Classrooms are for learning.

Teachers and students must work together so that the classroom is a good place to learn. You can help by following a few simple rules. These rules are mostly just common sense and common courtesy. By following them, you show respect to your fellow students as well as your teachers.

Dr. Faris Gorashi, PhD, MSc, BSc (Civil)

Senior Lecturer KLIUC-SETI-CIVIL
Ext. 889 Room No. A318

Please try to get to class on time When you come in late, you time. disrupt your class. As a general rule, if you are more than 10 minutes late, you should not enter the classroom If you arrive late, classroom. but need to see the instructor or pick up lecture notes, please return at the end of the class period. period.

Conduct in the Classroom

Once in class, you should stay until the class is over. If you know you have to leave early, ask the instructors permission before the class starts.

Conduct in the Classroom

Assignments, tests and examinations are an integral part of the learning experience. Students who cheat disrupt this process. The instructor has a responsibility to make cheating difficult, but cheating is wrong even when you can get away with it. Dont give in to the temptation to cheat, and be critical of those who do.

You should not do things during class that disrupt the class or distract your classmates such as talking while the lecturing. instructor is lecturing. If you have a pager or cellular phone, turn if off when you are in class. class. And please pay attention to this sign that tell you not to eat or drink in the classrooms.

Your instructor has the authority to make other rules that he or she feels are necessary to help you learn. For example, some instructors may require that you attend a minimum number or percentage of their classes. If you do not follow these rules, it may affect your grade.

Conduct in the Classroom

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Conduct in the Classroom

Class attendance is highly recommend and participation in the classroom discussions are an important aspect of the learning process. Lectures are also where the important concepts are presented and the notes put into perspective ATTENDANCE RECORDS WILL BE TAKEN

You are investing several years of your life in your university education. Learning to accept responsibility is an important part of that education. The classroom is a good place to begin showing that you are ready for the responsibilities of being an adult.

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It also allows the instructor to monitor whether the major concepts are being understood. It is essential that students give feedback to the instructor. In addition to identifying problems it is also very helpful to offer practical solutions / alternatives so that these can be considered. Please try to make this process a positive one.

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Previous Student Concerns and Proposed Solutions

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Examinations
Examinations will test the understanding of concepts and will not require students to memorize major formulas or large amounts of qualitative information.

Concerns: - Extensive Class Notes (Reading or Printing?) - Instructors accent and speaking too fast - Use of the white board during lectures writing too small or hard to read

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Solutions: The major concepts will be clearly identified and stated in the lectures. Any material which may be considered supplementary will be identified as such. Material that is examinable will be clearly identified A summary of the main concepts of each lecture will be given. These concepts are the only examinable component of the course Students encouraged to interact in class and to raise concerns during the lecture (e.g. cant read the material written on the board)

When marking exams, I will be looking for the student to demonstrate that they understand the concepts both qualitatively and quantitatively. For example, when a short qualitative questions is asked, a direct answer to the question illustrates such an understanding. Writing large quantities of qualitative information, only a small fraction of which actually addresses the question asked, does NOT illustrate such understanding.

Example of a meeting
Several people agree to meet at 9:00 to write a document. Two arrive at 9:30, and one doesnt show up at all. One person takes some time to tell another what happened at the last meeting. At about 10:00 the people start discussing new items, though there is no set agenda. The people discuss the title for 30 minutes, including 10 minutes on the font sizes. For about 45 minutes, they brainstorm elements of the heart of their document. They set another meeting for the next day and adjourn without assigning tasks.

Features of meetings
GOOD Meetings start and end on time. BAD People arrive late and the meeting drags on. No notes are kept. Discussions are rambling. One person dominates the discussion. Jobs are segmented. Criticism is hostile, disrespectful, or egoego-driven. Disagreements linger and fester. Few tasks are assigned, and people ignore them. Meetings waste precious time.

Accurate notes are kept. Discussions are focused. Everyone participates and listens. Consensus determines decisions. Criticism is civil, frequent, open, and frank. Disagreements are settled openly. Teammates understand tasks and complete them on schedule. Meetings are informal but productive

Policies/Philosophy
Reading the text is not optional in this course. The only purpose of the unannounced quizzes is to ensure that the reading is being accomplished. My goal in the lectures will be to clarify concepts in the reading, supplement the reading material, and stress concepts of particular importance.

Excuses are tools of the incompetent which build bridges to nowhere and monuments of nothingness, those who use them seldom amount to anything.
Author unknown

Notes from Medical doctors and statements of mourning are the only reasons for being unprepared or not completing assignments. No excuses or explanations of late work are necessary because no late work will be accepted. Plan to start assignments early. If you have a pet dont leave your work in a place where they can destroy it! Back up disks!

We bring it upon ourselves? Cramming relieves stress? Partying the night before relaxes me so I can do better tomorrow? Missing class reduces stress? Thinking about your hot date tonight during class helps you learn better? Putting things off today reduces future stress?

Be prepared Have a positive attitude Get off of this attitude that I hate this subject. Be adult and learn it Keep up to date-do not fall behind Avoid cramming do not procrastinate (delay) Work with someone or a group. But be a participant and not a leach. Be able to say no Be proud of yourself

Lecturers Lecturers Lecturers Lecturers Lecturers

are tyrants (monster) are here to make your life miserable are unfair, uncaring, and just plain mean do not care if you learn or not never help.

In active learning, the lecturer is a facilitator. You are the prime mover and responsible for how much you learn. In passive learning, the lecturer is still a facilitator. He is a resource among many available to you to learn if you choose. Passive learners assume incorrectly that the lecturer will do it all for them.

Doing whatever is necessary to fully understand the subject material at each stage of your development. Being the principal person in charge of your learning. Being proactive before, during, and after class.

Attending Class most of the time Taking Notes haphazardly Listening most of the time Doing Homework but maybe not all Stopping when the going gets tough.

Take notes and organize ASAP after class. Highlight what you believe to be really important Participate in study groups Read and study the text before class. Compare text with Lecturer notes. Do homework as scheduled. Do not postpone Follow a plan Exercise self discipline

Can you communicate. Are you dependable. Do you do quality work. Are you a team player. Can you work under stress. Do you have leadership potential. Are you willing to do anything to get the job done.

An intellectually disciplined process of actively conceptualizing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to help achieve a real understanding of issues. It is a mode of thinking that is proactive, observant, and reflective. It is a thought process driven by a desire to understand.

Where does your education fit into your plan for the future? Do you have a plan? What is the first step in preparing a plan for the future?

Thank You