Math 128AB Elementary Algebra

Syllabus Spring 2007

I. Course Description

This course is taught using the concept of Mediated Learning. It is a highly interactive course and you will spend much of your time in front of a computer in the Math Resource Center (R408) with pencil and paper. Mediated Learning allows you more access to your professor during class, and requires you to be mored fully in charge of your learning. Your instructor or a student assistant will circulate while you work on your computer, so don't hesitate to ask questions. CD-ROM disks are used with this course. The disks are included in the Personal Academic Notebook. These disks will only work on the computers in the Center and will not work on any other system or personal computer. No computer skills are required for the course and you will, in 20 minutes, learn how to interact with your computer.

When we meet in class in R404, we begin the class with announcements followed by a mini-lecture or group work.

You should always bring the Personal Academic Notebook (PAN) containing the current lesson, along with pencil and paper as well as the blue book to class. Be sure to exchange phone numbers with your classmates so you have a study partner to reach when you are not in the Center.

II. Prerequisites

A minimum grade of C in Math 401C or 402; a minimum grade of C is required to continue in the Math 128AB sequence.

III. Required Materials

1. The cost of the book, Math 128AB Personal Academic Notebook includes the computer license fee. The fee is valid for two (2) semesters. Be sure to bring the textbook receipt on the first day of class. The Personal Academic Notebook (PAN) is a cross between a textbook and a workbook. The PAN contains summaries of all lesson concepts, sample problems, homework problems, practice tests, and more. At the back you'll find answers/solutions to odd- numbered homework problems. Be sure to bring the PAN containing the current lesson, along with pencil and lined paper to work the problems.
2. pencil, eraser, and hi-liter (accent marker)
3. headsets (Walkman type)
4. lined notebook paper and three-ring binder dedicated to this class
5. graph paperpost card (grade)

IV. Homework

This class has homework like any other college class. You are expected to spend an average of 2 hours per day outside of class doing homework.

The homework is assigned as follows (in PAN):

Explain Section: all problemsApply Section: odd-numbered problems
Explore Section: odd-numbered problems
Evaluate Section: all problems

Problems will be randomly chosen for grading. Please turn in your homework to your instructor according to the homework schedule assigned by your instructor at the start of class along with notes you took as you worked on the computer. You will lose one point for each missed assignment. Late homework or incomplete homework or incomplete lecture notes will not be accepted.

V. Attendance Policy

Active participation is essential for success and attendance is required. It will take approximately 60 hours of "online" time to complete the lessons plus review time and test time. It is your responsibility to contact your instructor and make alternative arrangements if work or other obligations create a conflict.

We meet 5.6 hours in the class/lab (R404/R408). Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to be on time and to remain for the entire length of class. You will lose one point for each class absence or tardiness. After the second absence your grade will be lowered by one full letter grade. After 4 hours absence you may be dropped from the class. As with other college courses, you are expected to do at least 10 hours of work each week for this course outside of class time.

VI. Grading Policy

VII. Testing Policy

There will be 5 tests (paper and pencil, off the computer) for each unit. In addition to topic tests, there is a comprehensive final exam for 128B. There will be NO Make-Up Tests.

• Each topic test contains a few questions from previous topics.
• Tests are not timed except for the final. There is a maximum of 2 hours for the 128B final exam.
• If you do not complete all the work required for taking a topic test (i.e., on- line work and homework), you will be given a make-up test instead.
• We encourage you to review the results of your test.
• All tests are closed-book tests.
• No test may be taken from the Center.
• Any student involved in cheating on a test will receive a grade of 0 (zero) for the test. Any further incidents will result in expulsion from the class.

VIII. Topic Test Schedule

To ensure 4 units of credit at the end of the semester, you must complete the topic test on or before the dates indicated below. Remember: This is not a self-paced course! You have the following schedule for the semester and are expected to keep up. If you fall behind, you will be expected to attend open lab on your own time to catch up. If you fall too far behind, a conference with the instructor will be required to work out a study plan. You must keep up, but you are also encouraged to work ahead.

Please click on your instructor's name to see your test schedule.

IX. Study Tips

1. Always bring the information on Mediated Learning and the current topic's Personal Academic Notebook to class every day.
2. The Personal Academic Notebook is easy to use because it has been designed to follow the structure of the on-line lessons. Please take notes as you work on the computer. For each lesson, complete all the homework problems in the PAN. Answers to the odd-numbered problem are provided in the back of PAN and the answers to the even-numbered problems can be checked out from the front counter.
3. Come to class on time and be prepared to study mathematics. Take good notes and ask questions about any explanation that isn't clear or any problem you cannot solve on your own. Remember that the answers to odd-numbered problems are in the back of your PAN's.
4. Get together with a study group in R407 to hash out problems that seem to be taking a long time to solve. Don't spin your wheels! Compare the way each of you solve the same problem.
5. Use the special features integrated throughout each lesson such as:
   • the Helpline (click on Red Phone),
   • Take a Closer Look (click on magnifying glass),
   • Link to EXPLAIN,
   • Expression Editor, and
   • Glossary (click on underlined words).
6. To prepare for the Topic Test:
   1. Read the lesson in the topic's Personal Academic Notebook before going into EXPLAIN.
   2. Do EXPLAIN, APPLY and EXPLORE on the computer. If your score is less than 80%, repeat the section until you achieve 80%.
   3. Do your work in the Personal Academic Notebook for the lesson including the Evaluate in the book.
   4. Take the on-line EVALUATE quiz. After getting your score on the EVALUATE online quiz, go through the quiz and take notes on the problems that you found difficult or did incorrectly. You cannot go back into EVALUATE once you leave it. Then, talk with your classmates, ask questions, and get help as soon as you can to correct your approaches to the problems. If you score 80% or better, you are ready for the test. Please bring your green progress card, your completed homework and the online EVALUATE score to the front counter when you are ready to take the test.

X. Dates To Remember

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