Participation is defined as regularly attending class (not just for filling a seat) and asking and answering useful questions which further  contribute to the subjects discussed in each session. To this end, it is strongly recommended, that participants do indeed read the assigned  chapters and WWW pages BEFORE class, so that questions may be asked and good discussions takes place.  Students should make an effort to contribute useful information on regular occasions.
 

Click on the screen capture to the left to see/hear this 3 minute video clip (800 MB)  of Prof. Richardson talking about the details of earning class participation / contribution marks.

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A detailed discussion of how class participation marks are calculated per email and per contribution - includes an explanation what happens of CP is 10% and you speak 10 times, do you get 10/10, no - video explains how your mark is calculated in the context of what the other students in the class earned.. uploaded March 2010

 

NAME - make sure, when you are saying something in class, that you voluntarily tell me your last name EACH TIME, it usually takes several weeks for the professor to get to know students names in a class. In order to be credited for saying something in class, the prof has to know your last name - so it should be a habit that when you stick up your hand to say "last name .... interesting thing....", so later in the class the prof has a chance to place a mark beside your name on the class list.

It often happens that students get excited about making a contribution and shout out comments during the class, and even when reminded, still do not identigy their last name. These students are under the impression that the are earning marks, BUT, that is not the case because their name is not known.
Simple rule, if the prof calls you by name, he knows your name..... duh, if he motions for you to speak, but does not call your name, SAY YOUR NAME so he can make a check mark beside your name on the class list so you will score a point.
 
 

TELL ME YOUR NAME !!! Some students make this process of "name learning" easy by bringing to class a piece of cardboard with their last name spelled clearly, so the prof can easily see who it is that made a particular remark. It is always appreciated if the name is written in large letters so it can be read from 30 or 40 feet away.

click on Michael's face to listen to his comments, in Mandarin, on class participation marks for MRK 410

click on Richelle's image to hear this former MRK 410 student comment on class participation marks

Contributions can also be made by identifying resources on the WWW that would be useful to the class. These contributions can be made in the form or emailing information to the professor, or bringing to class various articles and documents. If you do send an email, DO NOT just send the URL - you should make a summary, in your own words, as to why the article is useful and how it contributes to what we are discussing in class. Really good emails could be worth 2, 3 or possibly even 4 marks.

Class participation can also be obtained by demonstrated assistance to other people in the class - we call this peer-to-peer learning and it is an important part of teaching and learning in the new years of the new millenium. So, if you spend some time helping other people in the class learn something related to the course, you are eligible for class participation. This mark will be under the heading for "tutoring"

Audio clip (podcast) made by University of Toronto (UTM) students
Betty (Wan-Tzu) C. and Margaret (Tzu-Chiao) H. for
"Witiger Radio Show" in March 2008

Click on the girl's faces to hear the full clip in English and Mandarin - it contains some funny and amusing comments about earning class participations marks and their comments also about the course

Click to the left to read the English / Chinese (Mandarin) script of the audio clip  (but do this after you listen to the audio clip) - it is funnier to hear the clip first

 

We also do some exercises in class like GOPST, in groups, this will count for class participation if you attend on the day we do the exercise.

Class participation / contribution will be calculated on a per incident basis so students should plan on trying to have something useful to say, or contribute at least once every second or third class.

Class participation marks can also include one or two small quizzes done in class - if you are not present that day - you will lose the mark for the quiz.

Some people are able to achieve 20/20 for class participation by the 12th week, other people rarely say anything and get 10/20 - it is up to you.

Do not leave class participation to the end of the course. All class participation marks will be finalized in the 1st week of the last month.
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