Math 134AB Intermediate 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 128B, 127B, or 125; a minimum grade of C is required to continue in the Math 134AB sequence.

III. Required Materials

1. The cost of the book, Math 134AB Personal Academic Notebook includes the computer license fee. The fee is non-transferable/non-refundable and it is valid for one semester.  Be sure to bring the textbook receipt on the first day of class. 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 paper
6. post 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 assignments are listed on the blue computer score sheet.

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 five points for each missed assignment and you will lose 3 points for each late homework or incomplete homework.

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 hours 20 minutes per week 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 course. 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.

Don't forget to scan your LancerCard when you enter or leave the MRC.

VI. Grading Policy

VII. Testing Policy

There will be 5 tests (paper and pencil, off the comput4 tests ) in Math 134A, and 4 tests and a comprehensive final exam for 134B.

Tests are given on the date designated on your instructor's testing schedule.  There will be NO MAKE-UP TESTS.

1. Each topic test contains a few questions from previous topics.
2. All tests are given in class.
3. Tests are not timed except for the final in Math 134B.  There is a maximaum of 2 hours for the 134B final exam.
4. All tests are closed book.
5. No test may be taken from the Center.  If a test is taken from the Center, you will receive an F for the test.
6. Any student involved in cheating on any test will receive a grade F for the test.  Any further incidents will result in expulsion from the class.

VIII. 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 bring your blue progress card, completed homeowork, the computer score sheet and blank "lined" paper when you are ready to take the test.

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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