Date: Mon Oct 14 07:05:57 PDT 2002
Student's Name: Maureen
Answer(or question to Mentor): I think the lightning is 6.2 miles away because it takes 5 seconds for sound to travel 1 mile so if it takes 32 seconds for the thunder to sound after the lightning you would divide the 2 numbers to get 6.2 miles.
Date: Wed Oct 16 12:45:14 PDT 2002
Student's Name: Maureen
Answer(or question to Mentor): 1. I don’t understand this question. Could you explain it to me?
2. I think lightning strikes the earth 600 times per minute, 3,600 times per hour, 86,400 per day, 604,800 per week, about 1,844,400 per month, and about 12,132,800 per year because I multiplied all by a the number of seconds in each item.
Date: Thu Oct 17 19:58:36 PDT 2002
Student's Name: Maureen
Mentor Reply: Maureen,
I am pleased that you submitted an answer for both the
question of the week and the challenge problems. For
your first response, you were on the right track, but
could you explain what 2 numbers you divided and why?
I think I know what 2 numbers you had in mind, and if
so, then you may want to check your calculation to try
to get the correct answer. For the first challenge
problem, I suggest you start with trying to figure out
how many miles lightning travels in one second. The
rest is conversion (Hint:1 mile=5280 feet). You had
an answer for each part in question 2; however, I do
not know what numbers you used to multiply to get
your answers. Could you please explain in detail what
numbers you used to multiply and why? I think you have
the right ideas in mind, so I would check your
calculations and maybe you'll get the correct answers.
I anxiously await your response.
Elvene
Date: Fri Oct 18 16:05:15 PDT 2002
Student's Name: Maureen
Instructor Comments:
Elvene,
Nice beginning. I would be more direct in your second sentence: say that although she was on the right track, the answer she submitted was incorrect. As it stands now, she could think that her answer was correct, but she simply didn't explain it well enough. Also, I think it is pretty clear which two numbers she divided, so I wouldn't ask her to spell that out. I do agree with you however that she needs to explain why she divided. That is a great question. Maybe you could say something like, "Suppose you wanted to explain your thinking to a friend in your class who was confused. Can you find a way to explain why division makes sense?"
I have the same reaction for your response to her challenge problems: were her answers correct? I believe that being as direct as possible helps the students to interpret what you are saying. So, are you saying that she was right but she needed to explain what numbers she was multiplying, or were her answers incorrect and you were asking her to check the numbers she used? Finally, I think saying that you "anxiously" await her reponse could be taken as cynical. Could you just say that you are "looking forward to her response?"
Dr. Bowers
Date: Sun Oct 20 10:15:06 PDT 2002
Student's Name: Maureen
Mentor Reply: Maureen,
I am pleased that you submitted an answer for both the
question of the week and the challenge problems. For
your first response, you were on the right track, but
you got an incorrect answer of 6.2. You should probably
check your calculations. Also, suppose you wanted to
explain your thinking to a friend in your class who was
confused. Can you find a way to explain why division
makes sense? For the first challenge problem, I
suggest you start with trying to figure out how many
miles lightning travels in one second. The rest is
conversion (Hint:1 mile=5280 feet). You had an answer
for each part in question 2; however, they are
incorrect. I think you have the right ideas in mind,
so I would check your calculations and maybe you'll
get the correct answers. I am looking forward to your
response.
Elvene
Date: Sun Oct 27 07:25:44 PST 2002
Student's Name: Maureen
Mentor Reply: Maureen,
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Elvene
