[From the syllabus:] During the first class meeting we discussed and agreed upon a narrative model of grading for course assessment. This means that I will regularly meet with you and discuss and evaluate your learning in this course. I will meet with you every three weeks, beginning week 3 (weeks 4, 7, 10, finals). I will soon post a document on how to prepare for our meetings. At the end of the semester, I will need to assign you a grade, and we agreed upon a contract model. This means that so long as you make an honest attempt at your assignments you will earn an A. If you do not complete your Remodeling Project you will earn an B. At least 80% or each of the quizzes and problem sets need to be completed to earn an A, with 60% earning a B.

Reflection #1, week 4

  1. [Preparation.] How has your previous experience (e.g., coursework) prepared you for this course? How do you feel prepared? How do you feel under-prepared?
  2. [Magnitude of learning.] Just focusing on your learning over the past few weeks, what areas do you feel like you have learned the most? Why? Be specific.
  3. [Ease of learning.] What material have you learned most easily?
  4. [Difficulty of learning.]What material have you had the most difficulty learning?
  5. [Future difficulties.] What difficulties do you foresee having in this course?
  6. [Future successes.] What successes do you foresee having in this course?

Reflection #2, week 7

Reflections from this week should begin with week 4’s material (problem set and quiz 03) through week 6 (the shortened week of break with no quiz/problem set).

  1. [Quizzes.] The quizzes are based on the week’s reading. How have the readings been going? To what extent have they prepared you for the quizzes? How have the quizzes been going for both you as an individual and collaboratively as a group?
  2. [Problem sets.] How have the problem sets been for you: are they challenging or too simple? In what ways? How has collaboration been working out? To what extent have you used the keys to look over your work?
  3. [Learning.] Please comment on how learning is going: what is coming to you more easily? With more difficulty? why?
  4. [Remodeling project.] Since our last reflection meeting you have embarked on the Remodeling Project where you have chosen and read a focal paper, as well as presented the paper and methods to the class. What have you found most challenging to far in this process? What have been the biggest surprises?
  5. [Work outside of class.] For each course credit at Colby the expectation is that students spend on average 2—3 hr/wk outside of class on course work. For this 4-credit course, this means I have an expectation that you are spending 8—12 hr/wk. Please estimate how much time you are spending on this course outside of class so we can align expectations with practice.

Reflection #3, week 12

Reflections from this week should begin with week 7’s material (problem set and quiz 05) through week 11 (problem set and quiz 09).

  1. [Quizzes.] Please update me on how the quizzes are going: are you feeling like you are able to work through them based on the reading? How has the collaborative aspect of the quizzes been helpful? For the next reflection meeting we won’t be talking about quizzes: any final remarks?
  2. [Problem sets.] Please update me on how the problem sets are going: are you feeling like you are able to work through them individually? How has the collaborative aspect of the problem sets been helpful? For the next reflection meeting we won’t be talking about problem sets: any final remarks?
  3. [Remodeling project.] Since our last reflection meeting you have at least created a minimum working model for the Remodeling Project. What have been your successes in this project so far? What have been your challenges? How are you planning to ensure that you finish the project by the last week of class?
  4. [Work outside of class.] For each course credit at Colby the expectation is that students spend on average 2—3 hr/wk outside of class on course work. For this 4-credit course, this means I have an expectation that you are spending 8—12 hr/wk. Please estimate how much time you are spending on this course outside of class so we can align expectations with practice.

Reflection #4, finals

This final reflection will be one where we look at the course in its entirety. Please write and submit your comments on the following.

  1. [Ungrading.] How did this model of grading—not being quantitatively assessed, but receiving verbal feedback on class (Monday after p-sets are due and immediately after every quiz) every few of weeks—help you learn? Hinder your learning? Did this model affect your motivation? Explain. Any ideas of how I could improve for next time?

  2. [Remodeling.] How did this go for you? What did you like? Dislike? Do you feel like you learned a lot? Nothing? What did you learn in terms of concepts and skills? If you could change one thing about the assignment, what would it be and how strongly do you feel about it?

  3. [Course leaning outcomes.] Below are the learning outcomes for the course. Please comment on the degree to which you believe you met these.

    1. Have gained an appreciation of the art and science of modeling.
    2. Be versed in theoretical ecology, which includes understanding ecological topics on single-species population dynamics, structured population dynamics, spatial dynamics, two-species population dynamics, and multi-species dynamics.
    3. Be versed in theoretical ecology, which includes understanding and applying mathematical/analytical tools and topics on equilibrium, stability, chaos, and stochasticity.
    4. Be able to build, analyze, and present ecological models using the R programming language and environment. This includes understanding and use of R data structures, functional programming, libraries for simulation and analysis of ecological models, and dynamic reports/documents using R Markdown Documents.
    5. Be able to (re)create a scientific model. The “Remodeling Project” will include assessing and choosing a peer-reviewed model that can feasibly be recreated, recreate the model, and critique the model.

  4. [Miscellaneous.] Any feedback on the course to help me improve it is welcome.