Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

I'm so glad you're considering my Remote ("Online" with regular weekly class meetings) STAT 243 class!

As a Statistics & Data Science teacher, I'm confident that everyone can learn to understand the Statistics and Probability methods we will explore in our class. You're here as part of your academic journey and I hope that we can work together to deepen and expand your statistical understanding this term.

Please know that I am here to support you and I appreciate you reaching out anytime you have any questions, be it a question related to our class, to you being a student at PCC, or anything else I can help and support you with.

In this Remote ("Online" with regular weekly class meetings) class, it is important that you read the corresponding sections of your textbook and view the assigned videos. Additionally, you will need to log in to D2L: for our twice weekly Zoom class time, to submit assignments & labs, and read your email (as I will send emails and post D2L Announcements several times a week), as well as complete weekly assignments using the Achieve interactive practice problems (an online homework system). 

This class will be an "inverted" class which will require viewing the instructor's assigned video(s) before each class meeting.  There will be a brief presentation at the beginning of each class meeting, followed by cooperative learning time.  Questions are encouraged and welcomed at all times.  I will do everything that I can to help you succeed in our class!

This course will require a significant amount of time.
You should plan to spend 5 hours a week watching, pausing, and reviewing the lessons. In addition, you should plan on spending 6 to 8 hours a week reading the textbook, viewing videos (before class meeting time), practicing problems, and completing your assignments.

The course meets via Zoom Monday and Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:50 pm. Classes will be recorded and only students in the class can view the recordings.

Virtually Proctored Exams: Proctored exams are one of the many assessment tools used in MTH/STAT courses to assess student learning. For in-person sections, exams are proctored in-person on campus during class time. For remote sections, exams are primarily proctored virtually by the instructor in Zoom during remote class time. For online sections, exams are primarily proctored virtually by the instructor in Zoom on dates/times scheduled by the instructor.  The exams in this class will be proctored virtually in Zoom with me, your instructor, on the following dates and times:

• Midterm date/time TBD on Zoom
• Final date/time TBD on Zoom

Virtually proctored exams involve the following technology requirements: 1) Access to a modern computer system with a supported operating system (OS) installed, 2) a broadband internet provider or mobile carrier with LTE or better service, 3) a microphone, and 4) a detachable webcam and/or mobile device (such as a smartphone, tablet, etc.). 

If you do not meet the requirements for virtually proctored exams, prefer to take your exams in-person, and/or have an unavoidable scheduling conflict, please contact me as soon as possible. Alternative testing arrangements can be made for virtual or in-person proctoring at a testing center given adequate notice and depending on testing center capacity and availability. Scheduling appointments with a testing center and communicating with the instructor is the responsibility of the student, as well as paying any associated fees with using a non-PCC testing center.

If you have accommodations through Accessible Ed & Disability Resources at PCC, please contact me so we can discuss your specific accommodations and how I can best support you.

If you have any questions or concerns about virtually proctored exams, please feel free to contact me as well.

*Virtual proctoring means having your exam proctored by an approved proctor on Zoom on a specific day and time. It is the student’s responsibility to find a quiet, isolated, and well-lit location.

**In-person proctoring means having your exam proctored by an approved proctor at an in-person testing facility on a specific day and time.

Please email me at: bret.rickman@pcc.edu if you have any questions about our course.

 You need to have computer and internet access at least several times per week. You will need to make sure to have the following (further details/instructions are given during the first week):

• a PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader) to read the PDF handouts, Microsoft Word (or Google Docs) and MS Excel (or Google Sheets) and internet browser (such as Google Chrome),
• a way to print PDF files for your written assignments (as needed),
• a way to view videos,
• familiarity with file management, email, and uploading documents.

Electronically submitted work will be uploaded to D2L. There are other possible options for submitting your work. Please contact your instructor if you would like to use an alternate method of submission.

We will be using Achieve online interactive homework system (cost approximately $39).

Web conferencing for office hours is available through Zoom.