Reminders from 4/29/2016 TA & LA Training, for the week of May 2nd (Final Recitation, Surveys, and Make-up Lab)

Hello, Phys 131 TAs & LAs!

Here is the email that we promised you, recapping our Friday discussions about the final Recitation, Surveys, and the Make-up Lab.  Please remember to have all of your Lab scores (including the make-up lab) into ELMS by the end of the day on Thursday, May 5th.  I need this info so that I can renormalize the students' total lab scores.  Also, if you have any rubrics or notes you have made for teaching these recitations/labs that you would like to share, I'd be happy to add these to our growing data collection.

1) This week in lab/recitation: Protein Stability

Links: Protein Stability Task.pdf

(Please encourage the students to work collaboratively, using the whiteboards and markers. The recitation papers are on the printer table at the back of the room.)

(Break.... Pass back graded Lab 5.)

2) Make-up Lab: Ants and Slime Molds  (Date and Time TBD--I will send an email with this info by Sunday, 5/01)

Link: NEXUS Physics Labs, 2013-2014

The videos for this lab have all been loaded onto the "My Documents" folder of the computers.  The videos are also available on the NEXUS/Physics lab page linked above (listed as Physics 131 Make-up lab, halfway down the page, after Lab 5 and before Lab 6).

Remember that students should pick ONE of the scenarios (Ants or Slime Molds) and analyze that scenario both qualitatively and quantitatively.  Students have two hours to do the entire experiment and write their report.  (If 6 students are present, split them into two groups of 3.  If 4 or 5 students are present, have them work as a single group.)

If students make a presentation of their work to you (or to you and the other make-up lab group), then feel free to challenge them with questions and base the majority of your grade on this presentation (but still have them write the report and give it a cursory glance).  This lab report is scored out of 15 points and there is a column in ELMS for entering these grades.  Students also earn 3 participation points for this lab--put this in the MU Lab participation column.  Please bring the report to me in 1322 to scan and I will get it right back to you.

If you have questions, ask me.

3) Surveys (All sections)

It is best if students take these surveys in the lab/recitation room (rather than at home)--but if there is not enough time, then students should only complete the scantron/paper-based surveys (the other surveys are on-line and can be completed from somewhere else/at home).  The TinyURL is easier to type.  In case it isn't working (we have had trouble in the past), I have also included the direct link to the Qualtrics survey.  

Please say the following to the students before they begin any of the surveys:

"These surveys are for PARTICIPATION credit--each survey must be completed in order to earn credit for that survey.  Responses to these surveys will not be seen by professors or TAs until after the course grades have been assigned.  Only the research team will see students' names--all data will be anonymized before professors or TAs see the results.  These surveys should take about 60-90 minutes to complete.  Please provide honest, constructive feedback."

Here is the list of surveys: (do them in this order, please)

1) MEGS (on scantron)

2) MAX (on scantron)

3) NEXUS/Physics End-of-Course Survey (on-line)

Short url: http://tinyurl.com/Phys131-Spring2016-EOC-Survey

Long url: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/SE/?SID=SV_6W0WktHJgB3IWbP (in case the tinyurl isn't working) 

4) UMD Course Eval (on-line)

Scantron instructions to students: (You will need to say these out loud to the students, too.)

• These surveys are not graded for accuracy/correctness.   The participation points are earned simply for completing each survey.  But please try your best. 
• These question booklets must stay in the room.  Please do not make any marks on the question booklets (put all marks and answers on the scantron sheet).  You can use a calculator.  You can have scratch paper.
• Use a #2 pencil only.  If you do not have one, there are some in the lab room that you may borrow.  Please return the pencil when you are done.  
• On your scantron sheets, please write and bubble-in the requested information (as listed on the cover sheet of each question booklet).

Here are the details from Mark for the scantron surveys (MEGS and MAX):

TA Instructions

• At the back of the room, there will be boxes for the MEGS and MAX surveys and more boxes for completed Scantrons of each. There will also be pencils, piles of empty Scantrons, and blank paper for scratch work
• please distribute the MEGS first along with green Scantrons and blank scrap paper
• the MEGS survey is a 30-question math test, with two survey questions at the end. it says “MEGS” across the top. it goes with the green Scantrons
• remind students to fill in
• last and first name as it appears in ELMS
• Maryland UID in the “Identification Number” section
• section number in the special code, e.g. “0203”
• “1” or “2” in the vertical “grade or educ” box. “1” for 131 students, “2” for 132 students
• both bubble in and write in the above information
• also remind students that
• the surveys have changed slightly; students should read the questions carefully as they might have changed
• they should not write on the survey
• calculators are allowed on the MEGS
• the MEGS is untimed, but most students take 30 - 60 minutes
• when students complete the MEGS, have them turn the Scantron and test in to you
• look over the Scantrons as they come in to make sure the students filled out all the fields
• look over the surveys to make sure they weren't written on
• after collecting the MEGS, hand the student the MAX survey and a blue Scantron
• the MAX is a 35-question survey. it goes with the blue Scantrons
• the MAX is untimed, but most students take 15 - 25 minutes
• collect the MAX surveys from students and make sure the Scantrons are completely filled out, as with the MEGS
• turn all completed Scantrons facing the same way and put them in the box for completed Scantrons
• recycle any scratch work paper that has been used
• there is no time limit. Most students complete both scantron surveys in 45 - 75 minutes.
• I do not expect to run out of surveys, but in case that happens or if you simply notice the stack is running low, please email me at mark.d.eichenlaub@gmail.com
• Thank you for administering the surveys!

That should be everything for now. Please send me an email if you have questions, need clarification, or have thought of something I have missed!

Good luck!