Course support
We expect everyone will have questions at some point in the semester, so we want to make sure you can identify when that is and feel comfortable seeking help.
Lectures and labs
If you have a question during lecture or lab, feel free to ask it! There are likely other students with the same question, so by asking you will create a learning opportunity for everyone.
Office hours
The teaching team is here to help you be successful in the course. You are encouraged to attend office hours during the times posted on the home page to ask questions about the course content and assignments. A lot of questions are most effectively answered in-person, so office hours are a valuable resource. I encourage you to take advantage of them!
Make a pledge to stop by office hours at least once during the first three weeks of class. If you truly have no questions to ask, just stop by and say hi and introduce yourself. You can find a list of everyone’s office hours here.
Ed Discussion
Outside of class and office hours, any general questions about course content or assignments should be posted on Ed Discussion. There is a chance another student has already asked a similar question, so please check the other posts on Ed Discussion before adding a new question. If you know the answer to a question that is posted, I encourage you to respond!
If you have questions about personal matters that are not appropriate for the class discussion forum (e.g. illness, accommodations, etc.), you may email Professor Tackett at maria.tackett@duke.edu. If you email me, please include “STA 210” in the subject line. Barring extenuating circumstances, I will respond to STA 210 emails within 48 hours Monday - Friday. Response time may be slower for emails sent Friday evening - Sunday.
Academic support
There are times may need help with the class that is beyond what can be provided by the teaching team. In those instances, I encourage you to visit the Academic Resource Center. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers free services to all students during their undergraduate careers at Duke. Services include Learning Consultations, Peer Tutoring and Study Groups, ADHD/LD Coaching, Outreach Workshops, and more. Because learning is a process unique to every individual, they work with each student to discover and develop their own academic strategy for success at Duke. Contact the ARC to schedule an appointment. Undergraduates in any year, studying any discipline can benefit! Contact ARC@duke.edu, 919-684-5917.
Mental health and wellness
DukeReach: Provides comprehensive outreach services to identify and support students in managing all aspects of well being. If you have concerns about a student’s behavior or health visit the website for resources and assistance. Go to studentaffairs.duke.edu/dukereach
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS services include individual, group, and couples counseling services, health coaching, psychiatric services, and workshops and discussions. Contact CAPS at (919) 660-1000
Blue Devils Care. A convenient and cost-effective way for Duke students to receive 24/7 mental health support through TalkNow. Go to bluedevilscare.duke.edu
Technology accommodations
Students with demonstrated high financial need who have limited access to computers may request assistance in the form of loaner laptops. For technology assistance requests, please go here. Please note that supplies are limited.
Note that we will be using Duke’s computational resources in this course. These resources are freely available to you. As long as your computer can connect to the internet and open a browser window, you can perform the necessary computing for this course. All software we use is open-source and/or freely available.
Course materials costs
There are no costs associated with this course. All readings will come from freely available, open resources (open-source textbooks, journal articles, etc.).
Assistance with Zoom or Sakai
For technical help with Sakai or Zoom, contact the Duke OIT Service Desk at oit.duke.edu/help. You can also access the self-service help documentation for Zoom here and for Sakai here.
Note that we will be making minimal use of Sakai in this course (primarily for announcements and grade book). All assignment submission and discussion will take place on GitHub instead.
Zoom will be used for online office hours as well as as a backup option should we need to hold the course online instead of in person.