Introductory Physics 203 | Learning Tools |
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Throughout the term we will be using a number of different learning tools software. Here you can learn where and how each tool fits into the curriculum. Each one of them serves a very specific purpose and was chosen based on cost, accessibility, and functionality. We hope you find our mostly free solutions the right tool for job.
General Course Tools
Official course website with access to everything you need including the syllabus, calendar, learning modules, and more. BoxSand also houses all necessary study resources including pre/post lecture videos, textbook, infographics, equation sheets, and more. Everything you will ever need is linked to on the BoxSand Calendar.
Canvas is used to deliver the pre/post lecture homework and reflective writing exercises. All of these are also accessible on the BoxSand Calendar. Canvas can also be used to check the gradebook.
Gradescope is a better grading system for handwritten work. You will turn in your challenge homework and pre-labs here. Exams will also be graded using Gradescope.
OneNote is the best solution for note taking and general organization. It is ideal for integrating handwriting from a tablet with digital content such as problem statements and figures. We use it to organize the entire curriculum and you can use the lecture templates to follow along during lecture. Feel free to do your homework on OneNote and print as a PDF to be uploaded to Gradescope. OneNote is part of the Microsoft Office Suite.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the default PDF reader.
Slack is a communication tool to enable easy online interaction. There are channels for general study and random conversation. You can use the general study channel to meet up with friends, ask questions about the class, interact with Learning Assistants, and create your own breakout rooms with audio, video, and shared whiteboards.
Zoom is a video conferencing platform for real-time video and audio chat. It is integrated into Slack such that you can type /zoom in any channel and start a Zoom session. The link above goes to the general OSU Zoom page where you can start more general sessions not associated with this class. Zoom enables shared screens and digital whiteboards. Zoom and Slack are used to bring people closer.
Lecture Tools
Learning Cataltyics is the best real-time polling tool we can find. It will be used during lecture sessions. An access code can be purchased at the OSU Bookstore or online here. To set it up follow the instructions here. Once you've done that you're ready to go. At the beginning of each class a Session ID will be written on the board and you'll enter that to join the session.
You might want to consider using a tablet in this class. OneNote is the best organization tool that incorporates hand written work with digital content. You can access the class lecture templates from the calendar and then fill them out during lecture while you follow along.