Subject: [mat2705] the official welcome message from your instructor

Dear MAT2705 Jantzen section of DEwLinAlg
 (as of this date),
 
 Hi. This is a welcome message from your math instructor, bob jantzen.
 I look forward to working with you during the coming semester here at Villanova.

You should immediately register and enter our e-textbook portal before the first day of class
following these instructions (now is better than later!):

• 2705-004 MWF/T 10:20/11:35
  

• 2705-005 MWF/T 11:30/12:45

Most of our homework will be managed there, together with access to our e-textbook.
You have two weeks to pay for access after joining the class.
[The cheapest option is direct from the publisher for $69.99, see this explanation.]

Our course will be in online delivery mode through the VU Zoom scheduled link in the Villanova course managment system Blackboard that you access with your standard Villanova username and password at the scheduled times in the calendar. There is a link "VU Zoom" in the left margin navigation of our BlackBoard class site. Each class Zoom session will be recorded for those students who miss class for whatever reason, but class time allows interactivity between students and instructor as in an actual classroom. Class attendence will be taken, so be sure to email bob if you miss class to explain. Any excuse is valid, but please communicate with bob.

You can learn about me from my homepage:
  http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/robert.jantzen/  [or directly: dr bob, who is this guy?]
 
 and about our class this semester from its homepage
where all of our online class activities will be directed
  http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/robert.jantzen/courses/mat2705/

                     >>>   direct homework page link <<<<
  

 This includes some of my scanned old tests and quizzes and all their answer
 keys [and expanded maple worksheet answer keys to show additional
 features]  to give you an idea of what I expect, the syllabus, an on-line class
 and homework log, which will be added to daily as assignments are given out for each class,
 and general advice about the course.

Quizzes and tests will be scanned using the super easy and automated
FREE cell phone scanning app Adobe Scan (install it now from wherever
 you download apps!) and uploaded into BlackBoard. Your first nongraded
quiz 0 is a practice run, due the 3rd day of class, but you can upload it as
many times as you want till you get it right.
 
 During the entire semester I encourage you to communicate with me
     ---in class or by email or during my Zoom office hours---
 about what you find difficult or confusing so that I can better help you
 in your learning process. I am not your adversary but your facilitator for
 learning the course materials.
 
 You have been doing calculus until now, with different
 degrees of success and stopping points. Now we are moving on to use
 knowledge of derivatives and integrals in understanding how differential
 equations work. We would like to understand the underlying concepts,
 not just be able to follow some recipes. Whenever you forget the meaning
 of a technical term, you are encouraged to ask me (please interrupt!);

you will be doing the class a service since others may also need reminding.
 
 Some of you will like me and others will not. This is a fact of life.
 Remember that teaching is my number one priority here at Villanova and I want
 to help you. Let me do that by communicating to me when you feel I am not
 helping you, in class or after class.

If you get a chance before our first class watch this 9 minute YouTube video that
shows a physical problem using the mathematics we will work up to by the end
of the semester, two coupled damped oscillators, which is a simple model for
realistic damping of the swaying motion of tall skyscrapers.
       massdampers.htm

 thanks,
 bob
 [You can call me "bob", "dr bob", or "dr jantzen" depending on how
 formal you wish to be. See the "bob teaching FAQ" for the "dr bob" story.
 I will try to learn your first name or preferred nickname if you help me by not
 being an "invisible student" (one who seeks minimal interaction with the instructor).]

bob jantzen

http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/robert.jantzen

http://www.drbobenterprises.com

PS did you make it all the way to the bottom?

good thing hardly any of your professors send such long welcome

messages, eh?