recitation policies and asking questions during recitations

[Robert Zellmer]

Here's a couple of points about recitation.  The first one
should already be instituted.  I'm instituting something new
to make it easier for the TAs and hopefully improve the review
periods and the short time before the quiz for asking questions.

1)  There should be a sign-in sheet at the TA's desk.  When you come
       in you must sign in using first name and last.# (Bob Zellmer.1).
       If you sign-in before the start of class you don't have to write
       arrival time.  If you are late you need to include what time you
       signed in.  Attendance is part of your recitation grade.  You get
       1 pt for attending on Tuesday.  That's not much. However, more
       importantly, if you fail to attend Tuesday recitation and the 10
       minutes prior to the quiz you do not get full credit on the quiz 
(your
       quiz score will be reduced by 20% - see the syllabus).

2)  Come prepared to ask questions and participate.  To that end
       I want you to e-mail your questions to your TA the day before
       prior to 6 PM.  This way the TA can look at the questions and
       prepare things covering your specific questions.  This will be
       particularly useful if they see several people with the same
       question (which is often the case) and will then prioritize that
       question.  That's why you should not be embarrassed to ask
       questions in recitation, lab or class.  Generally speaking, if one
       person asks a question there's several others with the same
       question who are too shy to ask.  Besides, I've had some really
       "interesting" questions over 25 years so I don't think I would be
       surprised by anything at this point.  This will be especially
       important for the 10 minute period before the quiz on Thursday.
       That's just enough time to get 2-3 questions answered before
       the quiz. Make them count.

       This doesn't mean if you haven't e-mailed a question the day
       before you can't ask it.  Of course you can.  However, doing
       this may make things go a little faster and you'll get more
       questions answered.

       This will help to get the most we possibly can out of the review
       portions of recitation.  I'm sure the TAs will appreciate it as 
well.

       Since it is almost 6 PM, for tomorrow feel free to e-mail something
       before too late today or in the morning before recitation. Try to 
send
       your e-mail a couple of hours before recitation so they have some 
time
       to look over your question.

Dr. Zellmer