Class Overview

Welcome to the new semester. I’m Katryn Wiese, your professor. Please review the following information carefully as I explain the basic format and layout of this class. If you aren’t sure if it’s the right class for you, please reach out, and let’s discuss together.

As your professor, my goal is to help you learn the material and skills covered in this course. I will be your guide and support, and I’ve developed a course format that I believe will maximize your learning experience. The learning itself will be up to you and depend greatly on how much time and commitment you have to give to the class.

The main goal of a geology field class is to give students experience observing and interpreting geology in the field. To achieve that goal, you will be taking measurements, recording observations, thinking critically, analyzing results, and communicating what you’ve learned. As such, each field day's activities will require written and hands-on work.

If at any point you want help, attend office hours or make an appointment with me. I'd like to help.

CANVAS HOME PAGE

Each time you open the class, you'll start at the HOME page.

My name and a link to my contact information appears under the class photo.
The Open Q&A forum button goes to a discussion for the entire class. Anything you post there will be visible by all students. Use the Open Q&A forum for discussion of any topics. Share field trip ideas or information about upcoming events. You can also use it to form study groups.
At the bottom of the page is a week-by-week calendar for the semester, indicating what module and content we cover each week. Just click on the week you want, and it will take you to the Module for that week.

All of the instructions and tasks for each week of the class are grouped into weekly modules that are designed to be completed in sequence, one page at a time.

To start a module, click on the first page listed and then use the NEXT button to progress through the module in sequence. You can also close modules when you’ve completed them, which I recommend you do to make it easier to find where you are in the course and to see your progress.

Typical Module CANVAS Layout and Class Format:

Each week starts with the weekly objectives and checklist. Read this page first to be sure you meet the weekly deadlines and orient yourself to the week's objectives.
Next is a Warm-Up assignment which is to be completed PRIOR to the field day, so that you are prepared for the field trip itself.
Then you will find the field or lab assignment. During our weekly orientation/lab and field sessions, we will work on assignments. You will be given those assignments in paper form to complete. Be sure to get a notebook in which to store them. Use these to keep your answers and notes in one place for the whole class, so you can refer back to past material at any time).
When we have completed each day's activities, you will complete a wrap-up assignment based on the activities you did. You can reference your notes and assignments to assist. (It's my way of seeing your completed work.)

Deadlines

No assignments will be accepted late.

The warm-up assignments are due before our field days and will be discussed during that field trip. Answers are released that morning. For that reason, no late assignments are accepted. I recommend you do them early to avoid missing them.
The wrap-up assignments happen in class/field, and you have to be present to complete them.

Next step: Use the menu on the left to explore the CLASS SYLLABUS.

Jump in and explore. And please reach out if you have questions.
I look forward to meeting you!

Click the NEXT button in the lower right of screen to continue through the module -->