Maybe I shouldn't have started this blog now, not with everything that's been going on.

To return to where I left off yesterday, I had my introductory programming class right after the first astronomy class. I taught them four of the five basic types of loops, and their differences (check the condition before executing the statements and vice versa; execute the statements if the condition is true, exit the loop when the condition is false, and again vice versa).

I taught them the two most frequent uses of loops. One is for checking user input: repeating the request for data to be entered until it is valid, and displaying an error message otherwise. The other is for complete program repetition: enclosing the whole code in a loop and asking the user at the end if they want to repeat the task or exit the program.

I then gave two examples of very simple loops that were used in numeric tasks. I showed them the use of the execution table, where the columns depend on the variables manipulated on by the loop, and each row represents one execution. This would appear in their future exams, so they have to know how to fill them up correctly.

Instead of giving the fifth type of loop (for-loop, for a specific number of executions), I had them practice on execution table instead.

Onto my 1250pm class, I finished our discussion on the constellations, finally. I could schedule their next test for July 25 now. Afterwards I told them about the optional field trip again, and the first group work. With thirty minutes left to spare one student boldly asked that I start with the new lesson next meeting, but I said they would be behind the other classes again by Friday if I did that.

So I explained to them the first of two celestial coordinate systems (Right Ascension/Declination) which is like the geographical coordinate system (Longitude/Latitude). That was enough to keep them on
par with the other classes.

I also had to pick someone to get the waiver form for the field trip and the personal constellation grid photocopied. When I said the person I picked would get a plus five that’s when they all volunteered, too late.

In my 330pm class, I was surprised to see the Testing Office representative out in the hall. I could have sworn our arrangement was for them to go to my class on Friday. He said I could reschedule, but I decided to let them use my time then. I only went in to get the students’ groupings, and told them that they could get their long exam results later in the department after the class. I didn’t quite explain to them that someone else would be taking up the class time, so they were surprised when I started backing out of the room after talking for five minutes.

I will tell them about the group work and the field trip tomorrow.

My thesis advisee also called up this afternoon. He said if he showed up with his thesis paper tomorrow, would I be able to return it to him, proofread, by the afternoon, because he had to give it to the panelists by Thursday. He’s very confident that I’ll approve his revisions by Thursday already, and at least one of his panelists does not know yet about his proposed defense schedule. I told him to just bring over the paper when he can.