Joe Calhoun
Principles of Macroeconomics
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
Aplia & Cengagebrain
What are these?
Cengage is the publisher of aicroeconomics: Private and Public Choice, 14th edition by
Gwartney, Stroup, Sobel and Macpherson (i.e. the main textbook for the course).
Cengage purchased the company that owns Aplia, which was developed as a homeworkonly web site. Cengagebrain was created to be the gateway to purchase all Cengage
products- paper books, ebooks, and online homework.
When you purchase the bundle package that gets you the loose-leaf version of the book,
instant online access to the book, and the optional Aplia homework, you must create a
Cengagebrain account and pay immediately.
You have the option of creating a Cengagebrain account and getting instant, but limited,
access to the online book and the Aplia homework. You can view the site until
September 15. During that time, you can read the first few chapters of the book and
answer homework questions. If you choose not to buy, you will be locked out of the site
but your homework scores will be saved. I will download them at the due date and give
you the credit you deserve.
If I used Aplia or Cengagebrain before in a different class, do I have to pay again?
Yes, because each course, book, and assignments are different. You do not need to create
a new account and password. Use the same ones as before. Type in the new course key
to enroll in the new course. The course key is posted on Blackboard.
When do I need to pay for Aplia?
You have an initial grace period up to September 15 to use the site for free. Select “pay
later” once you enroll. Make sure to pay by the expiration of the grace period.
What if I can’t pay by the expiration of the grace period?
Pay as soon as you can. After the grace period you will be blocked from the site. You
will be allowed access again once you pay. Any previous assignments will be saved so
you can look at them again.
How can I check my scores?
From the main page, click on the “view course outline” link then scroll down to Week 16.
You will see a list of each assignment and the corresponding score. Click on the score to
see exactly which questions you answered correctly and incorrectly. Aplia also provides
an explanation for each answer after the assignment has been graded.
Can I buy separate access to Aplia just for the homework? I already bought the book
and don’t want an electronic copy but I do want the homework.
Aplia only offers a bundled package that includes both the book and homework. There is
no way to split the two.
Clickers (TurningPoint Transmitters)
Can I use an iClicker in class?
Starting Fall 2010, FSU terminated its support and use of eInstruction’s Personal Response
System (PRS) clickers. Instructors on campus will choose either iClicker or TurningPoint to use
in class. Therefore it is possible that you will be expected to purchase two different clickers for
different classes. The use of clickers is becoming more popular around campus so you should use
either clicker multiple times during your FSU career. I will only use TurningPoint in class.
How is the clicker portion of my grade calculated?
You will bring your transmitter to class and answer several questions each day. Most questions
will be scored as follows: three points for a correct answer and one point for an incorrect
answer. Other questions will be scored differently but communicated to you immediately after
the question. You will be awarded at least one point for each answer. At the end of the semester
I will convert clicker points into class dollars according to the following scale:
75% or more of clicker points obtained = $700 (maximum)
Less than 75% of clicker points obtained = the percent you received X $700.
For example, if you earn 60% of the points, you will receive $420. The remaining $280
will be moved to your final exam.
Is a used clicker acceptable or do I need to buy a new one?
Used clickers are just fine. Please double-check the battery life and ensure you have
registered the device ID in Blackboard.
Do I need to buy a separate clicker for your class?
No, buying a clicker is a one-time purchase. The same clicker can be used in several
classes during the same semester and over several different semesters.
Can my friend and I share a clicker?
It’s my understanding that two students can use the same clicker in the same semester.
When you register on Blackboard, your registration goes into a course-specific data file.
Each of your instructors pulls from that unique file for that course. If you register clicker
number 123456 under your name then your friend registers the same clicker under his/her
name, your information will be saved for your class and your friend’s information will be
saved for his/her class.
What kind of batteries does a clicker use?
The clicker uses 2 AAA batteries. Unscrew the back of the clicker to pull out the old
ones.
What if I didn’t answer one question during class or don’t have my clicker at all?
Don’t worry, since you only need 75% of the points to receive full credit you can miss a
couple of class periods or several questions and still receive full credit.
I finally noticed after two weeks that I wasn’t getting any clicker points. I realized I
didn’t register my clicker on Blackboard. Can you fix my score?
I will only make manual adjustments for extraordinary circumstances. It’s your
responsibility to register your device.
How will I know if I’m receiving clicker points?
I will post daily scores in the Blackboard gradebook and also provide a running total of
clicker points.
Creative Application
How many creative applications can I submit?
One. Choose one from the options listed on the syllabus that best fits your creative style
so that you can earn the maximum dollar amount.
Can I work in a group?
Yes, one group may be as large as 3 people. Each of you will submit the file(s) on
Blackboard and inform me of the group members. Each person will receive the same
amount. Group members can be from a different section of my Macro class.
Am I guaranteed the dollar amount listed on the syllabus?
No, partial credit may be applied. The listed dollar amount is the maximum amount you
can earn.
When can I submit the application?
The Blackboard link will become available in early October and you will have until midnight on
November 4 to submit your project.
Exams
Details of exam procedures are provided on the syllabus and in the document titled “CAT
Student Responsibilities” found on Blackboard.
How many questions are on each exam?
There are 25 multiple choice questions on each of the three midterm exams, and 80
questions on the final.
How long do I have to complete each exam?
You will have 45 minutes for each midterm in the testing center. You will have two
hours for the final exam.
Can I see the questions and answers for each midterm?
Yes. After everyone has finished taking the exam, you can click on your score in the
gradebook. The exam questions, your answers, and the correct answers will appear.
Do we still have class on exam days?
We will have regular class on midterm exam days.
Final Exam
When is our final exam?
ECO2013-03 Principles of Macroeconomics at 1:25 MWF will have the final exam on
Friday, December 13 from 7:30 to 9:30 am in HCB 101.
ECO2013-04 Principles of Macroeconomics at 2:30 MWF will have the final exam on
Friday, December 13 from 10:00 to Noon in HCB 101.
Can I take the final exam at a different time, perhaps with your other course?
Maybe, if you have one of the following reasons: (1) Four or more final exams within a
24-hour period around your scheduled exam; (2) Another exam scheduled at the same
time as your exam; (3) A documented medical emergency; (4) Some other documented
extraordinary event.
Both of my classes are at capacity so there will be a limited number of seats. Unless you
have one of the above documented reasons, you need to take your exam as scheduled.
Help Desk
Starting with the third week of classes and continuing through the last week of classes,
the Economics Department offers a free Help Desk to undergraduate students. The Help
Desk is located in 205 Bellamy and is open from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through
Thursday and 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday. Graduate students from the department are
available to answer questions about any Economics course. The room is equipped with
computers so you can also log on to Blackboard or Aplia to ask specific questions.
Office Hours
Do you need to schedule an appointment during regular office hours?
No, just stop by. I will see students on a first-come, first-served basis during regular
office hours.
What if you cannot attend regular office hours?
Please email me requesting a specific date and time. I will check my schedule and find a
mutually convenient time to see you. I am usually on campus every day.
Quizzes
When do the quizzes become available on Blackboard?
Each quiz will typically be posted at least two days before it’s due.
When are the quizzes due?
They will be due on various days depending on when we start and finish chapters. The
due dates will be posted to the announcements section on Blackboard and emailed to you.
What do I do if a symbol appears as my score.
It will essentially be treated as a zero. Remember that only your top ten scores count
toward your grade.
Why does a symbol appear as my score?
Common reasons for a symbol are having multiple browser windows open for the same quiz, not
clicking submit at the end of the quiz, clicking on the back arrow in your browser after you click
submit (which causes Blackboard to think you’re starting over), or starting a quiz but closing your
browser window without clicking submit.
Are there any makeups for quizzes?
There are no makeups because only your top ten scores count toward your grade.
Can I use my notes or the book to help me answer quiz questions?
Yes, you may use any materials to assist you. That is, quizzes are open-book, open-note
questions. You may even discuss the questions with classmates. Just don’t copy answers from
someone.
How can I find out which questions I answered incorrectly? Can I see the questions and answers
after I take the quiz?
When you submit your answers you should immediately receive a score. When the quiz due date
and time have passed, the view parameters will be changed in Blackboard so that you can see the
question, your answer, and the correct answer. This is not an automated process; I must click a
few buttons in Blackboard and I will try to do that soon after the quiz is over.
Textbook
The main textbook is Macroeconomics, Private and Public Choice, 14th edition by Gwartney,
Stroup, Sobel, and Macpherson. The 13th edition is acceptable for most chapters but you will be
at a disadvantage for several chapters because of the revisions made to the 14th edition. I
recommend you obtain the 14th edition.