Post your Progress on Class Observations by Thursday, Oct. 17 at midnight

Hi everyone,

I'd like to know how your class observation process is coming along.  Please comment on this entry with this information:

1. the name of the class you are hoping to observe (like M E 200)
2. the name of the professor you emailed
3. the response you got from this professor (yes, no, no response)
4. what you're planning to do now (you're ready to observe, you need to email your second choice professor, etc.)

Thanks!

Ruth

Class Observation Assignment

All of you have emailed your first choice professor for class observations, and some of you have already heard back that you are allowed to come and observe.  If you haven't heard back from your first choice professor by the end of the day today, email your next choice professor.  You should be asking to observe during the first week of November.

Here is what you will be doing for this class observation project:

1. Before observing:

• Once you figure out which class you're observing, go to the department's website (by searching for it on www.psu.edu). On that departmental website, look for a tab about the degree program that you are pursuing, and find the class description of the class you are taking.  There will probably be a sample syllabus there (like this: http://www.mne.psu.edu/Undergraduate/Curriculum-MECore.html). Print out a copy of this syllabus to take with you to the class and to have as you prepare your presentation.  
• If you are unable to find a syllabus, email the professor you are observing to see if he or she might be able to send you a copy.  
• Also, figure out which building your class will be in and make sure you know how to get there.  

2. During the observation:

• You don't want to be late when you observe your class - try to get there at least 10 minutes early.  
• If the professor is there and doesn't seem too busy, you could go and introduce yourself at the beginning of class.  If the professor seems busy at the beginning, wait until after class to go and introduce yourself.  Don't take too much time doing this - just say your name and that you are the international student who emailed them about observing, and thank them for letting you come.   
• Sit back down in your seat and make sure you have paper to take notes on.  Take notes in three topic areas:
• what is happening in class in terms of activities and material (what topics are covered and how?)
• what the students are doing (how they are interacting with each other and with the professor)
• what the professor is doing (how he or she is interacting with the students)

3. After the observation

• Send an email to the professor you observed thanking them for permitting you to visit their class.
• Prepare for your presentation by looking at the rubric on Angel to make sure that you have information about each area.
• Practice your presentation so that you are ready on Nov. 18 or 20

Homework due Tuesday, Oct. 15 by midnight

I. Extensive Reading Suggestions

1. Post three titles of books you might like to read for fun on your blog.  I will be looking at all of the suggestions and dividing you into groups based on your choices

II. PSU Scavenger Hunt Step 2:

1. Find an article in your field of study! Copy the chart below and post the information in it on your blog by Tuesday at midnight.  You'll also be printing out a copy of the article you found to bring to class with you on Friday.
   1. Go to the Penn State library homepage: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/
   2. Hover over Research at the top (with your cursor), and then choose "Research Guides."
   3. Click on the letter of your field (for example, N for Nutrition).
   4. Take a look through the various tabs (articles, tutorials, books, etc.) to make sure you know all of the options that this research guide gives you.  
   5. Find the name of a librarian who specializes in your field of study and post it in the chart below on your blog.
   6. Choose one of the tabs that gives ideas about how to find articles (for example, choose the tab called "articles and databases").
   7. Click on one of the databases.
   8. Search for a specific topic within your field of study once you are in the database (you may need to log in using your PSU username and password).
   9. Find an article that looks interesting to you, and post the information about it in the chart on your blog.
   10. Email it to yourself
   11. Print it and bring it to class on Wednesday.
   
   

   Name of a librarian who specializes in your field of study
   Title of the article you found
   Author
   Journal name
   Year published
   Database you used to find the article

Work during class on Wednesday, 10/9

I. Professor Email

1. Make a draft of your email to your first choice professor and raise your hand to show Ruth. Here is a sample:

Dear Professor (last name),

I am/My name is (your full name), and I am an international student at Penn State.  I was wondering if it would be possible to observe your (name of class) at (time) on (date) for a class project.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards/Best,

(your full name)

1. After Ruth gives you feedback, send your email.  

II. Carbon Footprint Calculator

1. Go to http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ . This is for the UK, so some things are in different units than we use in the US, but you can answer your general guesses anyway.
2. Answer the questions about your habits in the US.
3. Click next when you finish with each question.
4. Copy your results (how many earths you would need if everyone lived like you) and paste them on your blog, like this:

We would need 2.82 planets if everyone lived your lifestyle

PSU Scavenger Hunt: Step 1!

Hello, 4B!  

Here are your instructions for today's PSU Field of Study Scavenger Hunt!  Remember to find all of the information below and post it on your blog by Tuesday at midnight. 

Step 1: 
Find Classes You'd be Interested in Observing!

1. Go to http://schedule.psu.edu/
2. Choose “University Park” for campus
3. Select whichever subject interests you (preferably your future field of study).
4.  Click on “Additional Search Criteria,” and then scroll down to choose the days of the week and times that work for your schedule
5. Remember that you’ll be able to have Wednesday, November 6 from 9:05-11:05 free, but that you can observe whenever is convenient for you (outside of other IECP classes’ times).
6. Click “Search Courses.”
7. Read through the descriptions to see which classes you think sound interesting.
8. Write down the class names and numbers (for example, BIOL 003), days (MTWRF) times, locations, and the name of the professor. 
9.  Click on the professor’s name for their email address (or search www.psu.edu for with their name (choose “people” next to the search field)).
10. Copy the table below and post the three classes that you would be most interested in observing.

	Class #1	Class #2	Class #3
Class name and number (for ex.: Ag 113)
Days it meets (MTWRF)
Time it meets
Location
Professor’s name
Professor’s email
Reason you’re interested in observing it

Step 2: We'll save this for later this week. :)  Just do step 1 by Tuesday at midnight.