Frequently Asked Questions (in progress)
1. Why doesn't this course have more interaction with the instructor?
Physical geography is not a course that lends itself to online discussions. The instructor holds office hours each week (see instructor page) and welcomes students in-person to office hours and questions via email. This course is designed to allow independent students to complete a required science course at their own pace, which is why there is no mandatory online interaction.
2. "How often are assignments due?"
Per the schedule, completion of each module is due every other week by Friday at 11:59pm. For each module you will need to complete (1) the reading quiz, (2) all assignments embedded within the webpages, varies between 3-8 per module, and (3) the module exam. All pieces will be completed via bblearn.
3. "I just completed the Module 1 Exam and as I answered my last question, the pop-up closed me out. I just wasn't sure all my other answers went through or not. How can I check this?"
The Mastering Geography site keeps tabs of the scores on your assignments, quizzes and exams completed on the mastering portal. To access these grades, click on any one of the "Module" tabs and then click on the second "Pearson" logo on the menu that reads "Mastering Scores (for students)". We are working on integrating the gradebook from bblearn and the mastering website together.
4. "I am currently in the middle of the exam and just realized I submitted the wrong answer for question 13. Is there any way I can change my answer? It won't allow me to go back and do it in the actual exam."
Unfortunately, the way the exams are set up is that you are not allowed to return to the question once you answered. I know that is sort of frustrating, but it applies to everyone and is put in place to discourage cheating. Keep progressing with the exam and take your time.
5. "How do we know what chapters to read for the modules?"
The reading is all specified in the opening page to each module. For example, on module 1 see the end of the page:
http://uidahophysicalgeography.weebly.com/module-1.html It is recommended that you read all the required elements before starting the Module.
6. "I was taking the exam and was accidentally logged out before completing it. Help!"
Always remember to take the exam on a secure internet connection as this is your responsibility. If things happen beyond your control or by accident please email me ASAP. If I can confirm the status of your exam I can reset it and have you start from scratch.
7. "I can see my scores on the Pearson Mastering Geography site, but not on BbLearn. Why don't my scores show up on BbLearn?"
Pearson is still working on making the grades automatically transfer to BbLearn, but it doesn't work yet. Until then, the instructor must manually move grades from Pearson to BbLearn. This is an incredibly tedious process (we have to do it by hand, one student at a time), so it only occurs once per month. If you can see your grades on the Pearson grade book, the instructor can see them as well, and they will be transferred.
1. Why doesn't this course have more interaction with the instructor?
Physical geography is not a course that lends itself to online discussions. The instructor holds office hours each week (see instructor page) and welcomes students in-person to office hours and questions via email. This course is designed to allow independent students to complete a required science course at their own pace, which is why there is no mandatory online interaction.
2. "How often are assignments due?"
Per the schedule, completion of each module is due every other week by Friday at 11:59pm. For each module you will need to complete (1) the reading quiz, (2) all assignments embedded within the webpages, varies between 3-8 per module, and (3) the module exam. All pieces will be completed via bblearn.
3. "I just completed the Module 1 Exam and as I answered my last question, the pop-up closed me out. I just wasn't sure all my other answers went through or not. How can I check this?"
The Mastering Geography site keeps tabs of the scores on your assignments, quizzes and exams completed on the mastering portal. To access these grades, click on any one of the "Module" tabs and then click on the second "Pearson" logo on the menu that reads "Mastering Scores (for students)". We are working on integrating the gradebook from bblearn and the mastering website together.
4. "I am currently in the middle of the exam and just realized I submitted the wrong answer for question 13. Is there any way I can change my answer? It won't allow me to go back and do it in the actual exam."
Unfortunately, the way the exams are set up is that you are not allowed to return to the question once you answered. I know that is sort of frustrating, but it applies to everyone and is put in place to discourage cheating. Keep progressing with the exam and take your time.
5. "How do we know what chapters to read for the modules?"
The reading is all specified in the opening page to each module. For example, on module 1 see the end of the page:
http://uidahophysicalgeography.weebly.com/module-1.html It is recommended that you read all the required elements before starting the Module.
6. "I was taking the exam and was accidentally logged out before completing it. Help!"
Always remember to take the exam on a secure internet connection as this is your responsibility. If things happen beyond your control or by accident please email me ASAP. If I can confirm the status of your exam I can reset it and have you start from scratch.
7. "I can see my scores on the Pearson Mastering Geography site, but not on BbLearn. Why don't my scores show up on BbLearn?"
Pearson is still working on making the grades automatically transfer to BbLearn, but it doesn't work yet. Until then, the instructor must manually move grades from Pearson to BbLearn. This is an incredibly tedious process (we have to do it by hand, one student at a time), so it only occurs once per month. If you can see your grades on the Pearson grade book, the instructor can see them as well, and they will be transferred.