Changes to the syllabus/grading policies as of March 26

Things that are not changing:

I am planning to have interesting geometry for us all to work on until the end of the semester. 

Things that are changing:

There will be more assignments
These are mostly things we would have done in class together, if we were in class together).

There will be fewer tests:
I am planning to give an option to take a test at the end of the semester for anyone who thinks that taking a test would raise their grade.  The final exam will be optional.  There will be no other exams.

There will be projects:
Instead of tests, there will be projects due at the end of each unit (3 units between now and the end of the semester).  Each project will be worth about 30 points.

The grading groupings and percentages will change:
Currently tests are weighted at 75% and homework is weighted at 25%.  At the end of the semester, I will calculate your weighted average two ways:
Your final grade will be based on the higher of these two weighted averages.

All due dates are fictional:
All due dates will be extended for more-or-less as long as you want, and if you have not completed things by the end of the semester that I will submit a grade of incomplete for you (unless you contact me and let me know that you want me to do something different).

If you aren't keeping up with the due dates, please email and check in with me and let me know what's going on every so often (say, once a week). Note that "I'm busy", "I'm sick", "someone else is sick", and "the intenet is slow", for example, are all good reasons for you to be turning things in after the "due date". I'm not going to adjust grades down for lateness at all for the rest of the semester, but I'm going to worry about you if I haven't heard from you and you haven't turned anything in for more than a week!

All online discussion sessions are optional:
I believe there is a general preference in this class for us to still hold online classes via internet regularly to discuss geometry, etc. We will be holding these sessions using Zoom, and they will happen at the same time as our class would ordinarily be held. You are not required to attend these sessions, and I will record all of them.  I will edit the sessions and post the videos for any part of the session that I think might be useful for someone to go back and watch later.

Online office hours: Because we are holding online discussion sessions, I'm not going to schedule particular hours that would be online office hours.  Please email me when you want a private discussion or help session, and I will be happy to meet with you online at any time when I don't have to be in a discussion with someone else.  Note that I will not be available MWF 12-3.

What happens if you get sick?: If you get sick, then you take care of yourself.  If you have enough energy, send me an email so I know what's going on.  I will record a grade of incomplete for you, and we figure it out when you get well

What happens if I get sick? If I get sick, then I take care of myself. I will send an email to you or make sure someone else sends an email to let you know. I or Dr. Nabb will record a grade of incomplete for you, and we figure it out when I get well.

What happens if I get sick and you can't wait an extra month to finish the course (anecdotal evidence suggests that it takes about 3 weeks to get back on your feet from a serious but non-lethal infection)? Contact Keith Nabb in the math department, and he will work out some alternate assignments you can do so you can get your course grade on time.  (If you think I'm sick, please send me a second email before contacting Dr. Nabb--I get a lot of email and sometimes I lose track!)

What happens if I die? Contact Keith Nabb or he will contact you.  He will figure out a way for you all to get credit and a fair grade for the course.