Author: greg

Atmospheric chemistry researcher and university teacher. Data analysis/chemometrics specialist (PCA, PCR, Cluster analysis, SOM)

3 Weeks into the new semester…

… and here is the first post, which kind of summarises my work so far: Well, the good  news is that I managed to finish marking my exams in 2007 – so I could concentrate on the lectures that I teach this semester. The bad news is that this semester started on Jan 3 already, so not much of a break. I did find a couple of days, however, to relax and recharge my batteries. Concerning teaching, things are running a lot smoother. I have only 2 courses to teach and taught these already last year. So the framework of the lecture is set up and running quite smoothly. There are, however, a few things that I have changed, especially in my approach to help students learn a bit better (at least I hope that is going to be the case):

  •  I have initiated Strategic Learning Sessions, which are small group sessions with senior student leader held 3x/week. Problem solving and discussion of lecture topics make up these sessions. So far feedback was encouraging and attendance is growing.
  • I have added elements of peer instruction into my lectures in order to foster better understanding of the concepts taught. Feedback from students was positive and I will continue to add these exercises from time to time.

Lots of news on the research side of things as well – but these have to wait a little longer. 

Marking exams … (and some poster feedback)

… and slowly there is an end in sight. Lecture 1 is done; lecture 2 is partly done. Compiling the marks takes a while – with all sorts of exemptions, medical notes,… to be taken care of. So I take some “homework” with me into the Christmas break :-( 

On a related note – a former co-worker has presented 2 posters for me at this fall’s AGU meeting in San Francisco – I could not go, because of my teaching commitments. He got interesting feedback for me and quite a few new contacts, so I am looking forward to his report to work on the comments.

Lectures done for the term…

and I am a bit sad that things have come to an end for this fall. Exams are ahead and I will hold extended office hours for student questions. I have posted some more material for both courses I currently teach, including sets of problems to solve and sample final exams. I am a bit skeptical about sample finals – for the moment I continue to provide them, because students ask me. Although they provide the structure of the final (with regard to length and level of difficulty), they also provide a false sense of security, because the material covered in the sample final will not necessarily show up this way in the final (if even!). So doing well in the sample final does not mean that a student will be doing well on the final … anyway – I will monitor the situation closely 😉 before making a final decision!

A few updates

Now that all exam corrections are done I’ve finally had some time to update my blog software and bring some of the content up-to-date to reflect my new position at Concordia University. Downloads will be updated soon. With some breathing space ahead I will finish preparing my courses and get ready for the last assignments and final exams. The deadline for submission is not far ahead.

Marking is done!

Finally all the marks are out for the midterms and I can again focus on my lecture preparations (my stash of prepared stuff is almost used up – I am really looking forward to CHEM-218 next semester; everything is ready to go, because I taught this course before!). Students are coming in to check their results and discuss their exam. All types are there – those that just want a better mark and don’t care about how they did in detail and those sincerely interested in their errors!I am happy with results for Analytical III, most people did quite well and have a good idea about the course objectives and content. In Introductory Analytical Chemistry, results were less glorious – some students have a severe lack of fundamental general chemistry knowledge, which will require them to study hard for the final, if they would like to pass this course.

Midterms and oral reports

Midterm corrections are in full swing and finally I have to work weekends in order to get everything done in time. Not a pleasant thing to do given the gorgeous fall outside – mild temperatures and beautiful colours (it is Quebec after all!). Alas, marks have to be ready before the drop date (last day, when students can discontinue a course)! Additionally, oral reports for 3 lab experiments in Analytical Chemistry III have started and although I find these oral discussions extremely useful they are also taking up a good part of my time.

Midterm preparations

The first round of exams is not far away and I am busy preparing. In addition I gave a supplemental exam for CHEM-218 (Analytical Chemistry II) for students, who took the course back in the Winter term. The first assignments are done too and grading was nor too difficult, nor too long. That gives me hope that I will finish grading for the midterms in due time. 

Departmental and graduate student seminars are a welcome break from the routine – I get a good overview what kind of research  is done in the department and new input from external speakers. After all I keep on doing research.