1. Tidbits of Possibly Relevant Advice
The First Day of Class or
Tidbits of Possibly Relevant Advice
Jeff Altig

3. Prepare to Do Something
Be Prepared for Class
and
Prepare to Do Something

4. Start Before the First Day of Class ?
Readings
Discussion Questions
Problem Set
Videos

5. What to do to Prepare? Have a Syllabus Prepared.
Have the First Homework Prepared.
Have the Grade Roster Prepared.
Have your Website Up and Running.
Have Canvas and Other Course Tools Established.
Have a Quiz or iClicker Problem Ready. (Students Purchase?)
Have Inverted Lectures Ready.
Have Copies of the First Lab.
Have Drawer Check-In Sheets.
Have Safety Sheets.

6. Grading Scales Percentage Based Grading Homework 25% of Grade
Homework must be formatted according to the class guidelines or it will not be graded.
Problem solutions must show all work required to arrive at the stated answer or no credit will be given for the problem.
Late Papers will be discounted: 25% for 1 day and 50% for 2 days.
Midterm Examinations 45% of Grade
  Exam Dates: June 20th, July 3rd, July 18th.
Make-up exams are given at the discretion of the instructor.
Final Examination 30% of Grade
  Exam Date: Aug 1st.
Two Hour Exam.
ACS General Chemistry Exam; cumulative year long exam.
Point Based Grading
Homework (200 pts)
Due dates for Sapling submissions will be posted periodically.
Otherwise, homework must be formatted according to the class guidelines or it will not be graded.
Problem solutions must show all work required to arrive at the stated answer or no credit will be given for the problem.
Late Papers will be discounted: 25% for 1 day and 50% for 2 days late.
Midterm Examinations (300 pts)
We will have 3 midterm exams; dates TBA
Make-up exams are given at the discretion of the instructor.
Final Examination (200 pts)
Two Hour Exam.
ACS General Chemistry Exam; cumulative year long exam.
Quizzes (100 pts)
Given periodically, at the discretion of the instructor.
Recitation (200 pts)
Discussion of HW problems and other issues.
An in-depth discussion of a particular problem.
Attendance (25 pts - extra credit)
Must attend a minimum of 85% of the class meeting times

7. Example PowerPoint
Otto Cycle
Nikolaus Otto

8. Inverted Classes
Example from CHEM 122 Laboratory

9. Know Your Classroom Know Where your Classroom is Located.
Does your Classroom have a Projector?
Do you have a Whiteboard or Chalkboard?
Do you need to bring Chalk or Dry-Erase Markers?
What Type of Seating is Available?
Is the Room iClicker Enabled?

10. Know Your Laboratory Know where the Lab is Located
Do you have Drawers to Check Into?
Projector, Chalkboard, Whiteboard, etc.?
Who is the Lab Manager?
Who is the Safety Officer for Your Dept.?
What are the Waste Disposal Procedures?

11. Safety – Safety – Safety - Safety
Safety Lecture, Video, etc.
Online Safety Manuals
Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories: Accident Prevention for College and University Students Vol. 1, 7th Ed.
Safety Goggles, Clothing, etc.
Safety Equipment (Fire Extinguisher, Eyewash Station, Safety Shower, Fume Hood, First Aid Kit, Fire Blanket.)
Who to Contact in an Emergency?

12. Safety Questions Before Lab
Pre-Lab Safety Questions
Do a short internet search for an NFPA 704 Fire Diamond for Acetone.
What is the Degree of Hazard for Acetone's flammability?
What does this rating mean?
Is Acetone considered a significant health hazard?
Do a short internet search for a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Ammonia.
What First Aid measures should be taken if someone inhales significant
Ammonia?

13. Some General Advice Lecture Laboratory
Do You Really Know the Material?
Have Adequate Notes.
May want to Practice your First Lecture.
Have You Actually Worked All the HW Questions
Do You Know About Online Homework Submission.
Laboratory
Read the Lab Handout!
Do You Understand the Purpose of the Lab?
Understand How to Perform the Lab.
Know Why Each Step is Performed.
May want to Perform the First Lab.

14. Electronic Devices Wandering The Problem of Reading!!!
Cell Phones
Headphones
Computers
Wandering
The Problem of Reading!!!
Late Paper Policy

15. The First Day

16. Arrive Early
Make Sure any equipment is ready. (Projector, Log On To Computer, etc.)
Set Up Demonstration Materials and Activities.
Chat a bit with Students before Class Starts.
Lock the Door when Class Starts???

17. Introduce Yourself Write Your Name on the Board!
State Your Name Clearly.
Identify Your Position within the University.
May want to Talk About Yourself (Do Not Recite Your Resume.)
How can Students Get In Touch with You? (Phone, Dept. Phone, , Office)

18. Go Over the Syllabus What Texts will have to be Purchased?
Lab: Notebook, Safety Goggles, etc.
How are Grades Awarded?
What is the Grading Scale?
Late Paper Policy? Make-up Exams?
Deadlines?

19. Discuss Other Resources Avail.
Office Hours.
Tutoring Center?
Office of Whatever It is Called These Days?
Reserve Material in the Library?

20. This is Generally a Good Point to Ask for Questions
Unspoken Questions
Should I be in this Class?
How Hard will this Class be?
Submit a Question or Introduction via ?

21. Call the Roster Go Through Each Name Clearly. or
Have Each Student Introduce Themselves.
Now is the Time to Start Learning your Student’s Names.
Photograph each Student with Name.

22. Again, Ask if There are Any Questions

23. Introduce the Class
What are the Major Questions that will be Addressed?
What Topics will be Covered?
How will Labs Fit Into a Lecture Course?

24. Now, Get Underway

25. Establish the Tenor for the Class
Lecture & Note-Taking?
Group Discussions?
Lab Activity?
It is Most Important to have Something to Do!
Involve the Students Immediately!