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

In my 920am class, I was able to finish the lecture of all the coordinate systems, which is included in the exam on Friday. I was also able to finish all the exercises on the Right Ascension/Declination coordinates using the department’s one and only (for now) Star Globe.

I gave them the second group assignment, although before I could suggest it, some students requested having different groups this time. I said that all those who wanted to switch groups are allowed do so. Unfortunately, they were the only ones who wanted to change groups; all the other groups were okay with it. So they were stuck with the same group members.

In my introductory programming class, we took up the last type of loop, the for-loop, which, just like in their exercise last Wednesday, is best suited for statements where the exact number of repetitions or executions is given. I also taught them that the integer variable (counter) that indicates the total number of executions in the program doesn’t have to be used in the statements.

Then I told them about the things I have noticed during their hands on sessions, about knowing how to use the visual basic help, and saving programs before executing them in case the run hangs.

I also told them the two ways to prevent getting endless loops, which is first: make sure the variable used in their exit condition is being manipulated inside the loop’s statements, and second: see that the condition for exiting the loop is achievable.

Lastly I gave them a program example where the input statements were inside the loop instead of being asked before the loop was executed.

I told them that we’re going to be discussing more complex loops in the succeeding meetings. We’ll probably have our second long exam in two weeks time.

In my 1250pm class, first I said I’d entertain questions about their altitude/azimuth assignment. Unfortunately, only one student brought a compass, so I only taught his group how to use it. After that, I gave them the decision of either having the rest of the RA-Dec exercise first or the recitation/review for the exam on Friday.
They opted for the recitation first so that those finished with the Star Globe exercise could leave as soon as that was through. Surprisingly, we finished with that in around 30 minutes, as well as the rest of the RA-Dec exercises. I left the empty classroom at 150pm.

In the 230pm class, again only one group brought a compass. I also reminded them that they could catch the moon in the west in the mornings for the first week, in the east in the afternoon on the second week, and in the east in the evening on the third week.

After that I gave them the second RA-Dec exercise, wherein I gave the coordinates and they had to give the constellation. I also said if the name of the star was given and they did not identify it, there would be a deduction. But if the name of the star wasn’t given, and they were able to identify it from their notes, there would be a bonus.

I don’t think I was able to mention last Friday that I saw my thesis advisee in the hall going to the library, but he greeted the co-teacher I was with, but didn’t seem to see me. Not that I wanted to call his attention anyway.