Professor Escobar,

I just left the testing center and I cant believe this. I was never aware (it said nowhere in syllabus, midterm study guide, etc.) that the test would be an hour and a half long. I was under the impression it was an hour long because all it said was to "show up an hour before the testing lab closes" 

I was forced to guess on about 25-30 questions because I was unaware of this. I failed the test because of this, and it will now be impossible to pass this class. I am just so frustrated because I just studied through sickness, nonstop, so I could get a good grade on this test... And it was for seemingly nothing? 

I don't find this to be fair at all because I was never informed that I had an hour and a half to take the test. Please tell me there is something we can do about this.. I am in no way blaming you for this but I feel as if I can't accept blame either. PLEASE help me out here. I can't fail this class

MY RESPONSE


Chris,

It has been clear to me, from the very beginning of the term, that you have struggled with every aspect of this class.

You had trouble uploading your profile picture to Moodle.
You ordered your textbooks late and did not get them until well after the term had started.
You failed to post anything in either of the first two forums.
When you did post, your confusion about not seeing other student posts clearly illustrated that you had not read the instructions I had provided to all students about how forums behave.
When the midterm exam deadline was one day away, you were the only student to ask for an extension.  (This, after you had specifically asked me to give you another copy of the syllabus.  The syllabus is very clear about late work and the "window" of days exams can be taken.)
AND THEN, after I granted an extension (for which I was under no obligation to grant), you showed up to the lab just 1 hour and 20 minutes before it closed, and now you are complaining about lack of time?  Unbelievable.

The link to the lab's testing hours has been visible for weeks.

The text from an announcement I sent to all students reads:
Although there is no time limit to the test, and most students will complete the test within one hour, you must complete the test before the testing lab closes.

Your "being under the impression" that it would be an hour long just shows how wrong you've been about everything.  Most of the students DID complete the test within an hour.  A number of them went over an hour, but at least they did not procrastinate until the last hour that the lab was open.  How can I guess how long any student will take to complete any test?  That is why I do NOT enforce any time limit upon my students.  Only you can do that to yourself by showing up an hour before the lab closes.

You are correct about one thing.  I am NOT to blame for your situation.  However, you are completely wrong about your other assertion.  You ARE to blame, whether you decide to accept it or not.

You are currently failing this class with a 42.6% F

If you were to earn 100% on each the 4 remaining forums, score 100% of the final exam, and complete both extra credit assignments at an acceptable level (weeks 8 and 10), the highest grade you could earn by the end of the term would be a 71.3% C-

You have until the end of the 8th week of the term to make any schedule changes, such as dropping the class.