Chem 201 Archive – Alan Shusterman

Month: September 2014

  • Quiz #1 Statistics etc

    69 students took Quiz #1 in-class last week and 59 students turned in take-home quizzes. Here are some statistics on how the class performed:

    • 40-50 points. 13 students scored in this range on the in-class quiz. After considering take-home results, this number rose to 23 students.
    • 30-39.5 points. 33 students scored in this range on the in-class quiz. After considering the take-home results, this number fell to 31 students (more students rose out of this group via the take-home than entered from below).
    • 20-29.5 points. 18 students scored in this range on the in-class quiz. After considering the take-home results, this number fell to just 12 students.
    • 10-19.5 points. 5 students scored in this range on the in-class quiz. After considering the take-home results, this number fell to just 3 students.

    As you can see, the take-home quiz appears to have given many students a boost (in fact, only 16 of 59 scored noticeably worse on the take-home quiz; see below). This data should strongly encourage anyone who wants to improve their understanding of the material (as well as their scores) to attempt the take-home quizzes.

    I also took a closer look at how students performed on the take-home and how this affected student scores. (more…)

  • Get ready for Quiz #1 (& Advice from 2013)

    As you prepare for our quiz later this week, keep two things in mind:

    1. There are lots of resources to help you: sample quiz (with answers) from 2013, practice problems online and in your book, online supplements that I have written, me, helpers in the DoJo.
    2. In order to benefit from these resources, you have to allow time for them to operate. Very few challenges can be turned around instantaneously. The “computer” that you call your brain is based on living, growing cells and the chemical reactions they undergo. You are not silicon-based.

    For some quick inspiration, check out Advice from 2013’s Chem 201 class (part 1). Also, make sure to acquaint yourself with the guidelines for taking in-class and take-home quizzes on our Exams page.

     

  • Buy, Register (and Bring) Your Clicker

    I received this message from Kristin Bott in CUS. She’s been gathering data about your clickers and she NEEDS YOUR HELP. Read on,

    Good afternoon, Chem 201!

    A high-five to the 30 of you who have currently registered your clickers. For the remaining near-40 of you, please do so soon! I need to do some data manipulation with that data before Alan can use clickers in class successfully.

    To register your clicker, fill out this form.

    Your clicker number is a six-digit code on the clicker (see form for examples), a mixture of numbers and letters OR just numbers.

    That form requires you to use your Reed credentials. If you are having problems accessing the form,

    1. open a NEW browser (if you’re working in Chrome, open Firefox, or Safari, or …)
    2. login at weblogin.reed.edu
    3. try to access the form again

    If that still doesn’t work, you can send me an email with:

    • Your full name (First Last)
    • Your Reed email handle (everything before @reed.edu)
    • Your lecture section
    • Your clicker number (six-character code on back of clicker)

    If you have any questions or significant confusions, let me know — kbott@reed.edu.

  • Week 1 in Chem 201

    Welcome back to Reed.

    The attached file contains information about the first week of Chem 201. Lab (p. 1) and lecture (p. 2). Please read this file right away.

    Note: lab will meet beginning tomorrow, Tu, Sept 2, but lecture will not.

    201 is a complicated course that includes multiple sections, books, clickers, online homework, safety and chemical disposal training, and a whole lot more. This email just scratches the surface of what you need to know and look at regarding the lab. If you would like to learn more about Chem 201, visit our course and lab manual web pages:

    https://blogs.reed.edu/chem201202/ (right here)
    http://blogs.reed.edu/chemistry201-202-lab-ref-manual/

    – Alan

    PS the course and lab manual web pages are still being modified (a lot) so bear with me for awhile