GGR 272 F  Geographic Information and Mapping I


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

On this page you find many questions (and ANSWERS) to some of the things you might wonder about at some point in this course. Any general issues about lectures, labs, and exams are covered here.

 

LECTURES

Are your PowerPoint files available on the web?

My files are not available on the web. Generally, students become less motivated to attend class if they know they can always download the files later.  If you miss a class, please ask to borrow notes from a classmate.

 

I missed a class - can I get your PowerPoint file?

No.  You are responsible for making sure you attend every class. If you must miss a class, please please ask to borrow notes from a classmate.

 

You show a lot of text in your PowerPoint slides - how am I supposed to copy it all down?

You are not expected to write down every word on every slide.  One of the skills you have to develop is knowing how to "filter" information.  I will often provide numerous examples, or background information to help illustrate and/or discuss a topic.  I try to emphasize the salient points, but you must also determine what you feel is important.  Having said that, please feel free to ask me to slow down or back up a bit if you feel I'm going through something too quickly.

 

I didn't understand a section in your lecture.  What should I do?

There are several things you can do:

  • Ask questions during lectures.  It is much easier to clarify a point or provide an alternate explanation at the time as opposed to coming back to it later. 

  • Approach me at the end of the class.  I try to set aside a few minutes at the end of each lecture, but please understand if I have to get to another appointment.

  • See me during my office hours.  I set aside time each week so that students can see me about questions and concerns regarding the course.  Please try to see me during these hours, but if you are not able to, ask to make an appointment at an alternate time.

  • E-mail me.  If your question is fairly straightforward, you can contact me by e-mail. 

  • Ask a classmate.  Get to know people in your class, and discuss the lectures with them.  You'll find that they can often help.

What can I do to help maintain a professional atmosphere?

Your behavior in class can contribute to a professional atmosphere.  Please keep the following in mind:

  • Attend every lecture.  There is a lot of material covered in lectures that is not in the text.  Do not rely on cramming at the end of the term, or getting someone else's notes.  If you don't come to class, you will not do well in the course.  There is no substitute for being there.  Besides, you paid your tuition - don't shortchange yourself!

  • Do the readings.  The chapters for each course topic are outlined in the course schedule.  You will get more out of the lectures if you do the readings in advance.  If you haven't, then make sure you read assigned chapters soon after the lecture, so that the concepts are still fresh in your mind.

  • Don't be late.  Arriving late for class shows a lack of respect for your classmates.  There will be times when it is unavoidable, so if you must arrive late, come in quietly.

  • Turn off your cell phone.  A ringing cell phone is very distracting.

  • Don't read the newspaper.  There are quieter places to read the paper! 

LABS

I'm experiencing a technical problem with the software and/or hardware.  What should I do?

Part of becoming proficient with GIS is learning to deal with technical problems.  If you experience an error, or some form of malfunction, do the following, in order:

  • Ask another student.  Chances are good that someone around you has seen the problem before, and can help you out.

  • Ask your TA.  They may also have seen the problem before and can advise you.

  • Contact Bruce Huang. Bruce provides technical support for the GIS lab.  If you see something wrong, please let him know immediately.  His office is near the GIS lab, in room 610, or you can send him an e-mail.  It is much easier for him to troubleshoot a problem at the time, than long after the fact.  Don't assume that someone else has already notified him.

I think there is an error in the way my assignment was marked.  What should I do?

If you feel there has been a mistake in marking, or that you were marked unfairly, then see your TA, either in the lab, or during the TA's office hours.  If you feel that the issue still has not been resolved, then see me about it.

 

Can I get an extension on my assignment?

The deadlines for each assignment are given well in advance.  You are expected to hand in every assignment on time.  Official documentation is required if there is a medical reason why you can not meet the deadline, and must be produced within 5 days of the missed deadline.

 

Can I switch lab sections?

You must attend the lab section that you are assigned.  If you need to change sections permanently, ask the TA of that section for permission.  Do not skip your lab session and then expect to be able to sit in on another section.

 

When I load a map layer into ArcMap, an error message appears and a red exclamation mark appears next to the layer name in the table of contents.  What does this mean?

A map layer file only stores information about where the original data is stored and how to display it.  The red exclamation mark indicates that ArcMap can't find the source data file.  This usually happens when the source data has been moved.  Right-click on the layer name, and select Data--> Set data source... and browse to the original data source file.  This will update the location of your data set in ArcMap, and it should now be displayed properly.

 

I have been working on the same question for hours, what should I do?

While it is important to show discipline and determination, if you are unable to work out how to do something in a reasonable amount of time, please ask your TA or your instructor.  You don't get marks based on total time spent on an assignment, so try to work efficiently and make use of available resources.

 

 

EXAMS

Does the final exam cover the whole term?

Yes.  There is usually more emphasis on the second half of the term, but you are expected to know all the material from the entire term.

 

There's so much material - what should I study?

You may feel that there is an overwhelming amount of information that you are expected to know.  Develop a studying strategy.  Start with the lecture material.  Break the course into sections, and then subsections.  What are the main concepts?  How do they relate to each other?  Then review the text readings.  How do they relate to the lectures?  Review the lab assignments.  The assignment questions are designed to complement concepts taught in lectures. 

 

Should I study the lab assignments?

Yes.  The assignment questions are designed to complement concepts taught in lectures.  Concentrate on the ideas and concepts that you were working on.  It is unlikely that you will be asked about specific software details, unless they were discussed in class.