Mathematics & Science Tutorials Sub-Forum

Hootenanny

I'll take that as a no then . Oh well, back to the chalk board

Astronuc

I like what Neil Turok said in his TEDtalk - "That's progress - when we prove things wrong". We're making progress!

Well sometimes things don't go according to plan - but if one waits long enough - maybe they do.

Actually it's not that bad. The postings in M & S Learning Materials come and go.

Evo

The problem is that only the main forum listing was changed, all of the subforums still say "tutorials", isn't that what is causing the confusion? If we change all of the tutorial subforum titles that might do the trick.

Hootenanny

It may very well be the case Evo, I had noticed that the sub-forums had remained unchanged but didn't really want to bring it up.

Another possible reason is one which I have previously raised,
New members, who are perhaps in a hurry to get their questions answered, won't bother looking through the guidelines or forum titles to see which is the most appropriate. Instead, they will probably just post their question in the first forum they see, which happens to be the Learning Materials forum. I apologise in advanced for making such a general statement of new members.

Astronuc

May be should have called it "Reading Room" or "Reference Section"?

Perhaps we need a sticky - "Post Questions in HW and discussion Forums".

Evo

<smacks Hootenanny on the forehead> You should have said something. I haven't been in this thread since it started, or I would have mentioned it. We need to change the subforum titles to see if it will help.

I agree, and the biggest problem is failure to pay attention.

Hootenanny

I think "learning materials" is the most explicit title we can give the forums, personally, I don't know how anyone can interpret "Math & Science Learning Materials" as a place to post questions and/or request homework assistance.

In my opinion it's more a matter of laziness: "I can't be bothered looking for the correct forum so I'll just post it in the first one I see".

Hootenanny

Ow! Well, I suppose should just be grateful you didn't use a fish.

Thanks for all your efforts Evo, I didn't realise quite how tenacious you are .

Evo

*pelts hoot with chum* Just for good measure.

That's probably the nicest way I've been described, most people just call me annoying.

Now we've got to get Greg or chroot's attention and ask them if they will change the rest of the tutorial titles.

Astronuc

I was reflecting on the university library in which I spent a lot of time. They had a reference section.

I was thinking along the lines of Mathematics & Science Reference Room/Section. Basically it's for reading - not writing. But of course one can make a contribution - but that should be tutorials/lessons - not homework or other questions. That's what the other forums are for - and that is why I proposed restrictions on writing permissions. Set that section for -r--, except for approved contributors who get -rw-. But perhaps that too restrictive. AFAIK, the PF policy is to be as least restrictive as possible, but that also makes it easier for spammers and others who don't pay attention or otherwise.

Evo

I agree.

Hootenanny

As I have said in previous discussions, I totally agree with restricting posting permissions to the Learning Materials Forums, either based on post count, or preferably restrict posting to HH's, SA's, Mentors & Admin. I know that Greg wants to keep PF as open as possible, with as few restrictions as possible, which is rightly his decision.

However, I would like to point out that the likelihood of a new user posting something useful in the Learning Materials forum is negligible. That said, even if a new user or non-HH/SA wishes to post something in the Learning Materials section users could be allowed to submit their contributions to SA's/HH's/Mentors via PM/e-mail. The proposed tutorial could then placed in the SA/HH forums for review or posted straight away in the Learning Materials Forum. Personally, I have no problem with users sending me PM's/e-mail, especially if they were willing to contribute something to the forums; however, I understand that this may not be the case with other SA's/HH's/Mentors. I also realise that this will increase the workload for Mentors rather than reduce it, however, restricted posting permissions would in my opinion increase the academic integrity of the Learning Materials.

Hootenanny

Damn your efficient Evo, I've just noticed that they've been changed . Thanks again for your efforts!

Evo

Thank chroot, I saw him online and pm'd the request to him.

Hootenanny

In that case, thanks a lot chroot!

P.S. I'll send some more chocolates for you Evo when I get chance

Astronuc

Or, since Kurdt is taking Evo to Death Valley, you could take her to some place like - Pike's Peak, or if high places aren't a good idea, how about the Great Salt Lake, or Bonneville Salt Flats!?

If you like lower places, there's always the Dead Sea.

Kurdt

I think we're going to Yellowstone now, or perhaps the Caribbean.