Thanks for the feedback everyone...

I've selected some of the comments that might be of interest to many people in class.

student: I think I can speak for the class in saying the due time for HW is kind of a pain, especially for those of us who work on the weekends. I am willing to bet that the majority of the class would support an adjustment to the day homework is due.

[I understand we all live full lives and will adapt class to best serve all of you.... Since the HW is posted on Mondays, it can be turned in any time in advance of Sat. Prior years I had it due on Friday at midnight. We'll vote on this option.]

student: Are our tests going to be mostly essays like the homeworks, or more calculation based?

[there will be something like a 50/50 split between essays and multiple-guess questions.  This comes from the constraints of being able to grade all the material.  There will be a greater emphasis on conceptual undertanding / reasoning than on plug-chug formula… Though you are responsible for knowing when, how and why to apply the few formula we’ve used in class]

student: I like how there are frequent problems in class about the material we are going over. I find this useful because it is applying the information as I am learning and helps solidify the concept in my mind.

[good to hear I’ll emphasize this]

student: I was a bit confused about some of the homework questions and i was wondering if you will be posting solutions.

[solutions are on the web. Check under the weekly assignments tab]

student: when will you explain more in-depth the requirements for the paper?

Excellent question. Soon. Certainly by the first week of Feb and maybe just after your first exam. Note: this is designed to be a rewarding project for ya'll and not a major burden. So if you want to get started pick ANY area of interest that relates to some physics. Note: if you are going to pick something that we've covered in class (which is perfectly fine), you cannot simply repeat what we've coverd in class ;)

student: I thought today's lecture on photocopiers became confusing toward the end, but I sure it will all come together in thursdays lecture when you wrap it all up.

student: I was most lost on was the bands and how the e- move. If you could just further explain what an election band is that would be great

[Thanks for letting me know(ah). I’ll go over this again and include a simulation … I hope]