Class Rules and Conduct

Revised: 2024-04-28 8:36 PM CDST

Online classes are different than traditional face-to-face classes so your approach to them must be different too. The fact that the class does not meet routinely in a regularly scheduled time and place is one of the main differences. Thus, you must schedule your own study time and strive not to fall behind. In this class, testing is different too. Tests are OPEN BOOK/OPEN NOTES. Before you cheer, realize that unlike traditional tests, the tests in this class will not directly sample your memory. Instead, success on these tests will require you to find the answers from the text, the PowerPoints, and the Notes that I provide for each chapter. Grading will be different too. The grading scale (see below) will be stricter than that in a traditional class. Please pay close attention to the information below.

Communication and "Office Hours"

• I will use e-mail as the main method of communication between us.
• My e-mail addresses are: epkardas@yahoo.com or ekardas@astate.edu
  • I will monitor my e-mail from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm during the work week
  • I will monitor less routinely during the weekends
• Social Media
  • I am not a big social media user so don't contact me using FaceBook (even though I have an account)
    • Funny story: I once responded to my wife's posting of our wedding anniversary only to discover her post was three years old!
• "Office Hours"
  • As noted above, I'll be in my "office" 12 hours a day on e-mail
  • I'm happy to schedule individual or group Zoom sessions as needed
  • I'm happy to schedule phone conversations as well

Tests and Grading

• Here is the Number One hint I can provide you for taking tests in this class:
  • FIND the answer! (as opposed to REMEMBER the answer)
  • So, here's a good plan for you:
    • Study the text, the PowerPoints, and the Notes I provide online
    • When you are ready, open the test in Canvas
    • For the ones you cannot, LOOK FOR the answers and record them
    • Think of taking these tests as akin to finding Waldo in the Where's Waldo books :-) (Only not as hard)

  

• I will post your tests on Canvas on Friday of each week by 10 am
• They will be due by the following Sunday at 11:30 pm
  • In other words you will have 61 hours and 30 minutes to complete each test
• Late tests will be accepted but will be subject to a 5 point penalty/24 hours
• Tests will consist of objective and essay items
  • Objective items may be: T-F and Multiple Choice. These will count one point each.
  • Essay items will be short-answer items. These will count five points each.
    • You may answer the essay items using available course materials OR materials you discover elsewhere
    • BUT, in both cases you must provide the source you used. Examples:
      • Found on page 52 of text
      • Found on course's PowerPoint for chapter 11
      • Found on the webpage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traitse
      • I don't mind you using ChatGPT or similar programs to find answers BUT DO NOT simply paste the answer the program gives you. Instead, use that output to supplement what you have read elsewher and WRITE your own answer.
  • FYI, I consider Wikipedia pages on psychology acceptable sources
    • See APS Wikipedia Initiative
      • "The APS Wikipedia Initiative makes information about psychological science on Wikipedia as complete and accurate as possible."
  • There will be five tests
  • Each test will have 50 points
  • I will drop your lowest test score at the end of the term
  • There is no "Final Exam"
  • Grades are based on the TOTAL number of points, so the maximum score is 200 points
  • Your grades will appear on Canvas
  • Grading Scale (out of 200)
    • A 184 and above (92% and higher)
    • B 164 to 183
    • C 124 to 163
    • D 116 to 123
    • F 122 or less
• I will grade your tests promptly and will e-mail you feedback on your performance. I will also explain why your answers were wrong.
  • Here is an example from the History of Psychology class:
    • Correct answers for missed questions:
      • # 14 Copernicus refused to work on the Gregorian calendar
      • # 22 Kepler was one of the first to combine math and physics
      • # 32 Hume's conception of cause and effect was original
      • # 34 Galileo essay lost 1 point. Church did not forgive him until 1992, that was part of the question, you left that out
  • So, you will receive similar feedback for all of your answers.

Back to Main Page