General new stuff

 For students who are absent from a laboratory session in general suggest to them to attend another class and everyone should be open to the possibilty that a student might try to do a "make-up" lab in your class. On the other hand I am having a supplemental laboratory exercise manual printed and and copies will be available in the prep room. Look it over when you get a chance and possibly suggest some of these exercises for a make-up.

The NEW Observing POLICY: The observatory was succesfully open once per month in the spring and summer. The observatory schedule for the fall is posted on the supernova website. It would be very helpful if instructors participated in at least one observing night, or solar observing if it takes place, to lend assistants. I certainly would be grateful. Make the observation policy (which is also state on the web) just two observings (another change!) since in the fall planets are minimal I schedulced deep sky nights.

Supernova7 study aids: I remind you that a new section STUDENT RESOURCES in the Left Menu on the main page of supernova7 will have the SEEDS chapter by chapter powerpoint presentation for for review and practice tests with answers. This has been found to reinforce the material strongly especially before a test. As well as links to observing and additional help material. How to study astronomy ,write a term paper and links to the publishers helpful websites are also in the resource section. I suggest you inform your students about all these study aids!

Tired of cheaters and copied lab reports:A successful model I experimented with is to collect and grade preparations and from time to time give an open sheet quiz (5-6 questions) on the preparation at the beginning of the class. Others have succesfully experimented with a quiz at the end of a class (talk to Kevin Lane) about this. The grade model I used which seem to give a "just" grade was

grade average = 60% (midterm +final) + 25% graded exercises+15% prepartion assignments and quizes- excess abscences etc

PREPARING POWER POINT LECTURES and NEW COMPUTERS: PERMANENT PROJECTORS are SET UP IN THE LECTURE ROOMS OF 4N. WE WILL KEEP THE PORTABLE SYSTEMS INTACT (SANS PROJECTORS) for backup! The computer systems  is of recent vintage has suggest power point lecture.

OBSERVING, Term Paper and two MUSEUM trips: Except for requiring two observings all of the latter are extra credit. I remind you that the back of the laboratory manual contains observing report forms and details for two possible trips to the Musuem of Natural History and what is expected for a term paper. I suggest you give no more than 8-10 points (very generous) on a students final average via extra credit.

Student evaluations VERY IMPORTANT: THE ANONYMOUS STUDENT EVALUATIONS ARE IN HELEN'S OFFICE AND I RECOMMEND THAT YOU LOOK AT THE COMMENTS MADE ON THESE FORMS TO HELP GET A SENSE IF ANY PROBLEMS NEED ADDRESSING. THE DEPARTMENT AND MYSELF DO LOOK AT THESE AND GIVE THEM SOME WEIGHT IN OUR DELIBERATIONS ON YOUR EMPLOYMENT AND WHO TEACHES WHAT!. Helen announces regularly via mail when she gets the previous semesters result in. (These are not the numerical evaluations you get in the mail but the actual forms filled in by your students in the previous semester).

ALL THE RULES YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CSI ASTRONOMY and were afraid to askI!

If you have been assigned 6 or more hours as an adjunct you must tell Helen when you will be in for 1 additional hour for professional advising (office hour won in last contract that you will get paid for).

A new thought on Grade inflation. One does not have to GIVE ALL A'S AND B'S since we should BE FAIR TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO WORK HARD FOR YOUR COURSE. On the other hand since we are educating non-science students and this may be their only encounter with a real science course I think for the good of science we should be merciful in the final analysis. IF A STUDENT IS SIGNIFICANTLY FAILING THEN I RECOMMEND ENCOURAGING THEM TO DROP. "A" grades should be reserved only for the truly deserving .

"A one or two page crib sheet can be permitted on all lecture exams is ok with me.

Laboratory mid-term and final may be open-book!"

Available are "Seeds" notes on "How to Study Astronomy" as well as, "How to write a Paper"!

If you cannot make it to a class please call Helen (982 2825) and we will try to have your class covered.

Please make an attempt to cover the majority of a syllabus and do not waste class time on too much material not related to the course (some stories and anecdotes of course can be very appropriate).

General Messages

1. SKY AND TELESCOPE is available monthly in the laboratory and should be given to all students. Giving extra-credit to a student who writes a summary of a major article is one way of using the magazine effectively. Let me know if you have other idea’s on this.

3. The observatory homepage (ALL SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FROM HERE SEE BELOW) is now installed and accessible in the laboratory.  Again let me know if you develop idea's on how to use this astronomical gateway for laboratory work. The address is supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu PLEASE let me know of problems!

4 .LABORATORY SOFTWARE is setup for your use in the adjunct office 1N-222

5. LABORATORY SOFTWARE is also available from http://www.gettysburg.edu/academics/physics/clea/CLEAhome.html

OR You can reach this site via our observatory site under "Student and Instructors Laboratory Resources" submenu.

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6. General items you may need (Most items, Helen, the chairperson’s secretary can get you but please contact me if you need help)

A. RECENT Course Outlines for Astronomy 100,101,102,103 for your use, as well as, for overall general information are kept in the file cabinet in 1N-225.

B. A copy of the laboratory Manual for laboratory teachers

Current Versions will be ready at the start of the term. These have the outlines in them (see below)

C. The Text bookS  for Astronomy CAN BE OBTAINED FROM HELEN if you did not receive it.

D. Sample examinations. I have these and would be glad to provide copies.

E: A note on Safety:

WARN Female students not to go unescorted to observing sessions for safety sake. Stress dressing warm for all ..they do not know how?? Remind students to see additional safety tips in observing session guide in the laboratory manual.

Additional Laboratory Guidelines

1. The laboratory Outline is in the Manual sold at the bookstore. We have a Solar System Manual and a Stellar & Galactic Manual for Ast 101 and Ast 103 respectively. Both are available in the Bookstore. Lecture teachers should alert students to pick these up immediately.

2. Scan-Tron forms...remind students to pick these up

3. The first laboratory exercises  will be available for you and will be be printed up for distribution AS PART OF A FIRST DAY PACKAGE I PREPARE. In addition this insures that there is something to do the first day since students most likely will not have the manual's on the starting day. Do not dismiss your class the first day.

4. Please show student during  exercises that require calculations, how to use the windows scientific calculator. Turn the computer on and a menu command accesses windows. The calculator is in the Astronomy group under windows and is easily 'clicked' on.

5. More Detailed laboratory instructions for the teacher and the technician are in APPENDIX of the printed manuals. IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR TECHNICIAN PLEASE ME  KNOW ABOUT THIS. THANKS

6. Students pay laboratory fees and a number of items called the Astronomy Kits are given to the students to keep. For examples, star finder, earth maps etc. Please see the laboratory manual instructions on this point.

7. Grading Policy. The laboratory Outline calls for a midterm and a final. Enforce this please.

Some suggested combinations prep 10to 20%, Graded Lab exercises 25 to 35% Mid term & Final at least 55% or without grading exercises 30% for prep assignements and 70% for remainer or

8. Open book test is recommended for the laboratory midterm and final.

NOTE: A TAKE HOME FINAL IS INAPPROPRIATE for a laboratory course.

9. The general practice in our introductory laboratories is to give a short introduction(15 TO 20 MINUTES IN MOST CASES) to each exercise. WHENEVER YOU ARE DOING A SOFTWARE DEPENDENT EXERCISE IT IS SUGGESTED YOU DEMONSTRATE THE SOFTWARE AS PART OF YOUR PRESENTATION. This will give the students a "heads-up" on what is coming and they will understand their goals a lot easier and even might enjoy the exercise.!

10. In any experiment involving possible safety problems, the instructor should carefully go over safety precautions with the class.

11. Students should either work alone or in groups of two. There should never be more than two in a group since this will automatically mean "spectator" students who will not do well on exams since they are just copying data. Tell students they have to take the midterm and final exams and are responsible when they work with a partner. This is especially true of the computer exercises.

14. Please read the laboratory manual carefully and if you find errors or have any new ideas please let me know.

15 . A copy of your grade book should be left with chairperson's secretary at the end of the semester.

IMPORTANT NOTE to New Adjunct Faculty

Before the semester begins it is necessary to report to the personnel office -1A204 to prove citizenship (2 forms of ID) or show your work authorization if you are not a citizen. Call Helen Marshak the chairperson's secretary if you need more information. 718- 982 - 2825

MAIL BOX, ROOM ASSIGNMENT AND SCANTRON ROOM

You are being given a mail box in 1N -225, please check it regularly for possible important communications. All adjuncts are assigned a room. Check with the chairperson's secretary for the room and keys if needed.

SCANTRON FORMS can be graded with the scantron graders placed in THE ADJUNCT room 1n-222. Some bent forms get stuck in the machines and have to be hand graded. Advise students not to "CHEW" on the forms.

If you have any general problems or specific questions feel free to call me.

I hope you have an enjoyable and productive term.

WHEW!