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# General Announcement Emails Sent to IT 480 Students
# Fall Semester, 2012, Professor Don Colton
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Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 06:55:00 -1000 (HST)

What will we do in IT 480 class today?

We are two weeks from the end of the semester. We have introduced all
the main things in class. At this point my focus is on helping the
students get as many points as possible to get the best grade they
can.  Several already have As.  Several still have Fs.

Accordingly, the remaining days of class will focus on things that
earn points.  I will, for example, be in class every day, but there
will not be a lecture topic. Instead, I will be there to help.

The SS, SN, and SV exams will be available every day (including
today), but the price of admission is that you have to totally
complete a practice test first.  Then you can sit for the exam.

The seven hardware labs can be done in class. Yes, the router and
switch fans make a bit of noise, but I think people can do the labs
and other people take tests at the same time. It probably would be
better if the lab doers work on the hardware side of the classroom,
and the test takers sit on the doorway side of the classroom, but
that's not a big deal.

I am looking for a lot more As than we currently have on my score
sheet.

Let's do this thing. Thanks! Bro Colton

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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:10:00 -1000 (HST)

In all four of my classes (CIS 101, CIS 205, IT 280, and IT 480), the
first five minutes of class have been reserved for the daily
update. This has been a great success, but five minutes is starting to
feel like too long. Most people are done well before the five minute
mark.

Effective Monday (Oct 15), I will be cutting the daily update time to
two and a half minutes. (We will still start it 10 minutes before
class.) We will then have the prayer about 2.5 minutes after class
time starts, and we may be able to start exams and other things at the
5-minute mark instead of waiting for the 10-minute mark.

Hopefully this will be a better use of our time.

Thanks! Bro Colton

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Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:10:00 -1000 (HST)

In CIS 101, CIS 205, IT 280, and IT 480 (all my classes), I have a
study time requirement. The question has come up, "what if I don't
need that much studying to complete the course successfully?" and I
have decided upon an answer.

If (1) you have earned enough points (on assignments, tests, etc.)
that full credit on all future Effort Grade Book items would get your
overall grade up to an A, and (2) you bring it to my attention, then I
will grant those remaining effort points and you will have your A.

(I am feeling my way forward on this Study Time / Daily Update
thing. So far I continue to believe it is a really good idea, but I
want to make sure it does not hurt anyone.)

I will update each syllabus to include that paragraph, or something
like it.

Thanks! Bro Colton

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end