Category: Announcements

Coronavirus Update: Spring Break, Borrowing a Laptop/iPad

Hi everyone,

I hope you are well and safe during this extraordinary time. I’m writing with two updates:

  1. First, our schedule for the next few weeks has been updated by CUNY Central (this encompasses Spring Break). Take a deep breath and prepare to mark your calendars, it gets a little complicated!
    • NO CLASSES from this Friday, 3/27, through next Wednesday, 4/1. Classes resume on Thursday, 4/2. (According to CUNY, this is a “Recalibration period” which will be used to help ensure that all students have access to the technology they need for distance learning — see item #2 below if you need a laptop or iPad).
    • CLASSES RESUME next Thursday 4/2 (we will have class on Thursday 4/2), and continue until the beginning of Spring Break the following week.
    • TUESDAY 4/7 is a WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE, so we will not have class.
    • SPRING BREAK will take place from 4/8 to 4/10 (three days only!) – so we will not have class on THURSDAY 4/9. If you must miss class the following week for religious observances, please let me know ahead of time.
    • CLASSES RESUME after Spring Break, on Saturday 4/11 (our class will meet on Tuesday 4/14, as usual).
To recap, here is our schedule for the next few weeks:
– Thursday 3/26 we have class as usual, look for Lesson 14 on OpenLab.
– Tuesday 3/31 NO CLASS – CUNY Recalibration period
– Thursday 4/2 we have class as usual, look for Lesson 15 on OpenLab.
– Tuesday 4/7 is a Wednesday schedule, so our class does not meet.
– Thursday 4/9 NO CLASS – Spring Break
– Tuesday 4/14 we have class as usual, look for Lesson 16 on OpenLab.
  1. Do you lack the technology required to participate in Distance Learning? Check out this message from our Dean:
Dear student,

In the coming days we will be receiving a limited supply of Chrome Books and iPads to lend out to students who need them in order to continue their classes in this new online setting. They will need to be returned at the end of the semester. We want to be sure to get these to the students who most critically need them. Therefore, if you already have a laptop or desktop at home, or other resources to continue taking classes online, then please do not respond to this.

However, if it would be impossible or very difficult for you to continue online classes without receiving either a Chrome Book or iPad then please let us know by filling out this online survey right away. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXUALqOA_hJ7mjFjc28tJ-f-XnhCDD1pLBj_EgNrN4EuySMg/viewform

– Dean Justin Vazquez-Poritz

I wish everyone the best, and I thank you for your patience and adaptability as we navigate these unpredictable events. I will post a Daily Attendance Quiz as well as Lesson 14 in the morning.
-Prof. Reitz

Coronavirus Update: Getting ready for distance learning

Hi everyone,

These are challenging times, filled with unknowns – I know everyone’s lives have been turned upside down. I, and the rest of the faculty at CUNY, are pushing ourselves to learn new technology tools and to think creatively about how we will continue your college education from a distance. I wanted to post a brief update today, to let you know more details about how our class will be run going forward, and to give you a chance to ask questions (feel free to comment on this post).

What’s going on in terms of our class right now? Right now, all of CUNY is in a “recess period” until tomorrow (Wednesday 3/18) – this means that our classes are on pause. On Thursday 3/19 we will officially resume class, but through distance-learning only (we will not meet face-to-face).

When will we meet again face-to-face? CUNY has announced that classes will not meet face-to-face for the rest of the semester.

How will we hold class if we are not meeting face-to-face? Great question. Over the next few weeks we may try a few different things, but this Thursday our class will work as follows: I will post a lesson on the OpenLab, including some things to read and some videos to watch. I will also assign WeBWorK based on this material, and provide some different methods for you to ask me questions.

How will exams be handled? I still don’t have an answer to this, although we are considering a variety of options. Our next exam (originally scheduled for this Thursday) is cancelled for now – it may be rescheduled, or replaced with quizzes, or some other solution.

What if I have questions? For questions on WeBWorK, I encourage you to use the “Ask for Help” button at the bottom of every problem. This will take you to the WeBWorK Question and Answer site on the OpenLab, and (once logged into the OpenLab) will allow you to ask a question about that specific problem, and view questions and answers that others have asked about that problem. NOTE: Your question will be anonymous, so no-one (except me) will know that you wrote it.

For general questions, feel free to post on this OpenLab page (either comment, or create a new post), or send me an email: jreitz (at) citytech.cuny.edu.

What if I need more practice? I have enabled the “Show Me Another” feature in WeBWorK (the Show Me Another button appears at the bottom of the problem, next to “Submit Answers”). This gives you a chance to work on a similar problem, without affecting your WeBWorK score. You can check your answers and look at hints.

That’s it for now – check your email and the OpenLab regularly for updates. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Best regards,
Prof. Reitz

Coronavirus Update: No class tomorrow (3/12) or Tuesday (3/17) – future classes will be online

Hi everyone,

As you may have heard, CUNY is taking a number of steps to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.  These include:

  • Classes are cancelled 3/12 through 3/18 (this Thursday through next Wednesday).  During this time, faculty will be working to transition to “distance-learning” or “online learning.”
  • Starting next Thursday 3/19, classes will be held in “distance-learning mode.”  This means you will NOT be coming in to the college for class – instead, we will be using technology to continue class activities for the semester.

What does this mean for our class?

  • We will be working hard to figure this out!
    • We are not yet sure how class will be conducted — everyone at the college is thinking about this very problem.
    • Your responses to the survey (posted on Tuesday morning) will be a big help in figuring this out. Please complete the survey if you have not done so!
  • OpenLab
    • For our class, the OpenLab will be the main method of communication.  As we come to decisions about how we will manage the class online, I will post updates here.
    • If you are not yet a member of the OpenLab, I encourage you to set up an account and then Join this class — then you will receive email notifications whenever I post.
  • Exam #2
    • Your next exam, previously scheduled for next Thursday 3/19, is cancelled for now. Updates will be provided next week.
  • WeBWorK
    • Your current WeBWorK homework assigned on Tuesday this week (Rational Functions – Domains, Intercepts, Asymptotes) will be due one week later than planned, on Tuesday, March 24th.
    • The upcoming WeBWorK homework on Polynomial Inequalities and Rational Inequalities will also be postponed.

What can I do?

Keep your eyes on the OpenLab for future announcements. Keep studying and doing your WeBWorK. Stay calm. Stay alert. Wash your hands often. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Past experience shows that troubled times bring out the best in New Yorkers, and I believe this is no exception.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me (by email, or by leaving a comment below) if you have questions or concerns.

Best regards,
Prof. Reitz

Coronavirus update and SURVEY

Hi everyone,

I know this is a difficult time and it is hard to know how worried to be, or what is the right action to take, in the face of the Covid-19 coronavirus.  I ask for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this public health challenge together.  I’m here to pass along some information from the college, and to ask for your input.

From the Provost: At this point–although it could change quickly–the college is open, and our general message is that unless a faculty member or a student has tested positive for the virus or has good reason to believe they may have been exposed, they should come to class.

In order to be prepared in the event that the college does cancel class meetings, I’m asking you all to complete the brief survey below about your access to technology and ability to participate in various ways from off-campus.

If you have concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to email me or speak to me directly.

Any updates that I receive will be posted to the OpenLab.

Thanks,
Prof. Reitz

Readiness for Off-Campus Participation in Class

In the event that you are not able to attend class, or that class meetings are cancelled, please describe your ability to connect to classroom resources from home/off campus.

  • Please indicate your ability to participate in the following resources from home/off-campus.
  • I can access to the internet via a smartphone
  • I can access the internet with a tablet / iPad
  • I can access the internet by laptop or desktop computer
  • I can watch video (with sound).
  • I can watch live streaming video from off-campus during regularly scheduled class times.
  • I can connect to a group video chat, conference call, or other online meeting during classtime (that is, I have a webcam or smartphone and internet access with a sufficient data plan)
  • I can access the WeBWorK system from off-campus, to complete homework assignments.
  • I can access the OpenLab (reading posts, making comments) from off-campus.
  • I have access to email from off-campus
  • I, or someone I live with, has chronic lung disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or a compromised immune system
  • Is there anything else you think I should know, that might have some bearing on your ability to participate in class? Do you have any concerns you'd like to share?

Exam #1 Grades are posted on the OpenLab

Hi everyone,

Exam #1 has been graded and will be returned Thursday (tomorrow).  If you are a member of this class on the OpenLab, you can view your grade at:

Dashboard/OpenLab GradeBook

(the Dashboard is accessible by clicking the name of the course in the black bar at the very top of this page, provided you are logged in to the OpenLab and already a member of the course).

Best regards,
Prof. Reitz

Exam #1 Review Answer Key – CORRECTIONS

Hi everyone,

I made two corrections to the Exam #1 Review Answer Key, as follows:

Problem 8c, the correct answer is:  $(f\circ g)(x) = \sqrt{2x-16}$, domain $D_{f\circ g} = [8,\inf)$.

Problem 9c, the correct answer is:  $h^{-1}(x)=\frac{1-x}{2x}$.

If you see any additional errors, please let me know!

Best,

Prof. Reitz

Calendar Update: Exam #1 will be next Tuesday, 2/25

Hi everyone,

The first exam has been moved from this Thursday 2/20 to next Tuesday 2/25.  A review sheet is available here (solutions will be provided later this week). If you have questions you can ask me in class (time for review questions will be limited, but I will answer if I can) or in my office hours – or send me your questions by email.

The TI-84 Calculator (or similar) may be used during the exam, but you may not use your cell phone or other electronic devices.

Good luck with your studies!
Prof. Reitz

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