The DE Proctoring version of Test #3 will be available Monday morning, Nov. 16 at 8 AM. This version is for students in Section 601 who will take the test at the DE Proctoring Service this week at your scheduled time. Students in Section 004 should ignore this test. The test for Section 604 students will be given Thursday evening at 6:30 as usual in HA G108.
The investigation cited in yesterday's post is nearing completion. The NCSU Computer Policy on sharing Unity IDs has been emphatically added to the WebAssign Info page at the class website. Any further instances of one student logging into WebAssign using the ID of another student will be treated as a violation of class policies and as a potential honor code violation by BOTH students. So stay away from risk by keeping your Unity ID confidential. In addition, when work is improperly accessed, both students involved will receive a zero grade on all work improperly accessed.
Discussing homework together is encouraged. Showing another student a printed version of your homework is okay. Showing another student a WebAssignment online is okay. Giving another student access to your account, however, is strictly prohibited.
An investigation into improper sharing of Unity IDs in this class is in progress. Some students have been logging into WebAssign using the ID and password of another student. This is a flagrant violation of university computer policies.
While discussion of the homework is permitted and even encouraged in this class, sharing of IDs and passwords to gain or give access to someone else's WebAssignments is strictly forbidden and will be treated as a violation of the honor code if further incidents occur. Be aware that WebAssign logs a complete record of all your logins and submissions, including information that allows us to pinpoint such irregular activities. So violation of this policy could place your academic career in jeopardy.
The next test will be here before you know it. For students in Section 005, the test is Thursday, November 19. Sstudents in Section 601 will be taking the test at DE Proctoring during the period November 16-20. Check the Test Info page at the class website for details. And remember that it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that all the work (including tests) gets done by the specified time. The end of the semester is only three and a half weeks away, so it's time to wrap up all your loose ends.
I'm still not feeling well enough to hold office hours today so I'm canceling them once again. To those of you who were hoping to see me today, I'm so sorry.
As I posted here yesterday, I've not been feeling well. I'm not better enough today to risk exposing any of you to whatever yucky thing I've got, so I'm forced to cancel office hours today. I promise to get lots of rest and I'll try to feel well enough tomorrow to have my Thursday hours - but watch the news feed if you plan to come visit me.
I've been very sick today and if I'm not much better by tomorrow I will be canceling my live office hours. However, I will be available to you as usual via "Ask Your Teacher" and email so if you have any questions please let me know.
On Sept. 25 I warned students in Section 601 that time was running out to schedule a time at DE Proctoring for the final exam. I just learned from the director of DE Proctoring that some students have still not scheduled a time for the 3rd test or the final exam. If you are in this group, your situation is perilous. Very few openings remain, and you run the risk of not being able to find an opening. Act now before it is too late. Very few slots remain.
The test is in place for DE students (Section 601). This test is named "MA 114 Test 2 (DE Proctoring)" and will appear among your current WebAssignments at 8 AM Monday morning. You will take the test at whatever time you have arranged with the DE Proctoring Service.
Students who are in Section 004 will take a different version of the test on Thursday evening in HA G108 at 6:30. If you are in Section 004, you should simply ignore the test named "MA 114 Test 2 (DE Proctoring)".
Test #2 is next week. Make sure you know when and where you will be taking the test. If you are in Section 601, make sure that you have a reservation at DE Proctoring.
The last day to drop the class without a grade is October 16. Keep this date in mind if you're finding yourself struggling or falling behind. Sections 4 and 5 are generally thought by students to be the most challenging part of the course. So it's time to buckle down and work hard if you've been coasting.
All test dates have been set, including the final exam. All students should check the dates on the Test Info Page. Students in Section 004 who take tests in Harrelson Hall should put the dates on your calendars NOW.
The following message to DE students is from John Pugh, the Director of the DE Proctoring Service. He emphasizes that NOW is the time to schedule any tests or exams this semester that have not yet been scheduled.
Here is the link to the Local Proctoring Page. This page has all the info you will need to schedule your exam, office hours, directions, and parking instructions. For security purposes, no appointments are made by phone message or email. Students must make all appointments in advance using the online appointment system.
http://distance.ncsu.edu/testing-services/local-testing.php
To schedule your exam, follow the link on the page entitled “Click here to schedule your appointment online.” You will be prompted to create a login name and password, and then you can use the system to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your exams from home. You are strongly encouraged to schedule all your exams, including your final exam, as early on as possible.
Parking
As a courtesy to students using the DELTA Testing Center, students may park in the lower level of the Venture Deck. The lower entrance is accessed from Varsity Drive. It is the second right as you drive down from Avent Ferry (just past the information booth.) The access code for the lower gate is 5000#. The pound button must be pressed for the gate to open.
For all students who have completed Test #1, the Grades link in WebAssign now displays an approximation to your current grade. The estimate is based 50% on your homework average and 50% on the result of Test #1. When you click on the grades link at the top of your list of current assignments, you'll get a grade report that looks something like the picture here.
The picture would represent data on a student who made 82 on Test #1 and who has an overall homework average of 97.73.
Altogether, 81 students have taken the test and the class average is 81.5. This is the worst class average for Test #1 that I've seen in many years. This is the easy test. If you are not satisfied with your test score for this test, that would suggest that you need to look for more effective study habits.
Because of WebAssign slowdowns during evening hours, I am moving the Thursday evening test time in HA G108 to 6:15. We have the room reserved at 6 PM, so arrive as soon after 6:00 as possible. We'll have a brief discussion about the test, and then hopefully most of you can be started on the test by 6:15 so you'll finish by 7:30.
Students taking the test at DE Proctoring or other locations are encouraged NOT to schedule your test during evening hours this week. Avoid evening hours to minimize the chances having your test affected by slow response from WebAssign.
WebAssign has released a statement this morning indicating that service is expected to return to normal within the next week. Slowdowns are expected to continue for several more days this week. Students in Section 601 who schedule your own tests should not schedule tests in the evening. (DE Proctoring offers limited evening hours anyway, so this shouldn't be an issue.) If we stick with daytime hours for the test, there's a good chance we can make it through the test without major problems.