Section 6 How Will I Succeed in This Class?
Keep up with content.
Attendance is not mandatory at either lectures or discussion sessions, but as you soon will realize, showing up to class will actually benefit you in several ways. You will learn from the content introduced in the class, as well as the activities planned during discussion sessions. In addition, there is a lot of material to cover, so please keep up with the class. Effective time management may be the skill relevant to this class that will give you the greatest long-term benefit. If there’s something you do not understand, please come to office hours of the instructional team. We are here to help you. Do not leave all the learning for the night before the exam. We will not be able to help you then.
Be respectful.
You can expect that as the instructor, I am concerned about the educational experience of each student in the class, respectful of individual differences, encouraging of creativity, reasonably open and accessible to discuss material and assignments, thorough in evaluating assignments, and rigorous yet supportive in maintaining high standards for performance.
As a student, you are expected to work individually and with others; to contribute to creating an atmosphere that is safe, valuing of one another, and open to diverse perspectives; and to show courtesy, civility, and respect for the instructional staff and your peers. Comments or postings that degrade or ridicule anyone, for whatever reason, are unacceptable.
Participate and engage.
Learning is not a spectator sport. You need to participate in class by communicating your understanding and testing others’ understanding with questions and dialogue. This course requires active participation, which is crucial to your success in this course and your career in computer science. The more you put into learning, the more you will get out of it. Active participation includes being prepared to discuss readings, assignments, and concepts, engaging yourself in the lectures and discussion activities, and putting your best effort in both formal and informal assignments.
Talk to us.
I always want to hear from you! At first, I may not have the opportunity to see you in person, but I do still want to get to know you. Ask me questions, introduce yourself, and do not be shy. This is a judgment-free zone.