This class officially runs from January 26, 2020 - May 17, 2020. You can start as soon as I have you enrolled in the blackboard system which is typically a few weeks prior to the official start date.
Part 1 - Getting set up
Part 2 - Class Procedures
You should now be registered and have full access to the MATC blackboard entry point for this class. When you log on to blackboard, you will be asked for a student ID and password. Use the blackboard help feature if you are experiencing problems.
Once logged on, you will see an icon for this class somewhere on the screen. Please look over the appropriate syllabus carefully. If you look toward the bottom of the syllabus, you will find links to the on-line class material that you will have to read. Make sure you can access these pages! Also try to access the blackboard "Course Documents", "Assignments" and "Discussion Board" icons to ensure that you have access to "restricted" folders.
Make sure you can access your MATC email. You
address looks something like this: xxxxxxx@gmatc.matc.edu ...
procedures are given
here. . Please check your email often. Note: There is
even a
procedure that allows you to forward your
MATC email to another email account.
If I email you, it will be to your MATC mail account so it is very important that you have this set up properly.
Once set up, you should try sending yourself an email as a test.
Introduce yourself in the discussion board. You even get 5 bonus points for doing this.
Fill out this short survey. Please simply cut/paste these questions to your email program, fill out the answers, and send the results to me. (Filling this survey out is worth 5 bonus points). Soon after I get this list in place, I will be sending out more information. My email address is natsci225@gmail.com
Please put NatSci 225 Survey in the subject line for your email
Please enter your FIRST name:
Please enter your LAST name:
Please enter your MATC email address:
Please enter your preferred alternate email address (if any):
Please enter your phone number (including area code):
Please enter your section number (it usually takes the form similar to 800, 801, 900, or 901):
I have read the syllabus and understand it. - yes or no
I know how to send and receive email through my MATC account. - yes or no
Do you have access to a computer with internet access on which you have permission to load software? yes or no
Do you know where to find the on-line study guides / lecture notes?- yes or no
Are you aware of what is expected of you? That you must read the lecture notes, take practice quizzes and tests which cover the lecture notes, do two assignments, participate in the discussion board, and take a final exam? - yes or no
Are you aware there are due dates associated with each activity? Those due dates are listed in the "daily schedule", Due Dates folder, and in the same folder that you find the task. - yes or no
Are you aware that all quizzes, unit tests, and the final exam must be taken using a specific secure browser, known as the Respondus LockDown Browser? I have read the details here. yes or no
The final exam must be taken under the supervision of your instructor in an online "virtual classroom". There will be several times available for you to take the exam (based on your schedule), but you must verify your ID and the materials allowed as aids. Details will be provided about a month before the class ends. Do you understand this requirement? - yes or no
Are you aware that the Bennett book (for purchase) is only optional and not required for this class? - yes or no
Will you please try to remember to always put your full name on every email you send to your instructor? - yes or no
Will you please use your own words when posting answers to the discussion board (and list all your sources)? - yes or no
Are you aware that it is unethical to copy/paste answers from other sources without giving credit to the source? - yes or no
Are you aware that the best way to contact me is natsci225@gmail.com or you can call my cell phone and/or video conference (Skype or Google Hangout)? - yes or no
Do you have any special needs or learning disabilities I should be aware of? - yes or no
If yes, please specify:
Please type any special concerns you might have regarding this class:
Although I have taught Astronomy (225) for many, many years in the traditional classroom setting, I only taught this class online for a year before retiring in 2006. In my retirement I have been still teaching another class (NatSci 167) online so I am very familiar with Blackboard. I have been pressed back into action due to the sudden death of my predecessor, Bob Hackenberg, in 2014. My hope is that I will be able to help you learn the required material as well as any student taking the course in the traditional setting.
Teaching and learning on-line presents unique challenges. So much of my experience in teaching in a classroom setting (since 1976) has to be "re-tooled". I've taken several classes on-line and I find it quite a different experience from traditional classes. The biggest factor in on-line learning, I believe, is that the student has to be highly self motivated. You have to take the initiative and keep yourself on a rigorous schedule. You have the advantage of flexibility and the ability to learn when you are in the mood. What I feel you will miss are the several in-class demonstrations I use to drive home a point and my corny jokes (maybe you are better off without them).
I plan to run this class in a "self paced" manner. That is, you will not be required to take the tests at a precise time but within a generous range of dates that should extend from highly motivated "eager beaver" students to "last minute" students. Please check out the dates set in the "Due Dates" icon in blackboard.
Below is a list of suggested completion dates for the reading material:
The Spring/Fall semesters lasts 15 weeks
I've broken this class down into 5 units. Each unit should take about 3 weeks to complete. See the Due Dates icon in Blackboard for suggested dates you should be taking each unit test.
Test 1 The sky and coordinate systems, Ancient History of Astronomy
Test 2 Modern History of Astronomy, planetary motion and models, gravity
Test 3 Orbital properties of the moon, Laws of Physics, Tools of
Astronomers, Probes
Test 4 The Solar System
Test 5 Stars, Galaxies and the Evolution of the Universe
You have two choices how you choose to learn the material.
My web pages- During most of 2004, I took the initiative to
place all my lecture notes on-line. I did a major overhaul on these
notes in 2014 and now update the material as needed. These
handouts will contain some grammatical errors, links that may go bad, and even
look unprofessional compared to material offered by a publisher, but
they contain all the information you will need to do well in this class and
the best part ... they are FREE. You can even earn points
by pointing out any errors.
or
Buy the optional supplementary textbook (not required). This textbook is NOT cheap. Please only purchase this text if you find my (free) materials unsatisfactory.
Note: Please learn the Stellarium software early (free). Look for details in the Assignments folder.
Whether you decide to purchase the text or read my web pages, you will need to access my study guides as a starting point. Links can be found at the bottom of the syllabus as well as in blackboard's course documents folder.
Required Videos - NOVA - Origins
Each student must watch the NOVA miniseries - Origins. It consists of 4, one hour tapes (or DVD). Each video has a study guide associated with it. You can find details in the Assignments folder of blackboard. Each video is worth a maximum of 50 points. Therefore, this series is worth a total of 200 points.
Additional Activities
In addition, each student is required to earn an additional 100 points by learning the basic functions of ANY virtual sky (planetarium) program. I suggest you learn Stellarium unless you have already learned a different program. Look in the "Assignments" folder for details. It also will help reinforce many of the concepts you will be learning in this first unit.
Discussion Board
Each student is required to earn 100 points in the discussion board. Please look in the discussion board for complete details. Please pay close attention to the due dates because once I post the answers, I can not accept any late discussion.
Extra Credit Option:
You can earn 40 bonus points in this class by completing additional activities . See the Assignments icon section of blackboard for details