Optional, but if you are interested, I would to offer the following ‘writing workshop’ or tutorial model to address any tangible advice associated with the long-answer, open-book, problem solving questions.
Category Archives: lectures
Guidance and improvements for next test
hi fellow ecologists,
I have a had a few emails asking how to learn from test and improve. Thank you for asking. Absolutely, next week I will put together materials to help us improve for next test and learn from this one. I want to do this for everyone as class.
- Nov 11th lecture I will bring correct responses for multiple choice and also the detailed marking key for long-answer questions.
- I have some great critical thinking materials for long-answers, and we will explore that together too.
- Next test has no multiple choice, and we scored higher on long answers.
- Long answers and problem solving explanations are SUPER practical for both upper-year courses where there is no multiple choice and also for life and professional skills.
- As stated, I want to apply a 2% bump to the scantron scores (four free correct questions), but I will explain how this works in class on Nov 11th and how I will know if I allowed to do it.
Template for long-answer part of test tomorrow
Here it is as .docx
template-for-long-answer-test-ecology
and again as a .doc
template-for-long-answer-test-ecology
You are welcome to use this template. Not required but just trying to help.
Basically, ensure you have your name and student ID on each page.
One-page, single-spaced maximum for each answer.
test prepped, woot woot.
Format
exactly what we discussed on Friday.
- Part 1. In-class. Independent. Scantron. Memory. 40 Qs. 20%
- Part 2. Take-home with turnitin. Pick ONLY 2 of the 5 questions I provide you. Each worth 5% = 10% total. Due at 11:59pm same day or sooner. Just giving you extra time. Welcome to discuss, look up, plan, but then type up individually as it will plagiarism check.
Test total is 30% of your grades in this course.
Tips
- Do all readings once if you understand them.
- Study from slide decks, your notes, and the practice test Q listed here.
Course policy on missed tests
The course policy is aligned with the recommended policy of York University.
If you are sick on the day of a regular test or have a family emergency, you are expected to provide an attending physician statement clearly stating you were ill on that specific date and incapable of coming to campus. Other issues require similar documentation. I am trying to be fair to all students and ensure that everyone has an equal change of doing well.
If you provide the above documentation, it is also the policy of the university for a course director to offer a ‘make-up’ test. This is often during the final exam period in December after regular classes end, and it is a complete new short and long answer test. This course will also adopt this policy and the make-up will be during final exams.
Good luck studying this week, and I hope the practice questions, slide decks, and answers we did each week in class are helpful.
Practice test answers
By popular demand, here are the correct responses to the practice today.
Q | A |
1 | a |
2 | b |
3 | a |
4 | b |
5 | c |
6 | d |
7 | a |
8 | b |
9 | e |
10 | e |
11 | c |
12 | b |
13 | e |
14 | c |
15 | c |

Instructions for test this week (practice)
- Please bring a pencil to complete scantrons.
- Please bring ID.
- Please ensure you enroll in turnitin section for the marker to be able to check these tests (and mark the real ones next week).
Remember, two-phase test.
Multiple choice, hand in scantron in class.
Takehome part 2 you submit via turnitin.
Practice test this Friday, Oct 14th.
This Friday we are doing a practice test. It is the EXACT same as the real test the following week but with just fewer questions.
It is a two-phase test.
Part 1. Scantrons. It is a multiple choice, quiet independent completion in lecture slot. Once complete, you hand in scantron for grading.
Part 2. Turnitin due at 10pm same day. Medium to longer answer. You are welcome to stay in lecture room and work on it, work in groups, get help, look stuff up online, go home or go to a computer lab. Whatever you do, it is due at 10pm to turnitin.com typed up and will be run for plagiarism check. So, you can work in groups for sure but please type up the final answer yourself and submit individually.
Competition week
Love the the paper!
post them here. Textbook AND reading.