Course Description: Real number system, rations -math.html">order of
operations . Algebraic problem solving, solving linear equations. Cartesian
coordinate system , graphs of equations. Exponents and radicals . Factoring
polynomials , solving equations by factoring . Credits not applicable toward
graduation. A grade of C or higher is required to take Math 110, 130, or 155.
(Note: as a “not-for-graduation” course, this course does not fulfill part of
your general education requirement.)
Text: Introductory Algebra: A Real World Approach.
By Ignacio Bello. Published by McGraw-Hill, 2006.
Course Goals:
1. Students will demonstrate their readiness for learning
algebra.
(a) Students will take ALEKS assessment.
(b) Students will work through pre-algebra ALEKS modules indicated as necessary.
2. Students will improve their mastery of algebraic
skills.
(a) Students will take ALEKS assessment of algebra knowledge and skills.
(b) Students will work through the ALEKS modules indicated as necessary.
(c) Students will take indicated quizzes and exams to demonstrate their
learning.
3. Students will develop their ability to apply algebraic
thinking and procedures to problem solving.
(a) Students will work through the ALEKS modules that focus on problem solving.
Course Procedures:
ALEKS: ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) is a web-based
program de signed to carefully assess what students know and what they are ready
to learn, and then to methodically tutor them in the given material, in this
case Introductory Algebra.
An advantage to using ALEKS is that since it is web-based
you can work on your course at your convenience. ALEKS will remember where you
left off and will always make sure that you have shown readiness before
presenting new material.
I will be blending my use of ALEKS with a more traditional
classroom system . Because this course is a pre-requisite for further courses,
and because virtually all of you are using this course to prepare for some
subsequent course (generally 110, 130, or 155) it is important that we cover an
adequate amount of material. One way to use ALEKS would be to simply allow you
to each work “at your own speed”, but that approach could easily mean that some
of you would not get through enough material to succeed on the final exam or to
be ready for that next course. Consequently, I am planning to try to move the
class along at a pace which will allow us to cover the desired material. I will
be using ALEKS as a “structured homework” system.
By the way, even though you will be expected to do a
considerable amount of ALEKS work on your own time, it is very important to
understand that it is important to DO YOUR OWN WORK! If you get someone else to
do the work you will only be frustrated when ALEKS thinks you know more than you
do and starts asking questions you are not ready for. Also the exams must be
taken on your own so having someone work through the on line material for you
will not help your performance on those exams, and hence on your grade for the
course.
Textbook: The textbook we will be using is
published by McGraw-Hill, who also handles ALEKS for institutions of higher
education. Our text has been precisely integrated with ALEKS, so that you can
use your book for explanations, worked examples and practice problems as we move
our way through the course material. In fact I will be using a feature called
“textbook integrations” in which the material will be presented in the same
order as the book covers it and quizzes will be given as you finish chapters in
the text.
Grading System:
During the semester, points will be amassed from the following items:
| Attendance: |
55 |
(1 point per class) |
| ALEKS time: |
50 |
(80 hours logged onto ALEKS is the
minimum requirement)
Note: for each hour less than 80, 1 point will be subtracted |
| ALEKS quizzes: |
100 |
(a 10-point quiz at the end of each
chapter) |
| Exams: |
300 |
(three 100-point exams) |
| Final Exam: |
150 |
|
| Total: |
655 |
(approximate – may change a bit) |
So I expect there will be approximately 655 points
possible during the semester. I generally use a scale of 90% for an “A”, 80% for
a “B”, 70% for a “C” and 60% for a “D”. You should notice that the credit for
attendance and for the time spent logged into ALEKS are entirely within your
control; I would suggest that you plan to earn these points.
I am occasionally asked if there is something students can
do to earn “extra credit”. Apparently this is actually occurs sometimes in high
school, but generally you will not find it done in college. Your grade should be
an indication of how well you mastered the material covered in the class, not
whether you did some unrelated additional assignment . So, no, there will be no
“extra credit” available.
The key to success in any mathematics course is to put in the effort. You need
to make sure you spend adequate time in ALEKS, but you also need to do textbook
problems, and you need to make sure you understand how to do the problems.
Disability Statement
If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids,
services or other accommodations for this class, please see me and/or Jane Eddy,
the campus ADA coordinator (MC 322 in the Learning Center, 796-3194), within ten
days to discuss your needs. I want to include taking exams in the learning
center under this category; you will need a written request from Jane Eddy
before I will allow you to take exams there.
