First Principles
It is my responsibility to make a reasoned estimate of your progress in the Math 120 based on the work you present. Making such an estimate is not easy since each of us has understandings in many spheres that are ever-changing, and how well we demonstrate our understanding is highly dependent on the ways in which we are asked for such a demonstration. For these reasons, I will ask you to present various kinds of work over the course of the semester in the hope that I can get as full a picture of your understanding as I can. The formats through which I will evaluate your work will be taken from: individual portfolios containing questions and observations, team written problem generation and solution, participation in discussions on-line and in class, class and on-line presentations, homework, and team or individual projects. I don't expect you to excel in all these formats; they are intended to give you a variety of ways to demonstrate your understanding.
Honor
It is your responsibility to present your work with honesty and integrity in accordance with the Mount Holyoke Honor System. Such responsibility takes on particular importance in the area of the collaboration you do with one another in Math 120. I am encouraging you to collaborate with one another, just as the Mount Holyoke College Student Handbook, 2001-2 (p. 100), calls for a community in which, "Each member of the academic community has the right to benefit from its collective knowledge and resources as well as the responsibility to contribute to them." When you present work that is based on collaboration with others or consultation with others, it is your responsibility to note that collaboration or consultation in writing on the presented work. Please talk to me and refer to the Mount Holyoke College Student Handbook whenever you have questions regarding issues of honesty.
I am sure that, with hard work, each of you will make great progress in your understanding of geometry. It is my responsibility to help you to do so.
What's Different about this Course
I believe that asking good questions is much more important to intellectual growth than answering questions. So, if you'll give free rein to your curiosity, you'll probably do just fine in Math 120!
Next Steps
We will work out details of determining a grade, including the formats by which you can demonstrate your learning, as we move through the course. If you have questions or suggestions right now send me a message!
As a starting point, your portfolio is a place to put all the work, processes and products of your thinking about geometry (classwork, including labs, and homework) this term. So, the portfolio should include, but not be limited to, your homework, lab work, class notes, and the questions you have asked, even if you never voiced those questions in class. Specific types of things like folded paper, sketches, and scripts should be included. The portfolio starts as the dumping ground for all those items mentioned above.
Beyond that, the portfolio should be organized in such a way that it is readable and that it reflects your understanding of geometry as it emerges in this course. Sectioning and headings are helpful as organizing tools. Reflection on what you have done is essential.
Portfolios don't need to be limited to work on paper; you could augment work on paper with electronic files and web pages if you want.
Portfolios should be submitted to me by Thursday, October 23, for a first reading and assessment.
Tentative Assessment Information