Dr. Sarah's 1010 Lab 2

Computer Designator

To satisfy the Math 1010 computer designator, we will effectively use programs that are widely available and that you are likely to use again in other classes. We have used Netscape and Internet Explorer as web browsers, and Microsoft Word as a word processor. Today we will use Microsoft Excel, which is useful for amortization tables, calculations and spreadsheets. Word and Excel are bundled together in the "Office" package that also includes Microsoft PowerPoint, a program for creating and viewing professional presentations that we will use later in the semester. All of these programs can be found on most computers. We will spend the rest of the semester learning about basic features, especially concentrating on web searching techniques.

Writing Designator

To satisfy the writing designator on MAT 1010, as mandated for any writing designated class, you will be assigned a significant amount of writing in this class. There will be four major writing assignments (Part 2 of Ben Franklin will be the first) and all of your lab grades will be based on how many questions you answered correctly and completely, and the clarity and depth of your writing and explanations, so take your time to think carefully and discuss the issues in your group before writing down an answer and be sure to write in complete sentences! You may always attach extra pages if you need more room for explanation. Even if there had not been a writing designator on MAT 1010, we still would have done some writing in this class, because explaining your ideas to others is an important part of mathematics and is also one of the best ways to improve your understanding of the material. The effort you expend in clearly explaining your work solidifies your learning. In particular, research has shown that writing and speaking trigger different areas of your brain. By writing something down - even when you think you already understand it - your learning is reinforced by involving other areas of your brain. In addition, when you are studying for tests or for the comprehensive final exam, you will find that your explanations will help you review and understand the material and will make for a much more useful study guide.

General Advice

Much of your success in this course depends on you carefully listening to and taking notes on what I say, carefully following directions, engaging the material, and practicing on your own. You can obtain a passing grade in this class by completing your work and missing no more than 8 credit hours of class. You should expect to work hard in this class, and put in the necessary time outside of class in order to complete homework and assignments on time, as I also work hard to help you succeed. To obtain an A in this class, you must demonstrate deep understanding of the material.

You should always expect to stay for the entire time that class (Tues/Thur) meets. If activities are finished early or you are waiting for us to come back together as a class, then you should use the time effectively to work on class homework or ask me questions (using your time effectively forms part of your participation grade).

Labs are designed to take 1 hour and 50 minutes, but everyone works at a different pace. You should expect to leave having completed the mathematics correctly (I try to check work and give you instant feedback as I make my way around the classroom since I want you to succeed.) Some people will work quickly enough to be able to answer all of the questions in lab itself. Other people will need to spend time outside of class completing questions. If you finish all of the listed lab activities early then you may leave early or spend the remaining lab time working on class materials.

Part 1 - Ben Franklin Part 1

  • Take out the Review of lab 1 basics handout, which you received during the first lab.
  • Remind yourself how to get to the class web pages using NETSCAPE (for example, this is on the Review of lab 1 Basics handout, which is also available on the web as a link on the class highlights page).
  • From the main class web page, click on the class highlights link and then on the Ben Franklin Part 1 link. Recall that if something is underlined on a web page, then it is a link to click on, and that you can use the Back key to return to the page you just came from. Follow the directions on the lab. The completed lab is due Thursday at 5pm.

    Part 2 - WebCT

  • Logon to campus pipeline and then to WebCT.
  • Click on grades and tracking info. Click on grades. Take a look at how many credit hours of absences you have so far. Recall from the syllabus that there is a departmental attendance policy.
  • Click on the WebCT home link, and then click on the Bulletin Board link.
  • Read any NEW messages that you have. Recall that you are supposed to read them at least three times a week.
  • Click on the WebCT home link, and click on the Quizzes link.
  • Click on Quiz 1.
  • Click ok. Click ok at the amount of time remaining.
  • Save each question's answer. Notice that the red dots will turn into green stars (on the right side of WebCT) as you save each question. Be careful to follow the input directions for each questions since WebCT will mark your answer as incorrect if it is not in the correct format. Note that for multiple choice questions, boxes mean that more than one choice may be chosen.
  • When you are finished, click Finish.
  • Then click ok to Submit Quiz for Grading.
  • Then click on View Results.

    For Future Reference Notice that under quizzes, you can view your previous tries (and how they were graded) by clicking on them to the right of each quiz. In general, you will have up to 5 tries to get a perfect score. Quiz 1 retakes will be due next Monday and can be performed from any computer on or off campus with web access. Note that retakes are similar to the original quizzes, but there are usually differences (and numerous versions of the same question), so read the problems and answers carefully each time! Use your quiz retakes as a way to reinforce learning and prepare for tests. As you answer each question, ask yourself whether you could explain WHY answers are true or false and show the work necessary to obtain the correct answers on a test.

    Part 3 - Homework for Tuesday, Ben F Part 1 and Quiz 1 Retakes

    If time remains, then you should work on the homework for tomorrow (see the main class web page for the assignment), work on finishing questions 5 and 6 on the Ben Franklin part 1 lab, and work on quiz 1 retakes. You may also ask me any questions you have about anything in this course as I make my way around the room. For example, I know that some of you have questions on the homework that was just returned today.