PHY 231 - Introductory Physics I

CAPA Instructions

Using the Computer-Assisted Personalized Assignment system (CAPA) is optional. We encourage you to work in groups and discuss problem solving strategies and then work out your individual answers on paper before you login to the computer. Each assignment sheet has your Name and also a specific CAPA ID number. Each set has a different CAPA ID number and needs to be picked up each Friday in class. Teachers for this class are available to assist you in your learning in the Physics Learning Center or via our web-based learning network at http://www.nscl.msu.edu/phy231. We suggest the following approach:

Discuss the problems with fellow students and define the concepts needed to solve the problem. Solve your individual assignment on paper and be careful to consider the number of significant digits and units of the answer. Enter the answer into the computer to check if your answer is correct.

Logging into CAPA from campus

You can log into the CAPA system from any computer lab on campus. There are numerous computers connected to MSUnet, located in various buildings on Campus. Some of these campus locations are listed below, and the approximate number of stations is indicated. A complete list can be found on the WWW at http://www.mls.cl.msu.edu/microlab.

Labs	PCs	MACs	Labs	PCs	MACs
216 BH	33		210 CC		16
222 SKH	33		313 CC	17
B38 MCD	50		403 CC		17
15 WON	66		415 CC	17
128 HUB	13	16	500 CC	16
219 NKL		32	501 CC	17
112 OHP		28	WIL	40	14
339 CSE	25		Union	40	25
120 CEM	29	23	120 CC	17

A. On most campus PC's, first select the Class Software option from the main menu. Choose CAPA - Assignments, then select the host capa2. Read the instructions, i.e. at the password: just press the return key. You should then see the prompt login:

B. For most of the campus MACs, open the Class Software-1 folder and then open the CAPA folder. Then open the folder named capa2. A couple of seconds later you should get the prompt login:

C. From wherever you can do a telnet (with a VT100 terminal emulator), type telnet capa2.nscl.msu.edu. You'll next see the prompt login:

D. At the login: prompt type phy231f7 (note the small letters in phy231f7).

E. Enter your Student Number, hit return, then the CAPA ID which is at the top of your weekly assignment, and hit return. Follow the instructions on the screen

Logging into CAPA through MichNet

Access MichNet (by dialing 353-3500 in the Lansing area, the Computer Center has local number throughout Michigan).
Enter capa2.nscl.msu.edu as a host.

You then enter xxxxx@pilot.msu.edu (xxxxx=your pilot ID name), then your pilot password. You should next see the prompt login:
Follow instructions D. and E. above.

Entering problems into CAPA

You may repeat the problems you missed. IF you get an 'incorrect' response, there is help available for some of the problems. For some problems there will be a limit on the number of tries you have to solve the problem. You may login/logout as many times as you wish until the due date.
Credit cannot be lost once a problem has been graded 'correct' and after you exit CAPA by typing 'X' and the return key twice. You should see 'This message will last for only 10 seconds'.
Note: Do not 'open' multiple sessions. Be sure to eXit properly each time to terminate a session.

Using a browser to enter answers into CAPA

You can use a web browser to enter answers into CAPA. Point your browser to http://capa2.nscl.msu.edu/class.html

Select phy231f7 from the classlist

Enter your Student Number and CAPA ID

Enter one or more answers and hit the SUBMIT ALL ANSWERS button. You will only get credit after you hit this button. It is recommended that you hit this button after entering each answer.

Be sure not to have the "caps lock" or "shift lock" keys pressed when entering answers.

Exit the browser when you are done.

Good luck!

PHY 231

This document http://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/1997fall/PHY231/capa.html was last updated on 20 August 1997 by Thomas Glasmacher.