Instructions for Program on Basics of Calculus

You can follow these instructions. The program you want to start with in Step 4 is q_a_cal1_1_13... and it is located under Calculus I. I recommend that you start with the first assignment and work through at least the first 13 over the period of the next couple of weeks. It's optional, but I recommend you also send me the SEND files so I can be sure you're getting it and help you in case you aren't.

Log into Blackboard and select the Supervised Study Current Semester 'course' under Courses You are Taking.

1. (Estimated Time: Time to download about 1 mB, plus 1 minute to access the page and 10 seconds to run the program): Click on Course Documents button on the left side of the screen and run the program VBRUN60.EXE according to instructions at that location. This will ensure that your computer will be able to run the other programs you will be using in your course.

2. (Estimated Time: 1 minute to locate the program, 10 minutes or so to run and briefly answer questions): Under Course Documents run the program q_a_prelim. You might have already run this program according to instructions received by email. This program creates a folder on your computer to which other programs used in your course will write information. If you do not at least open this program those other programs will not work. You should also answer the questions and submit the SEND file, as instructed, so you know how to use this interface.

3. On the Course Documents page scroll down to and click on Downloads (about the 5th item down). Then click on the link to your course.

4. There is a Query program (the first one) and for most courses one or two q_a_ programs. The Query program starts with the word 'Query'. The q_a_ program(s) start(s) with q_a_. It is recommended that you copy all three programs to the folder c:\vhmthphy, or if you prefer to the desktop of your computer, or to any other location of your choice, so you can easily access them.

5. Run the first q_a_ program from the location to which you have saved

it:

Click on Start, Run. Then browse to that location (c:\vhmthphy or wherever; if you put an icon on the desktop you can of course use it

instead) until you find the program and double-click on the program. It should open. Select home user (type in 1 when prompted) and type in your name when prompted, and when asked for the assignment number type in that number (e.g., for asst 1 type in the number 1) and OK your choice.

When the form appears click on the Next Question/Answer button near the top left. A question will appear. I suggest that you work out answers to questions on paper because often subsequent questions will continue a question that has already been asked.

When you have answered the question you will click in the Answer Box (the blank box near top right) and type in your answer to the question. When you have finished you will click on Enter Answer and the correct solution will appear in the Question box. Compare your solution to the given answer and then in the answer box type in your self-critique. If your answer is completely equivalent to the given solution you can just click in the Answer box and then click Enter Answer. If not then you should address every point on which your solution did not agree with the given solution or did not include some aspect of the given solution. You do this by explaining exactly what you do and do not understand about the given solution.

6. When you have completed the program email me and attach the SEND file the program has created in the c:\vhmthphy folder. The file will contain in its filename the word SEND, the date (e.g., 0229 for Feb 29) and the name you gave the program, so it will be easy to recognize.

It takes a little while to get used to the process but after a couple of assignments you will have the feel of it.

If you have trouble with any step of this process please email me and tell me exactly which instruction you were following and precisely, keystroke by keystroke, what you did and how the computer responded.