Dixon BIO: Recent Episodes
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists,
Lecture Exam 3 closes tonight at 11:59 pm. If you have not accessed Tegrity to ensure proper function please do so before 5 pm today as I will not be available after that time.
This week you will peer review one of your classmate's genetic disorder presentations. You can find the person you are assigned to in the Week 15 folder. You can find the appropriate peer review document in Course Resources. To choose the appropriate peer review document you will need to determine whether your person is presenting on a non-aneuploidy or aneuploidy disorder.
Week 16 and Final Exam folders are available to you. You will find exam and lab practical review quizzes within them. You will use Tegrity to proctor your Final Lecture Exam and Final Lab Practical.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. However, please keep in mind that I have 4 different sections of lecture and 4 sections of lab. Pretty please make sure you have access to everything you need, and that everything is functioning properly before due dates approach. It is impossible for me to troubleshoot everyone's issues at one time.
If you are worried about your success in the course, withdrawing with a "W" is still an option.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists,
I hope everyone is doing well. Lecture exam 3 is approaching. The exam will be proctored using the McGraw Hill Tegrity software. I posted details on how to access and use the software in the weekly folder. Please get acquainted with the software this week so that you will be ready to record yourself during the exam next week.
I also wanted to update you on the final exam schedule. Like everything else, your final exam will be pushed back a week. This means that your final exam will open Monday, May 11 and close Thursday, May 14 at noon (12 pm).
To make sure that everyone is now on the same page with the transcription lab, I made a video demonstration. Please watch it and email me if you still have questions.
Hi Biologists,
I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to update you on the final exam schedule. Like everything else, your final exam will be pushed back a week. This means that your final exam will be available to you on Tuesday, May 12.
Also, Wake Tech is still allowing withdrawals with a W, given the circumstances. If you do not think you will be able to successfully complete the course this semester due to illness, lack of internet, power outages, academics, etc. please contact me. Students not adhering to the attendance policy (missing assignments) will also be withdrawn with a W.
Please find the meeting info for today's lecture below.
Hi Biologists!
I hope everyone is maintaining. I enjoyed watching your videos. Like some of you, I am a homebody so I've been using my time wisely. My 1-year-old has been giving me a run, however. I think she has cabin fever. Here is a video of her doing her version of a workout while my husband counts, LOL!
Your week 11 assignments are due tonight by 11:59 pm and your Week 12 assignments should be available. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, comments, or concerns. Currently, email is the best way to reach me. If you would like to set up a face to face virtual meeting we can do that as well, just email me to schedule an appointment.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists!
I hope everyone is maintaining. I enjoyed watching your videos and I was impressed with the creativity (i.e. PowToons, iMovie, Cammeron's acting, etc). Like some of you, I am a homebody so I've been using my time wisely. My 1-year-old has been giving me a run, however. I think she has cabin fever. Here is a video of her doing her version of a workout while my husband counts, LOL!
Your week 11 assignments are due tonight by 11:59 pm and your Week 12 assignments should be available. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, comments, or concerns. Currently, email is the best way to reach me. If you would like to set up a face to face virtual meeting we can do that as well, just email me to schedule an appointment.
Please find the meeting info for tomorrow's lecture/lab at 11 am below. Please be prepared to discuss the Week 11 objectives. I will more than likely call on students randomly to discuss the topics (just like in the seated class). Look over your Week 12 assignments and bring any questions you may have to the virtual class tomorrow.
Hi Biologists!
I wanted to check in with you to make sure everyone is clear on the plan moving forward. We will only meet on Wednesdays at 8 am for lab if necessary. If necessary, we will meet virtually through Microsoft Teams, just like yesterday. As of now, your weekly lab assignments will be available in the lab folder. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists!
I wanted to check in with you to make sure everyone was clear on the plan moving forward. We will meet through Microsoft Teams on Tuesdays only at 11 am, and you will complete a silent discussion or FlipGrid on (or by) Thursdays.
It is my recommendation to you to continue to complete your assignments using your seated schedule. Even though the course is now delivered online, which allows you great flexibility, time management is key. So continue to complete your lecture assignments on Tuesdays and Thursdays and your lab assignments on your designated days.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Please find the meeting info for our April 7 virtual meeting below:
Hi Biologists!
I didn't post a Week 8 - Checking In last week since I had already posted several other announcements. I hope this post makes up for it, however. In Week 8, we were finishing up our discussion on cellular respiration and are hopefully more familiar with aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration, and fermentation. Cellular respiration is a pretty involved process so I posted a recorded lecture so that we could take through it together. A recorded lecture will also be posted for photosynthesis in Week 9. If you need further assistance with grasping the concepts of respiration and photosynthesis please do not hesitate to bring your questions to me during student office hours. The case studies should help you to apply your knowledge. Questions similar to the case studies will appear in the written response section of Lecture Exam 2.
Lecture Exam 2 will be opening up soon. Please be aware that the exam will only be open for 3 days and it closes on a Saturday. This is due to Spring Break! A study guide and review quiz is available in the Week 9 folder. I also suggest that you all form study groups to prepare for this exam.
Please reach out to me if you have questions about the genetic disorder project. You will not want to wait until the last minute to get started on this assignment.
As a heads up, I will be making a slight adjustment to the syllabus schedule that will impact your assignments for Week 10. The details will be in the Week 10 folder.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists,
I enjoyed watching your discussion videos this week. You mentioned some interesting things. The following was mentioned in one of my other online sections that I thought was really interesting.
- Documentaries/movies: Unnatural Selection, Afflicted, and Pandemic
- CRISPR Cas-9
One of the first things to come to mind with the mention of Pandemic is the current rapidly rising cases of Coronavirus. Now, a virus is not considered a living thing, it needs a host to reproduce. The host is typically a cell or the cell's of a living organism. Here is a article I found in the NY Times that talks about the potential of this virus to become a pandemic: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/02/health/coronavirus-pandemic-china.html
I saw in the news this weekend that 4 people are being monitored for Coronavirus in Charlotte. SCARY!!!! So close to home! Direct Link to Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article240100413.html
If you are wondering, I am working to have all of your discussion and lab assignments graded as soon as possible. Assignments that are not submitted in Blackboard by the due date will not be accepted.
I have graded Lecture Exam 1 and grades can be found in My Grades. Please stop by during students office hours if you want to view your exams.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists,
You mentioned some interesting things this week in your discussion board posts such as:
- Documentaries/movies: Unnatural Selection, Afflicted, and Pandemic
- CRISPR Cas-9
- I also saw a cute little baby!
One of the first things to come to mind with the mention of Pandemic is the current rapidly rising cases of Coronavirus. Now, a virus is not considered a living thing, it needs a host to reproduce. The host is typically a cell or the cell's of a living organism. Here is a article I found in the NY Timesthat talks about the potential of this virus to become a pandemic: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/02/health/coronavirus-pandemic-china.html
I saw in the news this weekend that 4 people are being monitored for Coronavirus in Charlotte. SCARY!!!! So close to home! Direct Link to Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article240100413.html
If you are wondering, I am working to have all of your discussion and lab assignments graded as soon as possible. Assignments that are not submitted in Blackboard by the due date will not be accepted.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists!
This week you will learn about cells and how important cells are to all living organisms. Dysfunctional cells are detrimental to the well-being of living organisms, and can lead to life-threatening diseases and death. In graduate school, I did research on prostate cancer. Myself, and the team that I worked with were interested in what makes African American men more susceptible to the condition. We identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with increased risk of prostate cancer for African American men. If you would like to learn more about this research click here. Or you can find a copy of the paper in this week's Independent Practice (IP) folder.
Now that we are entering Week 5 of the semester everyone should be acclimated to the online environment. Everyone should have their lab kit and any other required materials. Any missing assignments will become zeros after 11:59pm tonight as the submission links will become unavailable.
As a reminder, today is the last day to take Lecture Exam 1 in the testing center.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
C. Dixon
Hi Biologists!
This week you will learn how enzymes work. You will also be preparing for your first lecture exam. Please remember to reserve your spot in a elearning testing center through SmarterProctoring.
I enjoyed watching your FlipGrid videos. You guys did an awesome job! One thing though, when responding to other classmates in FlipGrid please click on the response icon on the video you would like to respond to in order to record your response. Also, keep in mind that the discussion board should promote conversation and responding to classmates that have responded to your post counts as a response for you.
I have received emails with assignments attached. Please understand that assignments that are emailed to me will not be graded. All assignments should be submitted in Blackboard. Moving forward, your initial attempts will be graded as is. Please make sure you have addressed all parts of assignments before submitting.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Hi Biologists!
This week you will focus on the versatility of carbon. You will learn how to name and identify organic compounds and explore the characteristics of four organic compounds most essential to life. One suggestion, as you complete your assignments moving forward, is to complete the independent practice activities as you read the textbook and SoftChalk lessons. This will help you to be more active in your learning.
Also, don't forget to go back to the Week 1 folder to resubmit The Study of Life SoftChalk for grading.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Hi Biologists!
This week you will focus on the versatility of carbon. You will learn how to name and identify organic compounds and explore the characteristics of four organic compounds most essential to life. One suggestion, as you complete your assignments moving forward, is to complete the independent practice activities as you read the textbook and SoftChalk lessons. This will help you to be more active in your learning.
In regards to lab, I understand that some of you are still awaiting your lab kit. The Week 2 lab assignments will be accepted for the remainder of Week 3 to allow time for everyone to receive their lab kit. I received a list of names for those who have ordered the kit. Please be reminded that the lab kit is required for this course. Students who fail to order the kit will be withdrawn from the course.
Also, don't forget to go back to the Week 1 folder to resubmit The Study of Life SoftChalk for grading.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Hi Future Biologists!
As you are finishing up your Week 1 assignments Week 2 assignments will become available. The SoftChalk lessons for Week 2 should be functional. I will work on resolving the Week 1 SoftChalk lesson issue and give you an update by tomorrow. Once the issue with the Week 1 SoftChalk has been resolved you will need to complete the Check Your Knowledge questions within it to receive credit. The SoftChalk lesson issue should not hinder you from completing your Independent Practice assignments, however.
In Week 2 you will focus on learning how to use the periodic table and discover the unique properties of water. Please use the chapter objectives to guide your learning. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns that are course content related please post in the Course Cafe within Collaboration, this allows me to answer the question once for the entire class. Any personal questions, comments, or concerns can be emailed to me directly. More details about your Week 2 assignments can be found in the Lessons area.
C. Dixon
Hi Future Biologists!
Welcome to your General Biology I online classroom. I'm looking forward to a great semester. I hope you are prepared to take on this very demanding 16-week course. If you are up for the challenge and are fully committed to completing this course please proceed to the Getting Started area. There are several tasks you will need to complete so you do not want to procrastinate. You should introduce yourself by 11:59 pm Thursday, January 9 and complete your first assignments by 11:59 pm Monday, January 13. Get started sooner than later to give yourself time to take in all of the information and to complete all of the tasks in a timely fashion.
C. Dixon
Hi Future Biologists!
Welcome to your General Biology I online classroom. I'm looking forward to a great semester. I hope you are prepared to take on this very demanding 16-week course. If you are up for the challenge and are fully committed to completing this course please proceed to the Getting Started area. There are several tasks you will need to complete so you do not want to procrastinate. Your first assignments are due by 11:59 pm Monday, January 13. Get started sooner than later to give yourself time to take in all of the information and to complete all of the tasks in a timely fashion.