class rules (Geology 101, Donovan)
I don't have many rules, but in a class of 235, we do need some!
#1: ELIMINATE AMBIENT NOISE: Big classes are a pain this way -- if all students are going to be able to hear what I say, I can't have competition for airspace. That means personal conversations, whispering, loud iPods, mumbling, singing to yourself, etc. are permitted only outside the class. I don't mind if individuals talk, but do it outside -- then come back when you are done. Its not fair to the other students to do it in class. If someone next to you is making ambient noise -- tell them to stop violating rule #1!
#2: MY SPACE BEFORE CLASS Before class, I am preparing materials, getting the computer set up, and preparing myself to focus on the lecture to come. I'm not anti-social, but its a bad time to ask me about anything!! Save it till AFTER class, when I'll be happy to spend as much time as you like talking about anything. If you approach me before class, I will quite likely cut you off with a "see me after class" -- I'm not being mean, I'm just protecting MY SPACE BEFORE CLASS.
#3: READ THE SYLLABUS FIRST before asking me something, in person or by email. On the first day of class, I'll pass out a hard copy of this syllabus, all of which is also "on line" in the class home page on Ecampus. Either in hard copy or on line, 80% of questions I get from students are answered in detail in the syllabus and are routine. Therefore, if you ask me a question and it is one of these "standard" ones, I'll quickly respond "read the syllabus". If I get an email from you with such a question, I'll reply/return your question and the subject will be "SYLLABUS". Again, I'm not being mean; I just don't have time to repeat the syllabus to 100+ students individually. So don't take it the wrong way -- just do what they best students will be doing carefully after the first class -- READ THE SYLLABUS FIRST (and carefully). It has
if you tell me you have already read the syllabus and want clarification of specific items, then tell me which parts you don't understand and I'll help
#4: QUESTIONS ARE OK If you have a question, stop me and ask. 95% of the time, I won't put you off and welcome it. If I do put you off, it is generally because (a) it is covered by #2 or #3 rules above, or (b) we will be getting there soon, or (c) it is beyond the scope of what students need to know, and I'll be happy to discuss it with you outside of class.
#5 WORKING TOGETHER IS OK -- CHEATING IS NOT! I really encourage students to work together in prepping for class and tests. Study groups are fun and a real source of energy and discipline. Sharing in these sessions is a really powerful tool. However -- taking answers from other students during tests is NOT sharing, its cheating -- with or without their consent. Giving answers to other students is cheating. Handing in materials you did on behalf of other students (present or not) is cheating. Cheating is about the same as giving a degree to someone who didn't earn it -- it ain't right. Its not fair to others and its not fair to your university. If anyone sees someone cheating on an exam, you are empowered to tell them to stop (and you're doing them a favor). If they don't, tell me instead.
The other thing about cheating on exams is, it doesn't work. Each exam will have about 20 questions. There will be well over 100 different questions from which these are drawn. On average, each student will probably only have 3-4 questions that are the same as the student next to him.Answers will be scrambled and switched between versions. The odds against cheating doing any good are extremely high. It is much easier to be a good student than to be a successful cheat.
#6 EXAM RULES see rules for computer exams here
STUDENT CODE is in effect during all quizzes and exams. The code applies to all students and is clearly stated in the 2008-2009 edition of the Mountie. Please read this. Exam plagiarism will result in confiscation of exam/quiz for all students involved (both those taking and receiving information) and is grounds for an unforgivable F in the class. Submitting work/handing in exams or quizzes on behalf of others not present is a very clear student code violation and is grounds for an unforgivable F in the class. Do your own work -- not only because it is the right thing to do, but hey students who do their own work will invariably do better.