Welcome to PSYC 757 - Should we meet in person?

[Patrick McKnight]

Most of you know me but if not, I am Patrick - your instructor for this course (and professor here at GMU in the human factors program).  I added each of you to the Google Group so you can participate in online discussions.  The online discussions are routine for this class so this is not related to GMU's COVID-19 response.  Additionally, I post regularly but not terribly frequently about topics you may all find useful in your pursuit of Bayesian statistics knowledge.  

Here is the current (but soon to be slightly updated) version of the syllabus:  HERE

Before I get too involved in welcoming you and offering you more materials than you prefer to read, I ask that you reply to this note with a simple YES or NO.

Should we meet in person or remotely via Google Meet or Zoom?  I don't really care about the platform but I do care about whether any of you have any reservations about meeting in person.  Thus, answer...

YES:  if you prefer to meet in person

or

NO:  if you prefer we meet remotely

Hope this note finds you all well.  Please do reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Cheerio,

Patrick

[Patrick McKnight]

By my count and by some serious computations lead by one of the big 3 accounting firms Dewey, Cheetham, and Hao, the YES leads the NO votes 5 to 4.  

BUT....and I say this with great firmness, the NO votes carry more weight due to potential ramifications of infection and such.  I am taking extreme precautions because I have a young child at home and one on the way (shhhhh!).  

Some of you offered further details about why a "NO" was warranted - beyond just not wanting to commute to campus.  I prefer to meet in-person because I think (yes, just a belief without proper empirical evidence to support such belief - we will get to that in great detail during the semester) in-person teaching is a more efficient and effective way to connect with students.  If plans unfold that we do meet remotely, I will make sure all accommodations are set for each and every one of you.

NOTE:  I see 16 people registered for the class.  Given that I see only 9 responses, I assume that the 7 silent students either don't care or don't care enough to muster the enthusiasm for voting.  Not to be too political but our system of governance (and decision-making in this class) depends upon people voting.  Please vote.  Thanks for those of you who voted, we have some evidence.  I will provide you all with some interesting Bayesian statistics shortly on those votes.  Stay tuned.

[Patrick McKnight]

Brendan was posted sideways...here he is.  He needs a proper picture.

On Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 5:30:24 AM UTC-4, Patrick McKnight wrote: