Six Steps to Success

 in Principles of Economics: Macro  ,
 in Principles of Economics: Micro  ,
 and in  Introduction to Economics  .

Dear Students taking economics,

I wrote down six ideas to help you get started; then I added an explanation of  how grades are determined. 
 

 (1)  Books.
Purchase and inventory your textbook package.  The Textbook and Study Guide are similarly colored. 

 (2)  MyEconLab.
MyEconLab is an electronic copy of your text, study guide, PowerPoints for each chapter, and quizzes and answers for each chapter checkpoint.

New textbooks contain an insert in the front cover with directions explaining how to register for MyEconLab.
Used textbooks probably have an expired subscription to My EconLab.  You can purchase access to or register for MyEconLab if you purchased a used text at http://www.myeconlab.com/bade .

When following instructions inside the textbook front cover of the text to register for MyEconLab, you will need a course ID.  The publisher gives the instructor the course ID when the class begins.

The course ID for 2006 in Principles of Economics: Macro) was meyer40165 (all lowercase).
The course ID for 2006 in  Principles of Economics:Micro was meyer35093 (all lowercase).
The course ID for 2006 in  Introduction to Economics was meyer97584 (all lowercase).

To help you remember, I suggest you use the passwords and IDs you use for Desire To Learn. 

 (3)  Dates and Assignments.
   Put the dates and assigned chapter titles to read that are scheduled on 15-Module Calendar link onto your refrigerator.

Bonus Point Quizzes are being created.   (They may not be available until the next semester.)
-  Plan to take any optional bonus point pre-study quizzes
(before you read the assigned Textbook chapters)
on Sunday preceding the scheduled lesson plans.
-  Plan to take any optional bonus point post-study quizzes
(after you have completed the Study Guide)
on Saturday after the scheduled lesson plans for each module.

Bonus point quizzes are NOT available once the calendar time for them has gone by.
 
Links to bonus quizzes will be provided on Desire To Learn.

 (4)  Internet Explorer Links.
Pick the course you are enrolled in.  Then look at or "mouse-around" these links:

for Principles of Economics: Macro
      -      15-Module Calendars for   Spring ,  Summer , and  Fall 
      -      Course Homepage
      -      Syllabus

for Principles of Economics: Micro  
      -     15-Module Calendars for   Spring ,  Summer , and  Fall 
      -      Course Homepage
      -      Syllabus

for Introduction to Economics
      -      15-Module Calendars for   Spring ,  Summer , and  Fall 
      -      Course Homepage
      -      Syllabus

     

 (5)  Desire to Learn.
Use the Desire to Learn email capability to introduce yourself to your classmates, to receive guidance, and to check grades.

How your grades are determined

There are 1000 points in each of my courses.

Exams
Each exam consists of 33 questions taken from the practice problems and self-tests on each chapter checklist of course objectives in your text and study guide.  Each question is preceded by the course objective which the question seeks to evaluate.

Notes
1.  You may bring one sheet of standard-sized typing paper with your name and any handwritten notes on it to each exam session. 
2.  You must turn it in along with the exam. 
3.  You must agree not to duplicate nor distribute your own notes to other students.
4.  If used, you must agree that your notes and the exam become property of the instructor.
5.  Notes should be handwritten, not created by computers or technology.

Cooperative Teamwork
Before you take each exam, you turn in a single team solution to four textbook exercises.  You'll be randomly assigned to cooperate with up to three other class members, and re-sectioned if I feel that high performing students can help those who have difficulty.   So each team member has a stake in earning the same grade, and each of you should cooperate and persuade your fellow classmates as to the solutions your textbook authors would most approve of.

Participation in Course Improvement Efforts
Staying in close touch with each of you requires that you keep me informed of the circumstances which befall you while you are taking this course.  There will also be opportunities to critique your exams, to make suggestions, and to review your graded progress.  The participation grade rewards you for helping me to continuously improve your economic instruction.

Mark Your Calendar
Exams, teamwork, and participation are awarded during Module 5, Module 10, and Module 15.  In the fall and spring semester, these modules correspond to the 5th, 10th, and 15th academic weeks of the semester.
 
Letter Grades
Students achieving 90% or more earn "A" letter grades;
Students achieving 80% but less than 90% receive "B" letter grades;
Students achieving 70% but less than 80% receive "C" letter grades;
Students achieving 60% but less than 70% receive "D" letter grades;
Student scoring less than 60% receive a failing grade.

 I update your grades within 48 hours of receiving your work.  So if you don't have a grade but you turned something in, contact me when 48 hours have gone by.

Late Work
Student work that arrives up to 24 hours late may be penalized 20%;
Student work that arrives up to 48 hours late may be penalized 40%;
Student work that arrives up to 72 hours late may be penalized 80%.
Work that is more than three days late may not be graded.

I can not allow procrastination by some students to put me behind in my responsibilities to you and to your other classmates.  Send your work early, but do not send it late and expect to be equally rewarded.  Exceptions appropriate to your documented emergencies are certainly proper.  Put it in writing just as quickly as you can, and tell me about an emergency.

End of course Deadline
All graded work must be in my hands before the course deadline found at the bottom of each 15 Module Calendar.

( 6)  Email Etiquette.
Send an email about yourself using Desire To Learn. Include questions and tell me you are ready to begin.
Use  tom.meyer@roch.edu  and always mention the name of the course you are taking!

 Best wishes for your success!