HOW TO DO THE MUDDIEST POINT DISCUSSION ACTIVITY Before you start the discussion board, please read, and follow the directions. Otherwise, you may receive a zero even if you complete the work. If you are not clear about the directions, please e-mail me first and clarify before you start the assignment. In this section, you are going to post one question (only one) about the muddiest point on the current module. You can ask any question regarding the PowerPoint lecture, OWL homework, or the virtual laboratory. You must post a muddiest point even if you do not have a question. Make your post about the part that you feel least confident about. The purpose of the muddiest point is to find out the least clear or the most confusing part of the module and to achieve a better/deeper understanding through the discussion between you and your classmates. When you explain a concept or steps to your classmate, it confirms that you understand the material. Additionally, your classmates get to see how you solved the problem. Here is an example: Muddiest point I am confused about the use of scientific notation in metric prefix conversions and what causes the exponent to change. For example, in question xxx of the homework, this is how I set it up: ? meters= 3600 sec x 3.00 x 108m =10800= 1.08 x 1012 meters 1 sec So it looks to me like the reason the exponent is 12, is because 1.0800 and 108 + 104= 10 12 . This made sense to me. Is this the correct way of looking at it? The reason I ask is because in the previous problem, the exponents did not add up but were subtracted, that’s why I am not sure if this way of looking at it is correct. Thanks! Reply The way I did it, you have to use unit factors. I hour=3600 seconds which is the same as 1hour/3600s or 3600s/1hr We were given the velocity of light: 3.00 x 108 m/s. So, (3.00 x 1010 m) x (3600 s ) = 108,000,000,000,000 m =1.08 x 1012 m s 1hr hr hr This means that light travels at 1.08 x 1012 meters in one hour. Remember that the seconds cancel out and the only values left are meters and hours and since it is only asking for one hour you can leave the answer in just meters. Rules to follow when posting the muddiest point Your post must be done before Friday, midnight. You must reply to at least two classmates by Sunday, midnight. You must post your muddiest point first before replying to your classmates. If you don’t post your question first and reply to your classmates, points will be deducted. Before you can post your question, you must read the previous postings first and make sure your question is not repetitive. If there are two of the same question, the person who posted it first will receive the points. The person who posted it later will receive a zero. If your question is similar to your classmate’s, your question can be more specific. You are welcome to use a question from your textbook/homework or the PowerPoint. You will need to reply to two of your classmates. However, you must be either the first person or second person to reply. To receive points for your replies, you must reply their questions with helpful hints or guidance or how you might approach the question (i.e. explain step by step manner) etc… Comments such as “I don’t know how to do that either” or “study more” will not receive any points. In addition, if you are the second person to reply to the question, do not repeat or agree with the first person who replied. In this case, you will not receive any points. You must explain your approach/solution using your own words. You’re welcome to share a video link or website when replying to a muddiest point. However, you will still need to explain the video using your own words. In other word, if you just post a link to a video, you will not receive any points. Don’t wait until the last minute to reply. No late work is accepted. Grading rubric: Muddiest Point Rubric - 2 due dates Ratings Criteria Initial post by Friday 11:59 pm 30.0 pts, Full Marks 0.0 pts, No Marks Initial post is made by Friday midnight. Initial post is made by Friday, midnight. Initial post is made after Friday midnight. Posting order 10.0 pts, Full Marks 0.0 pts, No Marks Muddiest point post is made before replying to other posts. A reply is given before posting own muddiest point. A muddiest point must be posted before replying to other posts. Originality The muddiest point post must be original and is not a repeat of any of the previous posts. Two replies to posts Two replies must be given to previous posts. Helpful and original replies Replies to classmates' posts must provide helpful hints, guidance, insight, solutions steps etc. Pts 30 pts 10 pts 20 pts 20.0 pts, Full Marks 0.0 pts, No Marks The muddiest point post is original and is not a repeat of any of the previous posts. The posted muddiest point is a repeat of a previous post. 20.0 pts Full Marks 10.0 pts, Only 1 reply Two replies have been given. Only 1 reply is given to previous posts. 20.0 pts Full Marks 10.0 pts Only 1 helpful reply Both replies are helpful. Only 1 helpful reply 20 pts 0.0 pts, No Marks No replies are given to previous posts. 20 pts 0.0 pts, No Marks None of the replies are helpful. Total: 100 pts