Date: Wed Oct 30 18:27:54 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Answer(or question to Mentor): Abigail, The answer is the storm surged
2 1/2 feet in 2002. 5 feet were left dry. This is how I got my answer: 1)I drew
a picure of his house on stilts. 2)Then, I divided each stilt into fourths. Then,
I saw that 2 of the 3 parts of the stilts that were out of the ground were dry
and the two were 5 feet. Then I assumed that the other 1/4 of the pole that was
under ground and the other part above the ground must be 5 feet so, the whole
stilt was 10 feet long. So, that would be 2 1/2 feet high and 7 1/2 feet left
dry. ~Ashley~
Date: Thu Oct 31 13:41:22 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Mentor Reply: Ashley
This is a pretty good start, but you got an incorrect answer. Check your math
and make sure that you are not rounding your numbers. I like how you drew a picture
to help you, but could you please write me back and explain to me where you got
the 7 1/2 ft from. Also, try the problem again and see if you get different answers.
Keep up the good effort.
-Abigail
Date: Fri Nov 1 13:12:43 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Instructor Comments: Abigail,
I think her answer is an excellent start! In fact, I would be inclined to start
the letter more positively to state that she clearly explained what she did in
a very conceptual way: we can see how she partitioned her diagram really nicely,
and this approach gave her an accurate picture of what was going on. Her only
problem was that she figured out how high the water was in 2000, not in 2002.
I think you should tell her this, and then ask her to go back and re-read the
problem to figure out what information she can use to figure out how high the
water was in 2002. This will give her a specific description of what you would
ike her to do. Then, encourage her to do the challenge problem.
I am not sure why you are asking her about rounding. What rounding did she do?
Also, if she said that the whole stilt was 10 ft long and she had figured that
1/4 of that (2.5) was wet, then it is pretty clear that she subtracted to get
the 7 1/2 so I don't think you need to ask her to explain that more fully.
Hope this makes sense. These are tricky to read!
Dr. Bowers
Date: Sat Nov 2 09:11:21 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Mentor Reply: Ashley
This is a great start. You clearly explained your diagram nicely and conceptually.
This diagram helps to give you an accurate picture of what was going on. I think
you figured out how high the water was in 2000, not 2002. Why don't you go back
to the problem and see if the information can help you figure out how high the
water was for 2002 and respond back to me. If this is easy for you, go ahead and
try the challenge problem. Keep up the great work.
-Abigail
Date: Thu Nov 7 18:33:28 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Answer(or question to Mentor): Abigail, I do not understand how high the
water was in 2002 can you help me? Thanks. ~Ashley~
Date: Wed Nov 13 09:22:10 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Mentor Reply: Ashley
I know the last problem was a little tricky, but go ahead and start working on the next one and we can go back later if we need to. Good luck.
-Abigail
Date: Sun Nov 17 15:29:13 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Mentor Reply: Ashley
I am looking forward to hearing your response to the next problem. Good Luck.
-Abigail
Date: Mon Nov 18 14:11:06 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Answer(or question to Mentor): Abigail,
The answer is 3.10 and 16.82. I figured it out by adding all of them together and then finding out the remainder. I did the same thing to find out the other answer too. Sorry I did not write you earlier, I forgot my password.
Ashley
Date: Mon Nov 18 19:37:48 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Mentor Reply: Ashley
This is pretty good work, but I am not sure I understand what the 3.10 is. Is that your answer for part A? Also, 16.82 is pretty close to the answer I got for the second part, but check your numbers after the decimal. Write me back and tell me what the numbers were that you added together to get your answers. Keep up the good work.
-Abigail
Date: Wed Nov 20 11:37:00 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Instructor Comments: Abigail,
I appreciate the fact that it is difficult to write to a student who provides incorrect and unlabeled answers and also doesn't describe the solution very well. However, I think saying "pretty good job" may be confusing to her. Last time you used that expression, I suggested you say something more positive. This time, I think you mean something more negative. So, how about saying "Thanks for trying IMP #3. Although your answers are incorrect, your explanation indicates that you appear to have the correct approach. So, can you provide some further elaboration describing which numbers you added together so that I can help you find your error?" You can go on to say that 16.82 is close for question #1, but if she could explain what numbers she used to make that fraction, she would be giving a more complete answer.
---Abby-- for your information--- Initially, there was a question asking how many calories are in a hamburger, but that was inadvertently deleted. So, I think I would write back and say that there are currently two questions: --- and describe each --- and then say that the answer of 3.10 is not correct for either of them. Then, just as you did, ask her to explain with numbers how she computed 16.82, and what that refers to.
Dr. Bowers
Date: Thu Nov 21 12:11:13 PST 2002
Student's Name: Ashley
Mentor Reply: Ashley
Thank you for trying IMP #3. Although your answers are incorrect, your explanations appear that you have the correct approach. Can you further elaborate you explanations so that I can help you find your error? Keep trying and good effort.
-Abigail
