Frequently Asked Questions

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These are questions that students often ask about Aplia assignments ...

Q: My computer crashed so I couldn't finish my assignment on time. Can you reopen it for me to finish it?

A: No. As with every class, this class gives students an opportunity to take responsibility of what they do, which is a key aspect of what we call maturity. Students make their own decisions as to when to do the assignments before the deadline. The window for doing an assignment is at least one week, which allows for most unexpected problems that can be resolve within days. If you *choose* to start an assignment shortly before the deadline, you will be taking the risk of not being able resolve those problems before the deadline. This is the outcome of your own choice.

Nevertheless, while you should learn to take responsiblity of your own action, we know that no one is perfect, so we also give students two free passes for any excuses. By the end of the semester, the lowest two Aplia scores from the 12 assignments will be dropped, including those missed assignments.

Q: It is unfair to me that I missed a bonus assignment because I missed a class or I didn't have a chance to complete it?

A: We give all students an equal *opportunity*, but not equal credit, to every assignment. This is how fairness is defined. Unlike exams that are course requirements, bonus assignments give students simply an opportunity to earn extra credit. Students are not required to do them, and there is nothing to lose for not doing them.

What's in a degree? These are some answers from the perspectives of economics ...

Q: Why is a college degree important for your future income?

A: The obvious answer is that a college education provides skills that raise productivity. Instead some economists offer an alternative explanation, known as signaling. This concept is based on the idea that job applicants know more about their own productivity than potential employers do. A college education is a signal of certain desirable characteristics that people inherently possess, such as self-discipline, and the ability to meet deadlines and follow instructions. Employers value these characteristics because they typically lead to success at work. Having completed college is a signal about a job applicant's inherent characteristics.

Whether a degree is evidence of greater skills or simply a signal of a person's certain characteristics, employers value it and so should you.

Q: So, what about the math, science or economics classes in the Core Curriculum?

A: If the signaling theory is correct, then it doesn't matter what students actually learn in college but as long as they graduate. Yet evidence shows that the type of courses that students take also matters. Hamermesh and Donald of UT-Austin found that for the same major, students who take more science and math courses earn more.

So, don't think your Core classes have nothing to do with your future!

Q: I have a high GPA, but why is economics so difficult for me?

A: As with every subject, economics is not for everyone. At least at TAMUCC, the economics principles courses stand out from other Core courses in terms of their focus on critical thinking. Like math and other science courses, economics requires you to be precise about what you say or write. This element of economics, which is found in logical expressions, posts a tremendous challenge to some students, like those who think 98 is no different from 100. Still that's not it. Economics is also a social science, which requires us to look at the world from different perspectives. And because economics deals with reality, which is often more complex than it seems, students who lack analytical abilities tend to find this subject particularly difficult to learn.

This also explains why the average starting salary of ECON graduates is higher than the average starting salaries of graduates with many other majors other than engineering. Economically speaking, you tend to earn more if you acquire more skills that are valued in the labor market.

Q: What makes an "A" student in your classes?

A: There are two types of "A" students in my classes. The first type are "super-A" students, who are more intelligent and also more disciplined than their peers. These students typically score over 100 on the course average (yes, >100%). The second type of A students are those who might not be as intelligent as those "super-A" students but they are willing to pay the "price" for an A. They simply try harder than others. Because they attend most classes and complete all extra credit assignments, they earn an above 90% course average mostly because of all the bonus points they have received throughout the semester.

In a sense, the classroom mimics the real business world. "A" students tend to be punctual and have good work ethic, which are key elements of success for employment. This means that how you behave in the classroom tells a lot about your achievements throughout your life.

Questions Students Love to Ask After the Final Exam:

Q: Can you extend the deadline for the last assignment? I was not able to submit my assignment by the due date because I had to go leave town for the university, I had a tough work schedule, my computer broke down, my vechicle broke down, I was sick, my dog was sick ...

A: Absolutely not. You must first understand that a due date or deadline is not the time for you to start working on the assignment. Rather, it is the latest time that you should submit your assignment by. This means that you can always complete your assignment before the deadline or due date. In this course, you will have at least ONE WEEK to do any online quiz or assignment. It is your responsibility to make a decision on when to take it or work on it whenever it is available for you. If I extend the deadline for you, I need to extend it to everyone and so I need to extend it to those who can't complete it by the extended deadline, and so ... After all, the assignments in this class is nothing but to test your discipline and not to give you an opportunity to come up with creative excuses.

Q: For those who still don't understand the answer to the last question: Why is the professor so strict about a deadline? I already had it done by the deadline but just that I am too busy to submit the assignment.

A: Students always expect leniency in school. The purpose of education is to prepare students for the real world.
Would you expect to board a plane after its door is closed? Case closed. It is a fact that students who often miss deadlines or have lots of excuses tend not to do well in classes.

Q: I am just ONE point short of an A. How can I get that extra point?

A: There is absolutely NOTHING you can do for that extra point. There are always some students with an average a bit below the cut-off line for a grade. There is a lot you could have done for that point BEFORE the semester is over, but never after. If you can get a point because you need it, it is totally unfair to all other students (all those having a higher, the same or lower average than yours).

Q: I spent more than 5 hours studying for the test but then I got a very low score. Something must be wrong with the test. Would you give me what I deserve?

A: No, your test score is what you deserve. Grades are given according to your performance, not what need or what you believe you should get.
There is no guarantee that the more time you spent in studying for the exam, the high will definitely be your score. After all, studying 5 hours or even 10 hours before the test is not the way to learn any subject. You should have spent some time regularly throughout the semester. The recommended amount of time is 10 hours a week for each course for an average student (e.g., scoring 1,000 on SAT). If you are less prepared, you should spend more time.

Q: I do well in other classes but not your class. I think something is wrong with you or economics.

A: Just like every subject, economics is not for everyone. Economics requires a great deal of analytical skills, which are the reason why economics graduates on average do better than others in starting salaries and employment upon graduation.

Q: I need an A in this course. Can I do any extra work after the exam?

A: No. In this course, there are more bonus points and extra work opportunity than anyone can imagine. Every student has an equal opportunity to get all bonus points available before an exam. However, no one can get a single extra point after a course grade is assigned. Otherwise, it will be unfair to other students who do play by the rule.

Q: I went to class every time, but how come I still get a D?

A: Going to class doesn't guarantee you anything. Being in class also doesn't mean you are paying attention. On the other hand, if you somehow manage to get a 90 even though you never came to class, you will still get an A. Again, your performance determines your grade, and nothing else. This is also how the outside world works: Your boss will not reward you if you don't perform.

Q: I need a B to keep my scholarship so I deserve a B, don't I?

A: Grades are not given based on needs, but your performance. Every grade comes with a price (opportunity cost). Student performance depends partially by the endowment of human capital (your training and analytical skills) and efforts (time spent in class and teaching material), so the price that you pay depend on these factors.

Q: My friend got 20 bonus points, why I got only 2 points? This is unfair!

A: You got exactly what you earn. The reason why your friend got 20 points is because he/she earned 20 points, and the reason you got 2 points is because you earned 2 points. Ask yourself this question: Would that friend think it is fair that you also got 20 points even if you didn't earn them?

Etiquette

Q: How come my professor can't answer my question via email like "what's the topic for the next assignment?"?

A: This is a rude question that you won't dare to ask anyone on the street. Your professor has different classes, each has different assignments. The chances are he doesn't know which class you are in and he doesn't want to waste his valuable time to find out which class you are in before answering your question.
Here's an advice: When you communicate with the professor via email, identify yourself with your name, class and section.

Q: I need an A in order to keep my scholarship. It's not fair that my professor doesn't help me out.

A: First, a grade is what you earn based on your performance, not you needs. Second, the fact that you lose a scholarship because of a poor grade means that you don't deserve that scholarship. It will be unfair to other students if you get a scholarship that you do not deserve at all.

Q: It is unfair to me that the professor is not willing to do me a favor when I need it.

A: Simple answer: It will be unfair (to all other students) if the professor indeed does you a favor. Tell this to other students in the same class.

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