun!
Note that no group work will be allowed on the exams. Therefore, if you chose to work on the weekly sets with others, be sure you also develop an ability to independently solve problems and answer questions.
OFFICE HOURS - When can I find Dr. B. to help me?
Monday 10AM - 1PM ||| Tuesday after class 9:45-10:30 AM ||| by appointment ||| Look for me in either my office or my lab, room 276.