Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 17:03:13 -0600 From: john butler Subject: Physical Geology OnLine - Fall, 2000 X-Sender: geos67@pop.uh.edu To: jbutler@UH.EDU Thanks for contacting me to get more information about GEOL 1330, Section 11378 - OnLine in Fall, 2000. I want to make sure that the focus is on geology and not on the technology -- You will need to demonstrate that you have the equipment and the ability to do things like read and send email, read and send attachments, use the Internet, listen to audio files, etc. First, I would like you to look at a page produced by a friend of mine who teaches a related course OnLine. Read through her suggestions about who should take an OnLine course. Even though the courses are different I think her comments are quite pertinent. http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/slaymaker/onlinecourse.htm Keep track of your responses. Are you the type of person who should take an OnLine course? Of course, the choice is yours. The course has an Internet Home Page at: http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/physical/physicalonline.html Although this version is for the spring semester, 2000 version, the version for fall 2000 will be quite similar. Look at the reading list. Look at the About This Course link. The gruesome details about points and expectations are things you need to be aware of before the course starts. Read the section Why Geology. Look at the homework exercises and the term project. Are you prepared to do this on your own? I am also teaching a face-to-face version in fall 2000. This course will be essentially identical in terms of assignments although they will have a different web page. Look at chapter 1. Near the top of the page is a link to the power point slides for chapter 1. These are the slides that the face-to-face class sees in during the lecture. Are you satisfied to read on the screen or will you have to print everything out? I firmly hold to due dates. About once a week there will be a "surprise quiz". You will have a week to respond. Examinations are held at UH and this will be discussed in more detail below. You will need to look at your email account every one or so. I will send all attachments as Rich Text Format text ..... rtf. An rtf document is attached to this message. Find it, read it, answer the questions and send me your document as an rtf attachment. IF you convince me that you can receive and send attachments and receive streaming audio (Real Player) then I will enroll you in the class. Once a week I will add qualified students to this section; after that VIP will have your registration and you may drop on your own. You must be prepared to spend several Saturday mornings on campus. 9 - Noon Saturday, August 19, 2000 Introduction 9 - Noon Saturday, September 16, 2000 Test 1 - Intro Part 2 9 - Noon Saturday, October 21, 2000 Test 2 - Intro Part 3 9 - Noon Saturday, December 2, 2000 Test 3 9 - 10 Saturday, December 9, 2000 Optional Final Exeryone will take tests 1, 2, and 3. All material is cumulative. Material covered on test 1 may reappear on tests 2 and 3, etc. After Test 3 I will post a grade distribution. You may take the final and your score will replace your lowest grade on the first three exams. If you miss one of the first three exams you must take the final. There are no makeup exams. Classes will be held in Room 315 SR I. Parking lot 14A (off Cullen, across from the football stadium) is open parking on Saturdays IF you do not park in a "reserved or named space". I think that some face-to-face interaction is essential. The first meeting will be an introduction to the course and to the subject matter. In the last three meetings you will have about 1 hour for the test and, following a short break, there will be a lecture which introduces you to the next segment of the course. Please look at the course pages and think about your willingness to work on your own much of the time and to commit to the Saturday exams and meetings.