EPSY 3264
Basic & Applied Statistics
Contact Information
Apps Required for This Class
- Schoology
- Google Sheets
- Google Docs
- Google Slides
- Gmail
- QR-Code Reader
- YouTube
- An updated iPad...make sure you stay current with new versions of iOS.
Schoology
iBooks
TinkerPlots
Grading Policies and Procedures
Course Requirements
Course Activities
You will be working on course activities with your group on almost a daily basis. These course activities will make up 20% of you grade each quarter. They will be graded with the same rubric as your lab assignments.
Lab Assignments
There are 10 lab assignments, which make up 30% of your grade each quarter. You will complete these lab assignments outside of class. They include problems that will help you learn the course material and software through reflection and practice. These assignments will also help you prepare for the exams. For more information about the lab assignments, including how they will be graded, see the Lab Assignments section (next page).
Group Quizzes
There are 3 in-class group quizzes. Each quiz will make up 20% of your grade each quarter. The quizzes will consist of a few short answer questions designed to test your ability to apply the knowledge you gained by reading the assigned material, working on lab assignments and participating in class activities and discussions. You will also be expected to use TinkerPlots™ on the group quizzes.
It is expected that you will work cooperatively with your group members to decide on the answers to the questions posed in the group quiz. Each student in the group will be required to write up the answer for at least one problem on each quiz. Only one quiz per group will be graded, and each student in the group will receive the same grade. Because of the format and nature of the group quizzes, they may not be completed at a different time, and thus, attendance is required.
Exams
There are 3 in-class exams, which make up 30% of your grade. Each exam will consist of several short answer questions designed to test your ability to apply the knowledge you gained by reading the assigned material, working on lab assignments and participating in class activities and discussions.
Each exam will consist of both an individual and a group section. You may use a calculator (no phones) and a 3x5 index card on both sections of the exam. The index card will need to be turned in along with your exam. There will be no final exam for this class.
Lab Assignments
The lab assignments include problems that will help you learn the course material and software through reflection and practice. Most lab assignments will require the use of TinkerPlotsTM.
Submitted lab assignments must be typed—handwritten assignments will receive no credit. Lab assignments that are submitted via e-mail (without prior instructor approval) will receive no credit. If approval is granted to turn in an assignment via e-mail the only acceptable format is a PDF file.
Although you work with other students in the classroom, you need to complete the lab assignments on your own. Working through the assignments will not only help you prepare for class, but is important in building a complete understanding of the concepts, as well as allowing you to practice “doing” statistics.
How the Lab Assignments are Graded
Each lab assignment is given feedback and a holistic score from 0 to 3. These scores are defined below.
(3) Answers exhibit a complete understanding of the concepts in the assignment. There are no errors in student's statistical reasoning. The responses are clear and correct.
(2) Answers exhibit a near complete understanding of the assignment. There are perhaps minor errors in student's statistical reasoning or the responses are slightly unclear or incorrect.
(1) Answers exhibit some understanding of the assignment. There are errors in student's statistical reasoning or the responses are unclear or incorrect.
(0) Answers exhibit little to no understanding of the assignment. There are fundamental errors in student's statistical reasoning or the responses are unclear or incorrect.
After all 10 lab assignments have been scored and averaged (rounded to the nearest tenth), we use the following conversion to help us compute your lab percentage for the final grade. Students who earn below an average of 1.4 points will receive 0%.
***SEE U of M Syllabus on Schoology for more detailed information about Grading Procedures.
Activities/Missed Class/Make-Up Work
Attendance
In a collaborative learning environment, attendance is critical. Missing class does not only affect you. It also affects your classmates. Because of the adverse impact missing class may have on your classmates, attendance is required! We understand that life happens and each student is granted ten absences (for any reason) without penalty. Each absence thereafter (excused or unexcused) during the course will result in your overall grade being reduced by 3%. If you cannot be in class on any day, you must email your group members and copy the instructor with as much advance warning as possible.
Makeup exams will be up to the instructor’s discretion and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You must provide documentation explaining your absence for the instructor to determine whether an exception should be granted. If you fail to make-up the exam at the re-scheduled time, you will receive zero credit for the exam. The nature of the group quizzes and the group sections of the exam make them very difficult for students to make up. Students who miss the group quiz will be required to take them individually (not in a group) at a date and time determined by the instructor.
Coming to Class Late
Showing up late to class is not only disruptive, it is disrespectful to your classmates. When you show up late, your group needs to spend valuable time catching you up on what you missed. If you are more than five minutes late (without prior instructor permission) you will be considered absent for that period. If you show up late for group quizzes, you will not be allowed to participate on that quiz and will receive a zero. If you show up late for an exam, you may still take the exam, but no additional time beyond the end of class will be allotted. Please be on time.
Participation
Class participation is an important part of learning, especially in courses like EPsy 3264. If you have a question, it is likely that others do as well. We encourage active participation and course grades will take into account students who make particularly strong contributions.
Blended Course Policies
Basic and Applied Statistics is a blended course which means that it is offered as a face-to-face and an online course combination. A student's schedule revolves around the learning environment both in school and on Schoology. It is essential that students are aware of the extra work this requires in communication and in time management.
Belle Plaine High School is offering blended courses to better meet the needs of our students. The young adults we serve will be required to learn and adapt in an ever-changing technological world. Research has shown that students with the highest rate of success in a blended virtual environment are those who are able to manage time effectively, be self-motivated to learn in an online environment, and are able to self-advocate for support and resources. Blended courses allow us to offer content in an anytime, anywhere manner, but still utilize the expertise of professionals so that students have resources and support as they learn in this non-traditional format. Students must demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a less tightly structured setting and exhibit mature work habits.
Teachers will meet with students periodically each week. When not convening in the classroom, students are expected to be engaged in learning on-line. For example , a course may meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday one week and Tuesday, Thursday the next week. There is NO SET SCHEDULE for face to face days (f2f) and Flex days. When the class is not in session, the instructor will be available on-line or in his/her classroom to assist students with their studies. When not in session, students may participate in FLEX DAYS which involve working from home, the school media center, the school Commons Area, or a safe place outside of Belle Plaine High School.
Attendance: Students are required to attend ALL face-to-face days (F2F). Two unexcused absences on these days means the student will attend the remainder of the semester in class, everyday.
- On Flex days, students will not be allowed to linger in the building, hallways, commons, etc. during this time, as other classes are still in session.
- On Flex days, students found in areas where they are not supposed to be will lose the privilege of leaving for the remainder of the school year.
- On F2F days, students who do not meeting the teacher’s expectations may be required to attend class and not work in blended learning areas.
- Guidelines for blended learning course Flex days and F2F days are subject to change at administrative discretion.
- At any point, teacher and/or administration may require attendance due to excused or unexcused absences.
Academic Probation: Anything lower than a C grade in the course AT MID-QUARTER puts a student on class "Academic Probation" for the remainder of the Quarter. Students will be required to attend all learning time in class. For example, if a student is earning a C- on October 7th, he/she will be in class everyday for the rest of 1st Quarter. The reason this policy is in place is to help all students find success with their academic goals and successfully graduate.
Parental Involvement: All parents are invited to join Schoology courses using a student access code. Infinite Campus messages will be sent out quarterly, if not more frequently. Parents will be emailed or called if a student is placed on "Academic Probation" and will be aware that he/she will be required to attend class.
Any parent requesting that that their son or daughter attends class every day are welcome to do this; however, it is important that you, as the student, don't encourage your parents to make this decision.
Wifi & Device Support: Students must be able to access Schoology everyday during school hours and, depending on coursework, over the weekends; It is strongly recommend that students have Wifi/Hotspot access at least once an evening. If Wifi access is an issue, student participation online will need to happen during school hours. Please contact the blended learning instructor with concerns.
Communication: Blended learning courses will use any of the following communication tools with students and/or parents during the course: Remind (app), Schoology messaging & updates, school email, Infinite Campus (grading & messages), and phone calls.
Online Discussion Requirements (Schoology & other online forums):
What are the guidelines and expectations for online discussion forums?
1. Stay focused on the forum post topic. A forum used for classroom purposes should
stay on track. Your responses should be limited to those that keep the conversation flowing for the intended purpose.
2. A forum post is not the same as a text. Text jargon should not be used. Proper grammar and spelling are essential if you want to make a good impression. You should always proof-read and spell-check before you post.
3. Remember, it is a public post. Anything you say can and will be used against you, so be careful and do not make impulsive posts.
4. Posts must always be respectful. Inside jokes, teasing, bullying, whining, nagging, and foul language ARE NOT ALLOWED! Posts should encourage the safe sharing of ideas and opinions.
5. Your moderator is always watching. Private conversations should remain private, because you are in the forum for a specific purpose that is determined and evaluated by the moderator.
6. There may be consequences. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in a zero for the forum post. Administrative intervention is also possible if district policies are violated.