Assignments:

1. Are we going to be told what assignments to do and what sections to read before hand?
The syllabus provides and outline of what chapters we will be covering and when (you will find it beneficial to read the chapters around the time they are covered in class). The dates for the critical thinking assignments are provided ahead of time (remember you only need to select a subset of the assignments from the entire list).  Exam dates are posted on the syllabus.  Quizzes are typically announced in class for the next class session.

2. Are we usually reminded of assignments, like the critical thinking assignments, or is it up to us to remember?
Due dates are provided ahead of time (for assessments & assignments - due dates are provided with the assignment).  With the critical thinking assignments, you need to do only a subset of the assignments.  So, it will be up to you to know when the various assignments are due.  

3. Will each exam be just about each chapter and will every question be in the notes?
Exams will cover material covered in class and in the book.  To do well you want to make sure that you are attending lectures and reading the book.  A review sheet is provided that should help you focus on the relevant material.  A majority of the material will come from the lectures and assigned chapters and some from just the book (there is a considerable amount of overlap between the two).

Expectations:

1. How often will be need to study per week if we are taking 4 classes?
Taking 5 classes (15 credit hours is equal to a full time job).  The rule of thumb is that for each credit hour - you are spending 2 to 3 hours outside of class (so for a 3 credit course that is 6-9 hours a week).  Some classes may take a little more some a little less.

2. Is it expected or helpful to have read the chapters before the class which relates to them?  Or would it be better to do so after the lecture.  Is this true for all classes?
Both reading the chapters and attending lectures are important (the expectation is that you are in fact doing both).  The same material is presented in different ways (from a memory perspective this is important – material presented in different ways increases the likelihood that you will be able to understand the material and apply that information in a number of different settings).  So the answer is make sure you do both, but the order in which they are done is up to you.  Some find it helpful to read the textbook ahead of time (and if they have a question about the material they can ask it in class).  Others find that attending lectures first make it easier to read the material in the chapter. If you are unsure try both methods (it may also depend on the class and you may do one method for one class but the other method for a different class).

3. Does this class make us read and study a lot to get a good grade?
For any course you should be doing additional work outside the classroom (if you already knew all of the material there would be no reason for going to college).  As mentioned in the syllabus “Education is an active process, and it is up to you to determine your level of involvement in your education.”   Any course doesn't “make” you read and study, however, if you want to do well in the course both are important.

4. Will there be homework assignments with groups?  
We will not have any group homework assignments.  We do have some group activities in the class (but none for a grade).

5. I have a few hard classes and I am not really sure how to make the right time to study if I have a test or exam for two classes.
You want to make sure that you are keeping up with the material and assignments in both classes.  Waiting until the night before is often a recipe for disaster.   If you are doing work each day/week for your courses this should be possible (unless you are working 40 hours a week or more and taking 15 credit hours or more – eventually something will have to give [unless you are willing to just work, study and have no “life” – and even then things will be difficult])


Resources (academic):

1. I have no idea how to study.  Do you have any tips?
An excellent resource for study tips is CASA (Center for Academics Success and Advancement (Kettler G23).  Besides offering two hours of tutoring free each week, they also can provide help with developing study skills.

2. If the student is willing to put in the time will the teacher be there for extra help?  What does it take to get all “A”s?
The university has a number of resources - you will want to make sure that you use all of the appropriate ones.  My office hours are listed on the syllabus (as I mentioned in class, these are times for students to stop by if they want some help – if you want to stop by during non-office hours make sure that you email and we can setup an appointment).  The second question - What does it take to get all “A”s?  College and life long learning should be about mastery of the material and not all about the grade. If one focuses on learning the material then that should be reflected in the grade.


Other questions:

1. Will class cancellations be posted on Blackboard?
If it is a last minute emergency and I can not make it to class (and I can't get another professor from the department to cover class) then I will attempt notifying the class by the methods below (assuming that the technology is working). 

Method 1: Professors have an option in my.ipfw.edu to email the entire class - I will notify the class using this option if for some reason I can not make it to class.  Just as a reminder, the university sees your ipfw account as the means of official contact.   So the question asked about blackboard and the answer is no – given that there are other means to contact the class.
Method 2: Announcement made in Blackboard.
Notes:
- The methods listed above will not be used when the University cancels classes.  For University Cancellation of class due to Adverse Weather, information is provided by radio and television stations (or you can call the IPFW Weather Line at 481-6050 or 481-5770). 
- If it is an emergency, posting information may not always be possible.

2. How do you access Blackboard?
Remember that there is a course website with a lot of the materials on it.  We will use Blackboard for the critical thinking assignments.
Log in to my.ipfw.edu  on the right hand side (toward the top) you will see a symbol with “elearning” – click on that icon and that will take you to Blackboard.

3.  What is your policy about snow days when someone lives in another county and travel is prohibited?
The university decides when to cancel class due to weather (i.e., snow).  So, if the University is open then we will have class (per university policy not mine).  In terms of attendance, students can miss three classes without it affecting attendance grades.  You will want to make sure that you didn't miss any announcements.

4. Are IPFW’s credits easily transferable to Indiana and Purdue University?
The safest answer to this is that you always want to check with the institution that you are thinking of transferring to (they have the final say so).  Sometimes they will want a copy of the syllabus (or the description from the course catalog).  Psy 120 is an "Indiana Core Transfer Library Course"  (visit the website www.transferIN.net for additional information).

5. In classes or lecture halls is it a first come first serve basis for seating?
There are no assigned seats.

6. Why don't we have a shuttle bus?
There is a new agreement with Citilink (Fort Wayne bus system) called CampusLink for additional information you can visit the following website http://www.fwcitilink.com/campuslink/

Don't know:

1. If I'm looking to move out on my own, are IPFW dorms a good choice financially?
I couldn't tell you anything about the finances involved in living in the dorms.  Two options, 1) check with campus housing, 2) talk to students who live in the dorms.