What are you doing here? (Multiple choice question)

A.      My major is Computer Science and I am very serious about learning all I can about this subject.
B.      My major is something else, but I need this class and I want a good grade.
C.      I don't care and I would like to get an easy A.
D.      I am shopping for a class and I thought it would be easy to get into this one.
E.       None of the above

 Answers:

A)     Of course, that is the right answer.  Will that be your answer in 6 or 8 weeks?  Do you have the motivation to work hard toward this goal for 12 weeks?
B)      That is an acceptable answer.  I can live with that.  Maybe I'll change your answer to A during this class.  And maybe you want a class that is easier to get a good grade. This one won't be.
C)      That is not going to happen.
D)     That is a correct answer.  So, what are your plans now?  Keep a low profile, stay out of the way?  I don't like this answer.  Yes, you are going to pay the fees to get into the class (and maybe waste those fees), but are you taking up someone else's seat in the class?
E)      So, what are you doing here?

I think most students will answer A or B.  I am quite skeptical if you do not.  What is most important to me is how you will answer the question 8 weeks from now.  I think, today, you are probably quite motivated, as I am.  But where will you be 2/3 of the way through the class?  Will you be as motivated as you are today?  I will be.  I promise to not let up.  I promise to work hard through the entire class.  I promise to do my best to help you succeed.  I promise to do my best to help you succeed even if you flake out one or two times.  I withhold that promise if you flake out repeatedly.  In that case, I have better things to do with my time.  There is no teacher on campus that cares as much about your success as I do and there is no teacher that will work as hard as I will toward your success.  If you commit, I will.  If you do not, I will not.  That is fair. 

Class meets 4 days a week

Hey, did you notice that this class meets 4 days a week and all the other sections of CIS22A meet only 2 days a week?  What's that about?  When I first heard of the plan to have a CIS22A class meet 4 days a week, my thought was - what a great idea - students will have to think about and be exposed to C++ twice as often, just like some math classes.  That was until I realized that I would have to drive in to class 4 days a week instead of 2 days.  That's a bummer!

The Bad News

The Reality

If you can handle the schedule 4 days a week (that's 43 class meetings) and stay motivated, you will be exposed to C++ much more often.  It is easier to concentrate on a 50 minute lecture than it is to concentrate on a 100 minute lecture.  You will have more opportunity to meet will Joe before or after class when you need to.  I strongly believe that this class format (4 days a week) will result in a better learning experience.  4 days a week (plus a final) will get old, but if your goal is real learning, then you will have that opportunity.  I hope you do not miss a class and that you stay motivated for every class.  I will.