Monday, February 11, 2008

• Here is how the class performed on the MC section of Exam 1:  (worth 75 points, graphing problem is 25 points)
  
  • Mean = 66% (compared to 56% last year)
    
  • High = 84%
    
  • Low = 40% (Random guessing = 28%)
    
  • Std. Dev. = 12%
    
• If you filled in your PID on the Scantron form, you should be able to access your MC score via the ONYEN or Student Central websites.
• Answers:  4, 4, 4, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4, 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 4, 3, 4, 2, 3
  • If you accidently filled in the wrong bubble on your answer sheet, and you wrote sufficient justification for the correct answer on your test papers, then write a note to this effect on the top of of the front page of your exam so that you can get credit for your explanation.
• Remember that this exam constitutes only 10% of your overall course grade, so you still have plenty of opportunities to make up for low performance if your score was lower than you desired.
• As an example, even though the last year's average score on the MC section of Exam 1 was 56%, over half the students earned a "B" or better for their final grade.
• Since the class average on this exam was lower than I expected, you have an opportunity to boost your grade and learn from your mistakes through Point Recovery:
• Provide written justification (preferably on your original test papers - use back sides or other paper as needed) to demonstrate that you understand each question you missed (or questions you happened to get right because you guessed correctly).
• Discuss your explanations with someone who understands at least as much physics as you do.  Have this person sign the following statement at the top of your test paper:  “I am convinced that [your name] fully understands the concepts and problem solutions for this exam.”  Signed ____________ .  Hopefully by discussing your answers with another person, you will better understand and remember the correct reasoning in case you are faced with a similar question on the final exam or later in life.
• Submit your original test papers with corrections by Monday, February 18 (one week from today), and assuming that your explanations are all correct, 10 points will be added to your exam score.
• Reflection:  What could you have done (and hopefully will do next time) to better prepare for this exam?
  

Assignments:

• Answer the recommended conceptual exercises and problems for Chapter 6, and check your understanding by looking at the answers in the back of the textbook.
• Begin thinking about topic ideas for your physics Web Project