Is there any material covered that isn't a part of the AP Exam?

We cover Special Relativity after the AP Exam, because SR isn't covered on the exam. That's about it. We have our hands full completing the AP syllabus and having time for review before the exam.

Is there a specific lab notebook you would like us to have? For instance the carbon paper one, versus the quad-ruled composition books.

No lab notebook is required.

Will we have group or individual projects?

Probably not. The AP Physics B curriculum is so broad that it takes all our time.

Will we have pop quizzes? And if so how often? Also, how often will we have quizzes in general?

No pop quizzes. Regular quizzes every chapter or two.

I realize that many of the software packages that we require may or may not run on Linux. I can run Wine (a Windows emulator for Linux), but it does not support all applications. I was wondering if I could do the following:

1. Work on a lab computer
2. Find an alternative version of the software that can run on Linux
3. Run a different, Linux-based program

You may of course use a lab computer. You may use any operating system for which you can find the necessary software. The bottom line is that you need to be able to view video clips using RealPlayer and QuickTime, run Java applications, view pdf files, submit documents in Word-compatible formats, and create Graphical Analysis files. You can probably get by without Logger Pro. When we use it for lab, we won't need more than one computer per 2 people.

Some of the instructions for assignments say that the assignment will be faxed to the instructor. Don't we just turn them in to the box outside of BR453?

You're right that hard copy assignments are turned in to the box. Whenever you see faxing instructions, keep in mind that these are for my non-NCSSM students.

Now that everyone has taken the Course Orientation Questions, what is the link for the objectives for each chapter?

See Ch. Reviews at the top of the Weekly Schedule page. On the Ch. Reviews page, click on Chapter Objectives. (By the way, this question counted extra credit.)

Will we have a list of reference equations that we can refer to during tests and quizzes?

Yep. The link to the equation page is on the Weekly Schedule.

I know that some classes at NCSSM (like Calculus) do not necessarily "teach the test" and simply teach the material so the students can decide whether or not to take the AP test. Others classes (like AP US History) prepare students particularly for the test. Does AP Physics concentrate more on the actual material or the test?

I'd say we concentrate on the material, but we do attempt to cover nearly everything that the AP exam covers. As it turns out, the exam covers so much, that we have to spend virtually all our time on that material. I figure that students take Web Physics instead of Physics with Advanced Topics, because they want a full introductory physics curriculum that will prepare them for the AP exam. Therefore, I teach with the expectation that all students will take the exam. That doesn't mean you have to take the exam. I'm just saying that the assumption underlying my teaching is that all students want to be prepared for the exam.

Which days and what times do physics tutorials occur?

Signs will be posted on the physics floor each week with days and times and what instructors will be covering tutorials. My day is always Thursday, 4:30-6:30 PM, but I alternate weeks with Mr. Milbourne. Of course, you can go to any physics teacher's tutorial.

Somewhere at my old school I remember hearing that the AP Physics B test was partially calculus based. I can't remember whether that was physics C, though. Will we need any calculus for the exam?

no calculus needed in AP B

Will notifications be mostly on moodle/courses.ncssm.edu or will they be sent mostly through email? We should be checking the site and email everyday, am I correct?

Sometimes I add notifications to the schedule page, but I usually send by email. I don't like to change the schedule page once it's posted. If I do change it, I highlight the change. And you're right that you should check every day.

What is the average amount of time we should spend doing a weeks worth of assignments(not including studying)? 5, 10, 15 hours??

The only figure I have (based on last year's students reporting) is an average of 10 hours for everything.

Are pens required for any portion of this course, or are all paper assignments pencil-friendly?

You should use pen for recording data. Otherwise, pencils are fine.

Will be using and needing to access moodle often in this class?

Primarily for discussion forums.

How will the lab books be set up and graded?

I grade lab reports individually rather than a gradebook as a whole. I provide rubrics showing what I expect and how points are distributed. You'll see in L01 that a rubric is provided.

I was wondering, what exactly is the difference between AP Physics B and C in terms of topics covered?

The B course provides comprehensive of all introductory physics topics. The C course covers two main areas: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism.

Do you recommend completing work ahead of time or are there some assignments that you would prefer to talk about in class first?

I don't do much talking in class. If the schedule is posted, you can work on the assignments as early as you wish.

Will we need carbonless lab notebooks for our labs in this class also?

nope

How long does it take for the check mark to show up in WebAssign showing you have completed an assignment?

I don't know, but I would think it's essentially immediate.

I was wondering if we could retake any tests and quizzes we proformed poorly on both as a class and individually.

Sometimes I provide those opportunities.

Will the grades be posted online?

Grades for most of your electronic assignments will be in WebAssign. You'll need to keep track of your grades for your paper assignments.

Will the Notebooks that we are required to have be checked for a grade?

No, but I will expect you to be able to produce them if I call you in for extra help or other appointment.

Should our computer be heavily reliant on an AC power source, are there outlets/power strips provided in class for us to use, and/or are we allowed to provide our own if not?

There should be an outlet box under each table. If there aren't enough, using one computer per two people is fine for many activities (such as labs).

What sort of extra credit opportunities will be available (if any) throughout the year?

Not many

Are we expected to have a composition notebook for labs in this class? And if so, are there any specifications for these notebooks (graph paper, college ruled, etc...)

no

Is the text online, and if so, how can we get into it?

Chapter summaries are online. See the Chapter Reviews link at the top of the Weekly Schedule page.

Are there any requirements about what the question has to be about? (and since I haven't seen any, can this count?)

The requirements were stated in my initial Moodle post.

Will the trimester exams cover material from earlier in the year? Will we have assignments reviewing previous subjects as we move closer to the AP exam?

The first trimester is the foundation for the rest of the year. Thus, you have to know the first trimester fundamentals in order to do well later in the year. We do have review assignments leading up to the AP exam.

Will we be penalized for different problem solving methods even though they may be logically correct?

You receive credit for displaying relevant, logical arguments even if you start from incorrect statements. I'm not sure, though, if that's what you meant. There are certain methods that I expect you to use, but there's not necessarily just one way to solve every problem. The methods I teach are intended to help you be successful.

How many chances does one have to submit the correct answer to online questions and assignments?

For free response, there's just one submission, because it's not possible to check a free response answer electronically and automatically give you another try to correct it. For problems asking for numerical answers only, I generally allow 3 tries.

Other than the textbook and website, does anyone know of any resources that would be helpful for learning the material in this class?

This is an open question to the class. I'd like to see what people have to say.

How often will we be working in groups for labs? Will we always have lab partners and will they be assigned? Can we keep the same lab partner for a long period such as for a whole trimester or will it always be changed?

Most of the time. Sometimes I assign partners and sometimes I let you pick. I'd rather you work with different people.

Do we usually meet only one day a week for labs? If so, are you comfortable with meeting with us between classes?

Yes to the first question. Of course to the second.

I have never taken a class online before and I was just posing the question to all of you experienced students; What's the hardest part about taking an online course? And would anyone like to schedule a weekly time to meet in the library with other physics students to discuss our learning?

Another open question. Like the previous one, I hope there will be responses from the class.

Will we be allowed to use Calculus in this class even though its Pre-Calculus based?

Sometimes

Typically, how will labs be specifically structured? Regarding prelabs (will every lab have one?), lab partners, lab reports, etc.

I always give you a goal, but sometimes you design your methods and sometimes I tell you what do do. Most labs have prelabs and partners but a few don't. All require some form of reporting, whether written or oral or a combination.

After we submit an assignment and it has been graded, how can we see our grade? Will we be able to monitor our average throughout the course?

I return paper assignments with comments and a numerical score. WebAssign assignments are recorded in the WebAssign gradebook that you can access online. (You will see only your own grades.)

If we decide to do additional practice problems at the back of each chapter, is there a solution manual we can use to check our answers or can we come to you (Mr. Winters) to make sure we are doing them correctly?

You're welcome to use the solution manual in my office.

Will the WebAssign work have the same deadlines as hard copy work?

The default deadline is 5:00 PM for hard copy or electronic assignments. I'm willing to consider a later deadline for electronic assignments if the class agrees to it.

Is the ratio between online and offline work about 50/50? I know this is an online course, but I think there seems to be a good amount to be learn from normal pen-and-paper labs/work/etc.

Hmm...in terms of credit value, I'd guess that 50/50 is about right.

If we do not have any prior knowledge of physics, what are some good resources to get introduced to it other than the textbook?

The internet is full of information (google hyperphysics, physics classroom)...library...teachers...students who have taken physics...

Will there ever be an occasion where we get an email notification or assignment with minimal time (like an hour) to respond or react?

nope

How is grading distributed in this course? (ex: tests, quizzes, homework)

See the Evaluation link on the Weekly Schedule.

Is a .docx (the Word 2007 extension) file acceptable?

probably. I say that because I had some problems with it last year, even when I used the file converter.  I use Word 2003. I'm willing to accept the docx format as long as I can transparently deal with compatibility issues.

Will we have homework over extended weekends?

That depends on you. I publish the Weekly Schedule well in advance. So you have the opportunity to plan ahead.