Don’t forget about the survey

Please don’t forget to take the survey!! The details are here
-Dr. Metzker

Class Notes: Scientific Method, Take 1

In class we discussed the scientific method. Each group devised their own version of a scientific method and we combined them to get the following:

Observe
Designing Question -
Narrow Focus
Research – What has been done
Hypothesis – based on prior knowledge
Design/Method
controls
Experiment – Collect Data (not always new data)
Record
Organize
Compare Results to Hypotheses (prove or disprove)
Identify errors (experiment design, problems with prevailing theory)
Conclusion
Expand – what works/what doesn’t
Publish

Your tasks:

1. Be prepared to briefly pitch your idea for a semester project to the class on Thursday. I will need a one page overview of your idea. Specifically, what do you propose to investigate? How do you propose to investigate it? and What do you think you will produce at the end?
2. Read the articles I gave you for next Tuesday’s class and think about how you would change the scientific method we devised in class to adress the issues in those articles
3. Think about a creative way to represent this scientific method visually. In particular, I want a visual diagram that demonstrates how some of these steps are interconnected.
4. Start thinking about a scientist you would like to research …or an area of science you are interested in (we can always find you a scientist).
5. Start paying attention to science in the news. When you hear something interesting, jott it down or cut out the article. Starting next week, we will have a weekly roundtable of interesting “science in the news” pieces.

Question about Fridays

I’m putting this on the blog because I figured it was something everyone would want to know.  I’d kinda like to know which Fridays we will be having Lab, and which we won’t.  You see, I only have one other class that day, in the morning, so if we don’t have lab that day, my mom can pick me up for the weekend with fewer hassles.  For now, it would be fine just to know if we’ll be having it this Friday.  Gracias.

Nick Mains’ Life Story

Not really. Just a little introduction. My name is Nick and I’m a sophomore continuing here for the second year. I live in Bell Hall, room 313 with my friend turned roommate, Andrew.

I’m originally from Snelleville, Georgia but I moved to McDonough when I was relatively young and I’ve been living there since, aside form being in Milledgeville.

My major is called Management Information Systems, and while I’m not really sure what that means exactly, I’m working towards being a Web Designer / Graphic Designer… basically, I want to use computers to vent my creativity.

I’m taking this class because it is an Honors class, and usually they are a cut above normal classes, so I assume that I will gain more than usual. I also believe Global Warming is something that it’s important to be informed about. I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the class.

And, uh, that’s that. Ciao.

Class Notes 22 Aug 08

Here are the notes from class yesterday ….
juliametzker-22aug08

Names in Sidebar ⇒⇒⇒

You’ll notice that the sidebar lists all the usernames of students in this class under “Course Participants”. In order to help me learn your names, I’d like to have you listed by your actual name not your username. To do this, I need you each to make a change in your profile. Go to My Account -> Edit Profile. About halfway down the page you will see a setting called “Display name publicly as”. Please change this to reflect your real name.

Thanks,
Dr. Metzker

Survey

The survey I promised is now available. Please answer these questions honestly. Details for accessing the survey follow. Please remember your login details because you will need them at the end of the semester

To help assess your learning gains from this course, your instructor
has created an online instrument for you to complete. Please follow
the instructions below to complete this instrument:

• Go to http://salgsite.org/student
• Fill in your email address and create a password for yourself
• Enter the instrument number: 3326
• Provide the instrument password: gcsu

Your responses to this instrument are confidential. Your instructor
will be able to tell whether you have responded, but will not be
able to tell which answers are yours.

Hello from Lindsey G.

I hope I’m doing this correctly! I’ve never taken a class that involved blogging. I’m basically a Senior this year even though they keep trying to call me a Junior, and as I mentioned in class I am majoring in Psychology. I’m just starting to look at Grad Schools, but I think I’ll probably end up at UGA in their counseling program. I know a lot of you guys are freshmen, so I’d like to take this chance to promote GCSU’s study abroad programs. I spent last semester in Newcastle, England and had one of the most life-changing experiences ever, so I’d definitely recommend that you guys go by the international office and take a look at all the countries available. Honestly exchange rates are terrible right now, but when else in your life will you have time to spend up to a year in a foreign country just for fun??

Anyway, any class that takes place in Herty really scares me. I’ve managed to avoid this building for 2 years. I am really hoping this class goes well! So far it seems like it will be really interesting.

Hello

Hi, my name is Rachael and I am an Undeclared Freshman.  I’m really looking forward to this class. Global Warming has been such a hot topic issue recently that I feel the need to become informed. i hope this class will fulfill that need…and make me a better “Global Citizen.”

Introduction.

Hi. I’m Kathryn. I’m a sophomore English and philosophy major although I wish I wasn’t limited to just those two. I was born in the Philippines, went to a Chinese school there for fourteen years, and moved to Tampa, Florida after high school. I love traveling although I’ve only ever been around Asia and North America, learning languages. I also enjoy reading up on ancient civilizations, especially Ancient Greece, going to museums, and anything Playstation (2 and 3)-related. I plan to go to grad school but I’m still not sure which field I’ll study in. On campus, I’m mainly active in the International Club and Literary Guild.