The grading policy is broken down into 4 areas, totalling 104 points (which will account for 100% of the grade):
Each area, as well as the overall grade, will be evaluated based on a sum of accumulated points on each projects out of a sum of total points on each project (as opposed to a sum of averages on each project). This totaling tends to favor those who consistently do work throughout the semester, and I want to reward that.
While the term 'percent' may be used, it is more appropriate to consider it a 'percent-oh-four', as the word 'percent' refers to PER each CENT (100). We are dealing not with 100s, but 104s.
Also: with the possible exception of the project component, any accumulated point excesses will be capped at the allocation per that grading unit.
Letter grades are pegged to the following numeric values:
Any calculated values in excess of two decimal places that may impact the result is at the sole evaluatory discretion of the instructor (for example, getting a 93.997; if you've been a pleasant, decent human being, I may do you a favor. Just sayin'). Application of any 'rounding' or other result processing is also at the sole discretion of the instructor.
Bonus points, if given/available, are applied to a particular grade component (for example, a project bonus point will only pad the projects component of the grade), and then only up to a maximum of that grade component's total value (ie, one cannot use bonus points to exceed the 13 possible overall points on the journal, or participation, for example).
In addition, some further constraints pertaining to bonus point eligibility:
NOTE: bonus projects or other items are not eligible for early submission bonuses.
Accomplishing the assigned tasks represents only part of the educational experience. A vital part of learning involve understanding and thinking. Writing is perhaps the best tool we have of capturing thought.
There are two main writing components you can undertake to gain credit for this component:
Projects constitute the portion of your grade involving activities you perform in the name of experiencing and demonstrating knowledge in this class- the means by which I will be assessing your understanding of the material through directed explorations of various topics. Such projects may be comprehensive to one another.
In some cases, depending on the situations involved, a project may be conducive for group-based collaboration. This is not the default case, but is specified on a case-by-case basis. In such scenarios, all involved group members should be identified prior to starting on the project. Additionally, ALL group members in a collaborative situation must perform fairly equivalent work output into the completion of the project. Deficient members may experience reduced success.
In accordance with the late policy, projects past their deadline will see a late penalty of 33% levied per day. This is to mitigate procrastination and encourage better time management, and also to ensure progress continues- once we hit the third day, a past due project is no longer worth any credit, so it behooves everyone to stay on top of assigned work and to complete it by its respective deadline. To clarify, if a project is due by the end of Wednesday, it would be 33% late Thursday (1 day late), 66% late Friday (2 days late), 100% late once it becomes Saturday (3+ days late).
As the semester starts wrapping up, the End of Course Experience (EoCE) will be released.
Intended as a sort of comprehensive project(s), its aim is to evaluate your knowledge gained from the class this semester. Unlike other classes which have a “Final Exam”, the EoCE is meant to be an EXPERIENCE, and as such celebrated across the land. If you're new to my classes, you'll see those with prior experience jump for joy at the thought of an EoCE (the twitching / convulsing is merely ecstatic joy that is difficult for the corporeal body to manifest).
Maintaining an ever present effort in your journey with respect to being present for class gatherings and making such effort known is an important aspect to academic interactions.
For class (no matter the setting), you are to show your effort through demonstrating regular interactive activity on lab46 and related resources (discord). Emphasis will be on communications taking place with the entire class (the class discord chat).
Participating in class interactions is also of significant importance. Participation is like the “I care” component of your grade. If you care enough to learn and help enhance the experience, you will have no trouble here. If you are disruptive or are not putting forth effort, however, then it will be duly reflected.
Each week, you have the ability to earn participation credit by performing various activities (for some amount of points per week, likely reflective of week and progression of semester). The particular wcp# projects will detail the specific attributes and points available (and needed) for a particular week.
I would encourage you to vary your participation activities from week to week.
There will be some method of collecting this data from you each week, be it a specific weekly project with submit-time questionnaire or script you run that will allow you to itemize your participation contributions for the week; failure to perform sanctioned activities and submit your participation contributions (if applicable) will result in points not being earned (you have to be proactive about your participation). You should also maintain a log of your specific participation activities in case I wish to follow up on the specifics of a particular participation claim (if you cannot substantiate your participation, any claimed credit may be voided).
If you anticipate missing a class, please notify me in advance. While you may still lose applicable participation credit, the advance notice will be taken into positive consideration.