Spring 09 Oceanography Classe ended

The student average was around a C, but of course that isn't too informative since the grades were curved (infact its really just a redundant statement). We had less lab work than previous times running the class, but that was to spend more time in class going over the course topics. Most students felt that they would've liked more labs. But, I tend to find that whatever work they are given they don't like and would rather do something else. I do think that next time I will include more about organisms in the ocean throughout the course, and maybe start on the final chapter or two (which focus on life in the ocean) rather than end with them. I definitely need to do more things throughout the course to capture and recapture their attention. This might mean doing pencil and paper lab /during/ the lecture. I also included a short talk on the recent blue whale sighting off of Long Island in this class, and they seemed really interested in that. Earlier we had viewed a video of an undersea volcanic eruption that was happening that week, and that also seemed to capture their interest. I will have to make sure to include more 'current events' type of things throughout the course next time (assuming I am selected to teach it in the fall)