Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Susan Lee -

Hi Dr. Hahn & TA's,

Thank-you for the time you are spending with us on Thursdays in Lab.  As I mentioned briefly in Lab this week, I think it would be really valuable to have time on Thursdays to start the next week's assignment with the TA's circulating to help answer questions as they come up.

For example, if Lab time could be modified to the following:

10:30-10:45am - brief overview of that week's lecture by TAs (as they have been doing a great job of already)

10:45-11:05 - go over any specific questions from last week's homework (do not run through every question, since I don't think this has great learning value, as the assignment solutions are posted anyway, although I definitely agree that sometimes deeper explanation of a few problems could help us learn a lot) - alternatively, identify problem areas from previous years, and only go over those select questions.

11:05-12:30pm - open time for individual questions about last week's assignment, and to start the next week's assignment, with TA's circulating to be able to help explain as needed. (sort of like Biostat 212, which worked out really well!) - this might help the frustration sometimes associated with 10+ tries to get Stata to do what you want and nobody around to ask for help!  If ++questions are generated for a particular point, they can briefly do an explanation/demo for everyone.

I know the TA's have mostly prepared for the last week's assignment, but I imagine by preparing the mini-lecture at the start of Lab, and the fact that they've done the material before, they would be amply ready to help us with the current week assignment.

I briefly discussed with a few other students who thought this format might work well.

Thanks again!!

~Susan

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Judith Hahn -

HI Susan, thanks for your suggestion.  I will discuss this with the TAs.  Any other students' comments on this are welcome.

 

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Matthew Lin -

Thank you Susan for proposing this. I agree, Biostat 212's format really allowed us to feel more comfortable with the material since we didn't struggle as much while we were at home. This will definitely take away a lot of the stress level by getting a head start on the assignment. 

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Jenise Wong -

Thanks, Susan.  I appreciate the suggestion, since we want to make the best use of the time we have.  I'm curious to see how many other students (e.g. almost everyone?) have similar thoughts, and if this is consistent across both lab rooms (since the TAs are different in each room, and we've done things in a slightly different order, with different amounts of time spent on the different activities).  It's great to have this feedback, and thanks very much for the ideas.

Jenise

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Matt Hickey -

Thanks for initiating this discussion Susan.  I would appreciate the additional time to get help and problem solve with classmates and the TAs on the following week's assignment.  Seems like this has higher learning value than going through the answers to the previous week's assignment as a group.

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Eric Seeley -

I would also prefer to spent time working on the labs instead of going over the questions.  I think this would be a more effective use of time.

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Lindsay Hampson -

Would rather spend time working on the next week's assignment while having TA's there to answer questions.

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Meera -

I also think I would get the most out the lab time if most of the time was spent on a short of the previous lecture and then had time to start on the next week's assignment. For me, going over last week's homework would be most helpful if we reviewed only the hardest problems (or ones people have specific questions on). I would appreciate time to start on the new assignment with the TAs circulating to help when questions come up on the new concepts. 

Thanks Susan for bringing this up and Dr. Hahn for willing to consider this change!

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Ruby -

I agree with Meera's response.  

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Valerie -

I too would appreciate designating some time to review the more challenging homework problems in lab before they are due.  Thanks!

Re: Suggested modification of Lab time on Thursdays

by Bambeiha Asiimwe -

I would have no problem with this suggestion and would be happy to use some of the lab time to troubleshoot Stata challenges.  But in general I would encourage you to attempt questions on your own and seek help that is more general than specific.  Discussion of the homework with your colleagues can also promote more understanding of the concepts.