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