OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Getting on the bus

The recently installed GPS technology in Stingers (as well as those already in Trolleys) certainly has a lot of potential. While the information is updated every 25 seconds, relaying the information online to students is not entirely efficient. Considering the size of our campus and the relative ease of walking, it is important to have convenient and reliable, yet quick transportation options. Looking online in a dorm room to track transportation options might not be the best answer.

The GPS technology will help evaluate the routes' efficiency and reliability, and if a flaw is found, hopefully a quick solution can be produced. In addition, the Parking and Transportation department plans to add countdown timers to some of the bus stops by fall. This should be more effective than the website since it is on-site and requires less effort then the tracking. The department also should reach its goal of a Stinger and Trolley at their respective stops every six minutes with the help of GPS.

Physics in motion

The announcement by the School of Physics to change the format of its Physics I tests is a welcome response to students' complaints. By adding free response to the previous multiple choice format, students will have a better chance to accurately reflect their knowledge. This change should parallel Physics II in that students can receive partial credit for their work.

While it is true that minor errors in calculations can cause huge problems in real life, the majority of times, people work in teams where errors can be caught by other teammates and calculations can be checked using calculators and computers. Considering this, it is fair to offer students an opportunity to receive partial credit.

It is important that Physics I tests effectively evaluate a student's knowledge. After implementing required attendance, GPA's for the class were still low. Tech students are intelligent, so when a large percentage of students miss a question or questions, it is time to reconsider how instructors can better tailor what they teach to reflect what is being tested, regardless of format.

In other Physics news, the self-paced Physics I course, which was popular among students taking it, was removed from Oscar halfway through fall registration. The School of Physics states that it is evaluating the performance of the course and bringing it back. Hopefully it will return by spring and not be put on the back burner.

The School of Physics has undergone a lot of changes and its willingness to address issues and adapt to students' needs is essential to success in the much-maligned department.